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Talent Pipeline with Redwood Founders & Yadeam

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3 minute read

December 9, 2024

Written by:

Arfah Farooq

For Nabeel Sharif, Founder and CEO of Yadeam, attending MTF was initially about finding inspiration, but it quickly turned into something transformative —  a partnership with Redwood Founders that brought fresh talent and new insights to his mission in Islamic finance.

“This was my first MTF,” Nabeel shared, “and seeing so much talent in one place was beyond inspiring. It definitely gave me more impetus walking out of that event than walking in.” He came hoping to meet like-minded individuals and left with a powerful partnership that has since shaped his company’s direction. One of the standout connections was with Zain Mobarik, leader of Redwood Founders. “Meeting at MTF allowed us to formalise a partnership,” Nabeel explained. “Five interns joined us over the summer, three on development and two in business strategy, helping us move our MVP and overall strategy forward.”

These interns became essential to Yadeam’s growth, contributing to both tech and business development and helping Yadeam “push the boundaries with innovation.” What started as a summer internship has continued for some, with a few interns extending their roles. “It was a two-way street,” Nabeel said, “their work in tech and business development helped us, but it also gave them real-world experience in ethical finance.”

Reflecting on the impact, Nabeel described MTF as “a place where ideas, talent, and ambition converge.” He left the event inspired and is now committed to expanding Yadeam’s role in the community. As he put it, “Attending MTF was one of the best decisions we made, and it’s shown us just how much talent there is out there for us to harness.”

Beyond the immediate impact on Yadeam, the MTF experience has spurred Nabeel to think even bigger about his company’s place in the broader ecosystem of ethical finance. Yadeam’s mission, to address gaps in Islamic finance through technological integration and enhanced user experience, has gained new momentum thanks to the insights and enthusiasm brought by the Redwood interns. “There’s a significant gap in Islamic finance, especially around tech and user experience,” he noted, adding that the interns’ contributions have been pivotal in helping Yadeam explore innovative solutions to these challenges. The partnership has reinforced Nabeel’s commitment to using Yadeam as a platform that supports and nurtures young talent, fostering an environment where fresh perspectives are actively encouraged.

Looking ahead, Nabeel is excited to deepen Yadeam’s relationship with Redwood Founders and expand on this successful model of collaboration. Next month, Yadeam will present at a startup showcase hosted by Redwood in London, where they hope to connect with even more interns eager to join the company’s journey. “MTF was more than just a networking event; it was a place for meaningful growth,” Nabeel reflected. With plans to continue engaging the MTF community, Nabeel is optimistic that Yadeam’s journey will inspire others in Islamic finance to invest in partnerships that blend purpose with innovation.

In reflecting on the journey, Nabeel shared a quote that encapsulates the drive and mindset MTF instilled: “Those who think they can, and those who think they can’t, are both usually right.” This message serves as a reminder of the importance of confidence, determination, and believing in one’s capacity to make a difference — qualities that he believes Muslim Tech Fest has fostered.

Arfah Farooq

Arfah Farooq

Co-Founder of Muslim Tech Fest

Arfah Farooq is the co-founder of Muslim Tech Fest, Europe’s biggest gathering of Muslims shaping the tech world, and Muslamic Makers, a community helping Muslim changemakers thrive in tech and beyond. With a background in both public and private sectors, Arfah has launched impactful initiatives like the Number 10 Innovation Fellowship and a 1,500-strong product and delivery manager network for the UK Government. Recognized as one of Computer Weekly’s Top 11 Most Influential Women in Tech (2023) and a London Tech Week Changemaker (2018), Arfah is passionate about creating spaces where diversity drives innovation. When she’s not building communities, she’s researching and advocating for the next generation of Muslim women in tech as a Winston Churchill Fellow.