Mudassir Sheikha’s Inspiring Entrepreneurial Journey: From Karachi to Careem

From Karachi to a unicorn in the Middle East under his leadership, Mudassir Sheikha has had a story of ambitious innovation and purpose. Through Careem, which is the CEO and Co-Founder, Mudassir redefined mobility and tech for the region as it operates through 120 cities in 15 countries. With a background rooted in computer science and economics, and experience spanning Silicon Valley startups and global consulting firms, Mudassir’s mission was not just to create a business but to inspire change. Careem’s impact extends beyond ridesharing; it is a platform that simplifies lives, empowers people, and shapes the future of technology in the Middle East.

Mudassir Sheikha is the Co-Founder and CEO of Careem. He is a symbol of tech innovation and entrepreneurship in the Middle East. Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, Mudassir had an early passion for technology and a drive to create meaningful impact. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in economics and computer science and later earned a master’s degree in computer science from Stanford University.

His career started out in Silicon Valley, where he worked with startups like Brience, gaining experience in the area of venture finance at seed-stage companies. From there, Mudassir went back to Pakistan where he co-founded DeviceAnywhere, a company that went on to be acquired by Keynote Systems in 2008, thus opening the doors to entrepreneurship as a business venture.

In 2012, Mudassir teamed up with Magnus Olsson, a former colleague from McKinsey & Company, to start a company that would change lives. This was the origin of the idea for Careem-an organization that would help solve transportation problems in the region, building an organization that inspires. The name “Careem” is taken from an Arabic word that means “generous,” as the company aims to serve the communities with purpose and care.

Today, Careem is so much more than just an app for ride hailing. It has morphed into a full-fledged tech ecosystem offering food delivery, digital payment, and courier solutions across over 120 cities in 15 countries. Careem is the lifeline to millions in the region; it also made history in the Middle East by being the first unicorn -a privately held startup valued at more than one billion dollars—before its acquisition by Uber in 2020 for $3.1 billion.

Mudassir’s leadership style is more empathetic, innovative, and empowering. He can frequently be seen talking to the Careem Captains/drivers and taking direct feedback from customers to enhance the experience of users. This on-the-ground approach has made him earn huge respect within the organization as well as the communities Careem is serving.

Under Mudassir’s leadership, Careem has also pursued economic inclusion. The company has generated income opportunities for more than one million Captains who come from underrepresented communities. Moreover, Careem has focused on sustainability by introducing eco-friendly practices in its operations to reduce its carbon footprint. Mudassir is a thought leader and advocate for tech-driven solutions to societal challenges beyond his role at Careem. His vision for the future includes using technology to solve issues such as urban congestion, unemployment, and financial exclusion.

The story of Mudassir Sheikha stands out as an example of how vision, perseverance, and purpose transform lives. From his childhood days in Karachi to being the chief executive officer of one of the region’s most successful tech ventures, he has continuously made a difference. Careem’s success goes beyond mere numbers but has also touched many lives and inspired young entrepreneurs from across the Middle East and the rest of the world.