Snoonu Hosts UpScrolled Founder Issam Hijazi for a Conversation on Building Technology from the Region

Snoonu, in collaboration with the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Qatar, recently hosted UpScrolled founder and CEO Issam Hijazi at its headquarters in Lusail for a founder-to-founder conversation. The session, moderated by Nayef Al Ibrahim, Founding President of EO Qatar, explored the theme of building technology from the Middle East and for its communities, creating products with global relevance.

Hijazi, who has a background in technology and leadership roles at companies such as IBM, Oracle, and Hitachi, discussed his journey and the lessons learned in building UpScrolled. Today, UpScrolled boasts over 5 million users and is renowned for its social media model that emphasizes user control, transparency, and ethical technology practices.

The conversation also delved into the importance of creating independent digital products from the region that cater to the unique needs and realities of local communities, rather than simply replicating models from elsewhere. Hamad Al-Hajri, Founder and CEO of Snoonu, emphasized the need to provide an environment where the next generation of founders can build, experiment, and think beyond regional boundaries, allowing their ideas to compete on a global scale.

Throughout the discussion, Issam Hijazi stressed the significance of putting people first, granting users greater control, and being transparent about the platform's operation. The session highlighted the growing opportunities for entrepreneurs from the Middle East to create globally relevant products, and Snoonu's commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem that encourages innovative ideas and connections.