Name
Mudassir Sheikha
Company
- Careem
Profession
Entrepreneur, Technology Executive
Notable Role
Co-founder and CEO of Careem
Known For
Building Careem into the leading ride hailing platform in the Middle East, acquired by Uber in 2019
About
Mudassir Sheikha’s story is often told as one of turning a simple daily problem into a billion dollar solution. Living in Dubai, he noticed how difficult it was for people to book reliable rides.
Instead of accepting it as a small inconvenience, he decided to solve it. With co-founder Magnus Olsson, he started Careem in 2012.
People know Mudassir because Careem changed the way people moved across the Middle East, Pakistan, and North Africa.
What started as a ride hailing app became a platform for delivery, payments, and daily services. His story shows how an idea born from a small frustration can grow into a company that touches millions of lives.
Career Journey
Mudassir grew up in Karachi before moving to the United States for his studies. He studied computer science at USC and later completed his MBA at Stanford.
His early career included roles at tech firms like Microsoft and management consulting at McKinsey. These experiences gave him both the technical and business background to launch something of his own.
In 2012, he co-founded Careem. The early days were tough funding was limited, operations were messy, and convincing drivers to join was not easy. But step by step, the company expanded city by city.
By focusing on customer trust and local needs, Careem built loyalty across the region. In 2019, Uber acquired Careem for $3.1 billion, one of the largest tech deals in the region’s history.
Leadership & Achievements
Under Mudassir’s leadership, Careem grew from a small startup to a super app. It gave thousands of people jobs as captains, brought convenience to everyday life, and built pride in a homegrown technology company.
Careem’s success proved that world class startups could be built in the Middle East and Pakistan, not just in Silicon Valley.
Vision & Legacy
Mudassir often says his dream is to create an ecosystem where local talent builds solutions for local problems. Careem is already moving beyond ride hailing, aiming to become an all in one app for mobility, food, payments, and more.
His legacy lies in showing that entrepreneurs from Pakistan and the region can build global scale companies.
Media Mentions / Recognition
Mudassir has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, Financial Times, and leading regional publications. Careem’s $3.1 billion acquisition by Uber was headline news around the world, making him one of the most talked about entrepreneurs from Pakistan.
Personal Interests
Outside work, Mudassir is known for his passion for technology and entrepreneurship. He often speaks about creating opportunities for youth in Pakistan and the wider region, encouraging them to solve problems through innovation.
The Journey Ahead
Mudassir continues to lead Careem into new areas of technology and services. His journey shows how a problem spotted on the streets of Dubai turned into a company that shaped the future of transport and tech in the Middle East and beyond.
Awards
Best International Women Leadership Award (2015)
Recognized by Women in Management, Sri Lanka.
Corporate Excellence
Listed among Pakistan’s most recognized corporate personalities.
Industry Leadership
Vice President of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2018).
First female Chairperson of Unilever Sri Lanka.
