In a world increasingly interconnected and digitized, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been more critical. As cyber threats continue to evolve and pose significant risks to individuals, organizations, and even nations, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been taking proactive steps to bolster its cybersecurity ecosystem. At the forefront of this endeavor stands AHAD, an award-winning cybersecurity marketplace that has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s cybersecurity landscape.
“Our marketplace fills a crucial gap in the industry. Many organizations know they have cybersecurity challenges but struggle to find the right solutions. We offer a one-stop platform that saves them time and provides affordable, effective options,” says founder and CEO Muneeb Anjum.
With almost two decades of experience across the Middle East, Europe, and America, Anjum brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His previous role as the Country Head for the Cybersecurity and Risk division of a renowned German firm provided the foundation for AHAD's success story.
This journey began in November 2020, at the height of the pandemic when businesses were struggling to adapt. “Starting AHAD was a natural progression for us. The pandemic created a need for robust cybersecurity solutions as businesses rapidly shifted to digital platforms. We saw an opportunity to leverage our connections, contacts, and experience to make a difference,” explains Anjum. AHAD seized the opportunity to make an impact and quickly gained recognition.
One of the team’s proudest achievements was working on the prestigious Expo 2020, the first World Expo hosted by Dubai. “As a start-up barely six months old at the time, being part of Expo 2020 was a moment of glory for us. We proved that we could compete with established players and deliver exceptional cybersecurity services,” Anjum says. Expo 2020 was a game-changer, opening doors for AHAD to secure eight purchase orders from high-profile clients. This momentum propelled the company’s growth. Today, it serves over 48 customers, achieving multi-million dollar revenue figures in just two years.
AHAD's innovative approach also earned them the title of Most Innovative Company in the region by Sandbox and Dtech, an accelerator program by the Dubai government aiming to promote innovation and support startups.
What’s more, AHAD represented the UAE on the global stage at the Entrepreneurship World Cup, a global competition sponsored by Misk Foundation and in which they finished in the top 30 start-ups, out of 30,000 participants.
Today, AHAD is focused on expanding in Saudi Arabia and North Africa, where the team identified significant cybersecurity opportunities. Anjum sees immense potential in their subscription-based offerings as data privacy laws and compliance frameworks gain prominence in the Middle East and AHAD’s expertise becomes even more critical. “Our goal is to safeguard organizations’ critical data and ensure they can respond effectively to cyber incidents. We’re excited to continue growing, serving our customers, and exploring new avenues for innovation,” says Anjum.
Meanwhile, the team remains committed to supporting local talent and start-ups, participating in various events and competitions, engaging with investors, and enhancing their platform’s capabilities to serve a wider range of organizations, from SMEs and start-ups to government organizations.
“We are quite excited about the future and the customers we have onboarded. Our goal is to continue serving big names in the industry while targeting SMEs and start-ups and expanding our capabilities,” concludes Anjum.
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