WALID FAZA
B.com, MBA, CCIC
Date of birth: July 30th, 1978
Nationality: Jordanian / Canadian
Phone: +962 79 670 7899 (Jordan)
Email: walid@wamda.com
INTRODUCTION
Walid has been the Investment Manager for both MENA Venture Investments (2010) and Wamda Capital 1 (2012) which have collectively deployed approximately US$20 million invested in 70 companies spanning 12 countries that support ambitious entrepreneurs with strong growth potential through early stage and angel investments in various sectors. Companies in the portfolio include some of the region’s most successful stories such as Jabbar Group (Founders of Maktoob), Rubicon, The Entertainer, as well as international and regional funds such as 500Startups (USA), Neoteny Startup (Singapore), and Oasis500 (Jordan). Walid has been responsible for screening, structuring, executing deals for over 30 investments in both MVI and Wamda Capital 1, as well as providing networking opportunities, strategic direction and ongoing portfolio management to the companies that are based in the MENA region. Walid sits on the board of several companies and is an advisor to many startups and serves on the Mentorship Network of Mowgli, Oasis500, the Queen Rania Center of Entrepreneurship, amongst others. Walid has over 15 years of managerial, leadership and investment experience, as he previously worked as the Entrepreneurial unit coordinator at Aramex International, as well as the Regional support unit coordinator for the MIT Enterprise Forum for the Pan Arab Region Business Plan Competition. Walid obtained his MBA from the American University of Beirut and his undergraduate degree in Marketing from Concordia University in Montreal, during which time he established a music management company and founded a non-for-profit organization.
EDUCATION
2008‐2010 Masters of Business Administration – American University of Beirut
1996‐2000 Bachelor of Commerce – Marketing, Concordia University ‐ Montreal, Canada
1994‐1996 International Baccalaureate Diploma, Amman Baccalaureate School
EMPLOYMENT
2014 – To Date Investment Principal, WAMDA VENTURES (Amman)
Wamda Ventures will offer series A funding between $1 million and $3 million. The fund will aim to close with $75 million to invest in high-tech startups across the MENA region.
2010 – 2014 Investment Manager, MENA VENTURE INVESTMENTS LTD. (Amman-Dubai)
Investment Manager, WAMDA CAPITAL 1 LIMITED (Amman-Beirut-Dubai)
MENA Venture Investments Ltd. is a seed fund that provides capital, access to networks, mentorship and technical expertise to startups in the MENA region, managed a portfolio of over 65 companies with total fund value of over $18Million – responsible in closing over 30 deals. WAMDA Capital 1 is the funding arm of the WAMDA platform designed to empower entrepreneurs in the MENA region, managed 13 deals – closed 4 deals. (Please refer to attached deal sheet)
2010 – 2012 Entrepreneurial unit coordinator, ARAMEX INTERNATIONAL (Amman)
Regional support unit coordinator for the M.I.T. ENTERPRISE FORUM FOR THE PAN ARAB REGION BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION (Amman)
Worked in both capacities to empower entrepreneurs across the MENA region - screening, selection, judging, strategic advise and mentorship, and providing access to a network of training, coaching, consultancy and funding.
2009 ‐ 2010 Business Development Manager, MODERN ARAB DISTRIBUTION LTD. (Amman)
Pioneered strategic planning for the company, establishing company vision, mission and objectives. Initiated process re‐engineering initiatives for the company to ensure best practices in all departments. Management of companywide ERP implementation and WMS implementation. Identifying, attracting and sourcing new business partners for the company across all value chain activities.
2006 ‐ To date Director, 101 IMMIGRATION INC.
(Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Halifax, Kuwait, Montreal, Sanaa)
Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant, founder and manager of immigration services and consultancy firm offering residency and citizenship options. Affiliated with 8 regional offices.
2003 ‐ 2006 MIS Managing Supervisor, INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURS CANADA (Montreal)
Managing, developing, updating, training and executing all tasks related to the architecture of a custom made database which holds over 6,000 clients and networks with 12 national and international offices for Canadian Immigration services ‐in charge of facilitating all training and support for over 40 employees. Increased company efficiency by decreasing employee workload, significantly increased company efficiency by automating and streamlining all value chain activities as well as increasing company visibility and client base.
2002 ‐ 2003 Deputy Marketing Manager, RIVAGE Natural Beauty Products (Amman)
International marketing activities, presenting, training, establishing contacts and penetrating foreign markets. Responsible for revamping internet marketing strategies. Achieved a growth of over 200% in online sales within the first quarter. Dramatically increased export sales by establishing agents in Canada, United States and Australia.
2001‐2002 Executive, INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURS CANADA (Montreal - Amman)
Delegating and coordinating head office activity in Montreal with multiple offices located in the Middle East. Updating client master files, communicating with all agents and implementing quality control on activities to ensure customer satisfaction. Transferred to the Jordan office in 2002 to meet with clients, assess eligible candidates for Canadian immigration and effectively responding to client inquiries.
OTHER EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS
{C}· {C}Member of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC # R410639)
{C}· {C}2000‐2001 / VIP Account Executive, INSIGHT (Montreal) / Prospecting US clients for outbound sales of computer products and peripheries.
{C}· {C}1999‐2000 / Communications Coordinator, SOMEONE ELSE INTERNATIONAL (Montreal) /
Establishing an international music business network, developing contacts in the Canadian and European music industry for artist promotion.
{C}· {C}1997‐2006 / Artist Manager, PURUSHA & EYEINSIDE (Montreal - New York) / Management and career direction opportunities for talent in the music industry.
{C}· {C}Fully bilingual in English and Arabic. 2nd Level French.
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{C}· {C}Interests and hobbies include: music, reading (philosophy/psychology), health and well-being, recreational sports, diving and travel.