Haaris D. Sa’ad

Haaris D. Sa’ad (FIMC, AIBD, NBDSP) is a Nigerian/Ghanaian consultant, communicator, community builder, and entrepreneur. With over fifteen years of ecosystem experience, Haaris has a passion for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in underserved communities in Africa, promoting creative solutions to catalyze economic development. Haaris believes that “Entrepreneurship is the key to Africa’s transformation and not global pity…! ™.

Haaris works with entrepreneurs at, almost, all stages of their trajectory in bringing their ventures to life; from idea to scale;

“I help founders and founding team members across different ecosystems acquire the ‘DNA’ for setting up, launching, and scaling enduring ventures, making them market and investment-ready in the process. I support them through idea generation and validation, business modeling, developing an MVP, SWOT analysis, crafting strategy, team building, and many more…!” The ability to bring in expertise to support entrepreneurs in such diverse themes in MSME and Startup journeys has been the catalyst for growth and economic development.

Haaris currently serves as the FCT Coordinator for Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW Abuja) and Team Lead GEN Nigeria (FCT Chapter). Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEN’s flagship campaign) is a massive annual campaign that celebrates and empowers entrepreneurs – especially those individuals who face structural barriers or may have never considered the idea of launching their startup.

As the public face of GEN in the FCT, he has both internal and external facing responsibilities. Internally, he develops and manages a team that delivers on program goals, KPIs, and outputs. Externally, he is responsible for cultivating and nurturing relationships and partnerships to both help implement existing programs and initiatives and develop new clients interested in accelerating the performance of the FCT Entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Mentors raise a mentee’s confidence and problem-solving abilities. Along with developing leadership skills, having a mentor to advise and guide you can increase your confidence and help develop problem-solving skills. Regarding confidence, research has tied having a mentor to an overall increase in emotional health. Overall, giving back to the startup ecosystem and supporting emerging entrepreneurs is a way to make a lasting impact. By nurturing innovation, fostering economic growth, sharing knowledge, and promoting social change, you contribute to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that benefits society as a whole.

I’m a Social Impact Measurement expert, therefore, I’m always on the lookout for opportunities that create lasting social impact. Startups are often driven by a mission to create a positive social impact. By supporting these ventures, I’m able to align myself with causes and initiatives that aim to address pressing societal problems. Be it clean energy, healthcare, education, sustainable development, or any other area, contributing to the startup ecosystem can help drive meaningful change and improve the lives of many people.

The potential to generate new employment opportunities is another pull factor for me. As a startup grows, it typically requires a larger workforce, which can lead to job creation and reduce unemployment rates. By supporting startups, one can contribute to the growth of job markets and help individuals find meaningful and fulfilling work.

The ability to bring in fresh ideas to disrupt traditional industries, and contribute to increased productivity and competitiveness leads to rapid economic growth. Successful ventures can attract investments, generate revenue, and stimulate local economies. By giving back to this drive, you contribute to the creation of vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems that stimulate economic development.

Startups are often the hotbeds of innovation. By supporting the startup ecosystem, you help create an environment that encourages and nurtures groundbreaking ideas and solutions. These innovations can lead to advancements in various industries, address societal challenges, and improve the quality of life for many people.

As an experienced individual, you likely possess valuable insights, skills, and expertise. By sharing your knowledge and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, you can help them navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business. Mentorship can provide guidance, accelerate learning, and increase the chances of success for emerging entrepreneurs.

Engaging with the startup ecosystem allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, investors, and potential partners. By building relationships and collaborating with others, you can expand your network, learn from others’ experiences, and potentially identify new opportunities for yourself or your own business.