OUR team
We’re a driven, collaborative team with over 50 years of combined venture capital experience.
About the team
Mohammed Ahmed
Founder | Managing Partner
Mohammed Ahmed is the co-founder and managing partner of Start Equity Ventures. With over 20+ years of Technology, Strategy, Operations, Startup Investing and Advisory experience. He's invested in domestic and international startups. He launched an Angel Investment group in 2020 to help educate investors on this investment class. Since then, he's syndicated several investments and launched a Venture Capital Fund. As the Co-Founder and General Partner at Start Equity Ventures, he leverages over 20 years of experience in strategic product management, operations, and investment. His diverse background includes leadership roles at EMC Consulting, Dell Technologies, and VMware, where he drove significant growth and operational efficiency. He holds a Bachelors in Economics from Rutgers University and a Masters in Management from Harvard University.
Imran Abbas
Co-Founder | Managing Partner
Imran Abbas is the co-founder and managing partner of Start Equity Ventures and AgileTek Solutions, a consulting services firm based in Ashburn, Virginia. With over 20 years of experience in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership, Imran has built a reputation for driving innovation and strategic growth. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Liberal Arts from Harvard University, and an MBA from Darden Business School. His diverse educational background and extensive experience make him a visionary leader in tech and business.
Raza Rafiq
Operating Partner
Growth-stage CFO with 20+ year track record of progressively working in diverse areas such as financial analysis, corporate strategy, fund raising, mergers and acquisitions, equity research, corporate finance, operations, P&L management and strategic planning. Enthusiastic business builder, leveraging strong cross-functional relationships, a problem-solving mindset and deep experience in finance and all aspects of business operations. Strategic partner to the CEO, Board and investors. Recognized as a determined, disciplined and effective leader who builds high-quality, scalable teams and processes with a continual improvement mindset.
Asjad Yayha
Advisory Board
Asjad Yahya brings with him about 20 years of investment banking and investment management experience. Having worked in buy-side and sell-side roles across international investment banks and a family office of members of the royal family in Abu Dhabi, Asjad took over the role of Head of Investor Relations of a FTSE-100 listed healthcare company. Currently, he heads the Investor Relations function at Abu Dhabi-based TAQA, the second largest utility in the world by market capitalization. Asjad is a CFA Charter holder and completed his Masters in Business Systems from Monash University (Australia).
Abduljabar "Jabs"
Totonji
Advisory Board
Abduljabar, also known as “Jabs”, is an asset manager, real estate and angel investor. He graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and completed his master’s degree in real estate finance at Georgetown University. Jabs is the author of “Home Buying 101: What They Don’t Teach You in the Classroom”. He has acquired, sold, managed, and advised on over $1 billion in commercial and residential real estate transactions. Personally, Jabs is married to his beautiful wife Sara and have two boys Sultan and Yousef. His hobbies include horology and cars.
Shazia Khan
Advisory Board
Shazia is an entrepreneur, board director, and startup/CEO advisor who guides companies in bringing transformative technologies to emerging markets around the globe. As a former founder and CEO in an alternative energy solar company, today she uses her vast experience building businesses, expanding into new markets, and leading global teams to help other early stage companies take their vision and make it reality.
