Exel by Merak

Faisal Sedrani is an entrepreneur and business consultant who has worked across technology, sustainability, and product development, launching and scaling ventures aligned with Saudi Arabia's transformation goals. He has experience in agile leadership, accelerators, and program management, and has developed robotics-based solutions addressing environmental challenges such as desertification. He holds PMP certification and completed the McKinsey Forward Program.

Alhokail has 18 years of experience in technology and investment across public and private sectors. He is Founder and Managing Partner of Merak Capital and Vice Chairman of Exel, and previously led business development for EY and Thomson Reuters in Saudi Arabia. He also founded Knowledge Connect Group and APT, and holds CME 1, CME 4 (ICWIM), and CME 5 (CISI) certifications.

Abdulelah Alshareef is a Vice President at Merak Capital, where he leads the Venture Capital team and helps shape and execute the firm's VC investment strategy. He has experience in the technology and telecommunications sectors. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from King Saud University.

Rema Alyahya is Vice President of VC Portfolio Management at Merak Capital, where she works on venture capital, strategy, and portfolio growth. She previously held strategy and investment roles at SRMG, and strategy, sales, and marketing positions at tech startups Wise Systems and SmartBear Software in Boston. She holds a BS in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship & New Venture Management from Northeastern University and has completed venture finance and corporate finance programs at Oxford Saïd Business School and JPMorganChase.

Adham Elsawy is a Finance Manager who provides advisory support to startups and growth-stage companies through accelerator programs in Saudi Arabia, including Merak Capital's Exel Accelerator, Plug & Play, and VMS. He previously served as CFO at Walaplus and oversaw financial operations at Steer Studios, a gaming subsidiary of SAVVY, where he handled budgeting, P&L modeling, and financial governance alignment.

Afaf Abu Sabha has a background in event coordination, marketing, and guest engagement, having supported large-scale events and conferences with several agencies. In her role as Executive Assistant, she supports daily operations and team functions.

Deema Almutairi is an Associate whose work centers on talent development and innovation. She designs and delivers programs in startup enablement, program design, and community building, focusing on developing skills and creating opportunities for emerging innovators.

Faisal Al Tamami is a Computer Science graduate of Prince Sultan University working as an IT Innovation Platform Specialist with experience in AI, cybersecurity, and IT solutions. He has worked with MasterWorks, Qoyod, and Merak Capital, helping startups and organizations build and scale technology solutions.

Faisal Alsharari works on startup growth and ecosystem development. He co-developed the Middle East's first Metaverse Academy in collaboration with Meta and Tuwaiq Academy, and developed skills through the Misk SPARK Fellowship and Startup School in areas including business modeling, MVPs, and fundraising. He focuses on supporting founders and the technology sector in Saudi Arabia.

Kassandra Attara leads innovation programs across the MENA region, focusing on growth and transformation initiatives. She has prior experience at Astro Labs and MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab, with expertise in program design, stakeholder management, and innovation-led growth.

Maha Albaloushi is a finance professional working in accounting and financial operations, currently an Accountant at the digital payments company Geidea, where she supports financial reporting and accounting processes. She previously served as a Junior Accountant at Raqamyah and completed a business consulting internship at EY. She holds an MBA from Al Yamamah University and focuses on finance, fintech, and digital payments.

Mohammed Abu Jubara is an industrial engineer with over eight years of experience focused on strategic planning, technical project definition, and data-driven market reporting. His work centers on connecting technical expertise with strategic value.

Sumit Gilitwala is a Senior Associate at Exel with eight years of experience across consulting, accelerators, startup market access programs, innovation labs, and venture capital. He has worked with clients in India, Vietnam, and the Middle East on digital transformation and strategic advisory.