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Naajihah Mahmood, a UQ alumna, embarks on her entrepreneurial journey in the halal food industry after successfully completing all programs offered by Ventures.
Naajihah Mahmood, an accomplished Ventures participant, has successfully completed a comprehensive range of Ventures programs, starting from the introductory Curiosity program and culminating in the prestigious ilab Accelerator. At the annual Pitch Night event earlier this year, she captivated an audience of 350+ individuals with her innovative startup.
While currently employed as a food safety auditor in a halal export abattoir, Mahmood devotes her spare time to utilize her expertise in food science and work experience to establish HalalBee. Her startup aims to facilitate the discovery of nearby halal food options for the Muslim community.
Having grown up in Singapore, Mahmood was accustomed to a robust regulatory body overseeing the certification of halal food and beverage establishments. However, in Australia, the halal certification industry operates under private entities, which creates challenges in terms of centralization and funding.
After moving to Australia in mid-2014 for her studies, Mahmood found herself facing difficulties in locating halal food options in her vicinity. She explains, “Food holds great significance in our sustenance and culture. It brings me immense joy to savor a delectable meal, especially when I can share it with someone.”
She adds, “The problem I aim to solve extends beyond the Muslim community that has resided here for generations. It also encompasses the future Muslim immigrants and international students who arrive seeking a better education and life experiences.”
Mahmood expresses her gratitude to the Ventures team for their unwavering support throughout her entrepreneurial journey, helping her hone her skills and gain the confidence to elevate her idea to new heights.
Her journey began with the LeadHers program, a confidence-building initiative for women, where she confronted her self-doubts and learned to trust in her own capabilities. She states, “I needed a boost of confidence, especially to nurture the idea brewing inside my mind.”
During the LeadHers program, Mahmood pitched her idea to a Ventures team member, who enlightened her about the myriad learning and development opportunities available through the Ventures programs. Intrigued, she delved deeper into the programs and eagerly joined Curiosity when the first semester commenced.
“Due to my full-time work and time constraints, I needed a systematic approach to develop my idea, and that’s exactly what the UQ Ventures programs offered me,” Mahmood explains. Soon enough, she found herself accepted into the prestigious ilab Accelerator program.
