Team

Rachid Mohamed Rachid founded Bidayat to nurture, enable and connect creative communities in the MENA region and Europe, supporting the next generation of global creatives to grow beyond their borders.

Working within the creative community from luxury to mass-market brands and holding government positions in support of industries, he believes that access to talent, know-how, investment and networks are the key ingredients to unleash the power of creativity. Bidayat is a catalyst aiming to be the center of gravity of the creative economy.

Mr. Rachid is also the Chairman and Founder of Alsara International Investment Group, as well as Chairman of the prominent fashion houses Valentino in Italy and Balmain in France. He is an active investor in the luxury goods universe globally. An Egyptian national, Mr. Rachid was previously Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investment of Egypt. He was also the President of Unilever North Africa, which included some of Unilever’s largest international companies.

He is a member of Harvard Business School Alumni and a holder of “Cavaliere di Gran Croce, Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana” presented to him by the President of the Italian Republic. He is also a board member of the Katara Hospitality Group in Qatar and the Co-Chairman of the Virginia Commonwealth University Advisory Committee in Doha.

Tugba is passionate about working closely with creative founders, business owners and young talent to make their vision become a reality. She believes that creativity flourishes in environments where people are enabled via financial and operational support, mentored throughout their creative journey and given a global perspective via networks and innovation. She has accompanied several high-potential early-stage start-ups through exceptional growth. Often working as a strategic operating partner, she aims to accelerate businesses by focusing on building the necessary infrastructure for organizations to achieve their goals.

Having lived and worked in the various cultures of Asia, Europe and the USA, Tugba loves to look at community over differences. She is committed to building an ecosystem of creative entrepreneurs around the values of Bidayat.

Experience: Dr. Barbara Sturm, Frame, Good American, Kyra Entertainment, Wednesday Agency, Saturday Group, Li & Fung Limited, Fung Capital Europe, Hardy Amies London, Calmia

As an entrepreneur and marketing expert himself, Ahmed knows the value of being at the right place at the right time and meeting the right people who will help achieve one’s goals. He is a staunch believer in fostering connections that promote knowledge exchange and community to shape the future of new generations of creative entrepreneurs.

Ahmed is leading Bidayat Hubs, physical spaces for the creative community to access networks and get opportunities to meet, learn, work and connect with the wider Bidayat ecosystem.

Experience: Torasna, Egypt Tourism Promotion Board, Shaboury Associates, Aujan, Unilever

Omar’s extensive experience in finance and investments, both as a partner and a founder, gave him an appreciation that every story is different and every individual matters. Omar’s perspective helps Bidayat look at all nuances and seek out unique opportunities that help local entrepreneurs and businesses reach their full potential on a global scale.

Omar believes in working closely with each business as long-term partners to drive success; building on the past while providing the resources, knowledge and support to develop the future together.

Omar’s transactional experience ensures that Bidayat’s investments and businesses get started on the right foot and thrive within the right partnerships.

Experience: AlSara Investment Group, Arqaam Capital, Citigroup, Mashreq Bank, Beltone Financial, Akanar Partners

Chaouqi has held senior roles in digital, including eCommerce, omnichannel, big data, martech and more. Throughout, he has partnered with several brands to help champion transformation processes as businesses became more aware and more open to the potential offered by emerging technologies and systems.

Throughout his career, he has also accumulated a wealth of management expertise across different countries, helping him to paint a global picture of the luxury and retail industries.

At Bidayat, he continues to leverage this expertise to support entrepreneurs and creative talent in embracing their vision and ideas through the right digital tools, systems, processes and structure; refining their digital strategies to ensure they align with and support the overall business goals and needs.

Experience: VF Corporation, Ikea, Netik

Sara has dedicated her life and career to the fashion, art, beauty and related industries for more than two decades. Through it all, she has scouted new talent, supported emerging creatives and connected like-minded individuals to help them navigate their own journey.

By spearheading innovative projects, contests, new business ventures and platforms like Vogue Talents, Sara developed an understanding of the unique challenges and rewards that come with success in the creative industries. She provides strategic insights, connections and guidance to Bidayat to make sure a brilliant idea gets an opportunity to become a great business.

As a Senior hands-on Advisor to Bidayat, Sara is committed to be part of the change within the creative entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Experience: 10 Corso Como, Fondazione Sozzani, Vogue Italia, Vogue Talents, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, Camera Moda Fashion Trust, LVMH Prize, Woolmark Prize, Fashion Trust Arabia, Marangoni, Accademia Costume e Moda, IED

Having started his career as a designer and textile researcher, Andrea has collaborated with some of the most esteemed brands in Italian and global fashion. His passion for collaboration ultimately led him to fashion education, an area he still pursues by teaching fashion history and research methodology.

In addition to scouting talent, Andrea provides forward-looking guidance to Bidayat from exploring new media to topics like sustainability and globalisation.

Through all his endeavours, Andrea strives to help Bidayat be a catalyst for creative entrepreneurs to build the next generation of responsible brands.

Experience: Romeo Gigli, Trussardi, Cerruti, Les Copains, Bottega Veneta, Istituto Europeo di Design, Pizza Magazine, Wella Italia, Davines, P&G Prestige, Pernod-Ricard, Vogue Italia, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana

Having started his career as a business founder himself, Mehmet relates directly to the unique challenges faced by today’s entrepreneurs. He believes collaboration and long-term partnerships are key ingredients for responsible growth, as well as persistence, grit and determination.

Mehmet is dedicated to helping create future success stories by supporting creative minds with the right business plan, resources and know-how.

Mehmet brings his expertise in investments, board and operational-level guidance to Bidayat Investments to help enable a new generation of creatives.

Experience: Mayhoola, Valentino, Balmain, Beymen, Anya Hindmarch, Goldman Sachs

Catarina thrives in international environments and enjoys working with start-up businesses, helping them on their journeys from local to global. A Portugal native, she understands the unique challenges and opportunities for brands from the Mediterranean Basin.

With a strong career in finance as auditor, M&A and business performance manager, Catarina has an eye for details but never loses sight of the bigger picture. Over the past years, she has developed a pragmatic yet creative approach to advising brands also in areas such as fashion and e-commerce.

At Bidayat, Catarina will help challenge our investment decisions, and encourage our portfolio companies to look at opportunities and problems from a different angle.

Experience: Deloitte, Kloters, Branded, Bliss Body Experiences