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The city of Sunnyvale buzzed with excitement yesterday as the Muslim Tech Fest took place, bringing together tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and innovators from around the world. Held on September 8, 2024, at the Sunnyvale Convention Center, the festival celebrated the intersection of technology and the Muslim community, showcasing groundbreaking innovations and fostering valuable connections within the tech industry.
The festival commenced with a vibrant networking session and tech showcases, providing attendees with opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology and connect with industry peers. The official program began with a warm welcome from Arfah Farooq and Zahid Mahmood, Co-founders of the Muslim Tech Fest. Their opening remarks set an inspiring tone for the day, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and innovation within the tech community.
A highlight of the event was the keynote address by Safa Alkateb, CEO of Autocab (an Uber company), who delivered an engaging talk on “Entrepreneurship 101.” His insights into building successful ventures provided valuable guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs. Following this, Haroon Mokhtarzada, co-founder of Truebill, shared his journey of scaling the company to a $1.3 billion valuation, offering a compelling look at the path to achieving unicorn status.
The afternoon sessions included an insightful panel discussion titled “Muslim Impact in Big Tech,” featuring notable industry leaders such as Alaa Aissi, Gulrez Khan, and Lama Ahmad. Moderated by Arfah Farooq, the panel explored the significant contributions of Muslims to major tech companies and the impact they are making in the industry.
The festival also showcased innovative solutions through its tech showcase, with notable exhibits including advancements from Muneeb Ali in fintech and Rama Chakaki and Raed Masri discussing the intersection of startup success and social impact. Yasin Ali presented on “Building Impact Engine for The Charity Industry,” highlighting how new technologies are transforming charitable giving.
As the day drew to a close, attendees were treated to “Founder Pitches,” where emerging startups like DeepTrust and Medsnapp shared their groundbreaking ideas. The event concluded with a reflective panel on “Muslim Excellence in Tech,” featuring Meryem Chin, Mohamed Moussa, Chris Blauvelt, and Ahmed Reza, who discussed the role of Muslim leaders in driving technological innovation.
The Muslim Tech Fest was a resounding success, underscoring the growing influence of Muslims in the tech industry and fostering a spirit of community and collaboration.
