Salem Aljawini
Salem is a serial entrepreneur and Investor with a background in Finance and Banking. He Holds an MBA from IE Business School and a B.Sc. in Finance from PSU. His experience ranges between consulting at PwC in Transaction Services “Deals,” banking at SABB/HSBC within the Global Banking Division where he managed a portfolio of multinational corporations, and later shifted his career into finding and managing VC-backed tech start-ups. He is passionate about innovation and creating an impact on all levels. Salem is actively involved with many start-ups and companies as an investor, board member, and advisor.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Q&A WITH SALEM
Define your experience in the IMBA in one word.
Remarkable
How did your experience at IE prepare you for your professional career? In what ways do you think the program changed your life professionally and personally?
When I decided to join IE’s IMBA program, my goal was to enhance my experience in several areas while being part of diverse environment to help me out in my career while working with multinational groups. Nevertheless, things took an unexpected turn as it was totally career changing, especially after being part of the “Venture Lab” at IE which was the main reason for me to consider finding a tech start-up and eventually branch out into multiple ventures and investments.
What was networking like in the program?
The networking was unmatchable. IE offers a great environment to network in-and-out of class with peers from different backgrounds and experiences. I recall our intake was represented by 52 different nationalities. I can’t think of any other place where you can have such rich experience in one place working together on a daily basis.
What was your favorite memory from your time at IE?
There are two. The first is the Venture Lab experience, and the other would be participating with the Football team in the MBA Tournament held at HEC Paris.
If someone was considering going to IE, what would you tell them?
Don’t think twice. The all-around journey IE offers is quite unique.
Why did you choose to study this program at IE?
For several reasons, the obvious one is joining a top-ranked business school with a strong entrepreneurial environment. In addition to the dynamic learning system, diversity, and the opportunity to learn a new language. Living in Madrid, close by the Santiago Bernabéu stadium was always a plus.
Tell us about the IE alumni community and the impact they have had in your life and/or career. Why do you think it’s important to engage with the IE alumni community?
I believe the alumni community is one of the best things that IE offers. Personally, as a business owner and an active investor, engaging with community post-graduation allowed me to uncover many business opportunities in different domains and markets. I view it as a way of continuing my learning journey with IE even when I am not in a classroom anymore.
As one of the contributors towards the Illuminated Bricks campaign, how does it feel?
I would like to thank IE for the initiative and allowing us to reengage and help in whatever we can. I am delighted to know that IE is utilizing these contributions to offer the opportunity to some bright minds from around the globe and equip them with the best academic and business skillsets in the university, this will eventually create an outstanding impact in their respective communities and the world.
What can we do within our IE Community to create an impact and support education?
To create more awareness within the IE network about such initiatives and expand them into new avenues.
What would you tell someone who was thinking about contributing?
If you can, do it. During our lives, most of us were lucky to have support in different forms and it is our duty to give back, and here is a great way to do it particularly knowing that such contribution is going towards someone’s education to experience what we once had.
If you had a billboard you could display to the entire world, what you would put on it?
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.