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.
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.
Erick Simpson
Advisory Board
Erick Simpson, a renowned thought leader and transformation specialist in the IT and MSP sectors, brings over 30 years of industry expertise to Start Equity Ventures’ advisory board. Recognized by Channel Futures and Jay McBain as a defining influence in the MSP space, Erick is celebrated for his pioneering MSP Mastered® Methodology, which guided 30,000 IT providers through successful MSP transformations. He has also been acknowledged as a leading resource for MSP growth by Syncro, Canalys, and other prominent industry platforms. Erick’s background as an Enterprise CIO, MSP founder, educator, and speaker enriches his advisory role, making him an invaluable asset to the growth and strategic direction of Start Equity Ventures.
