News DeskDubai, UAE – iAccel Gulf Business Incubator (iAccel GBI), a prominent go-to-market accelerator, has announced the formation of its Mentor Board. This new board comprises industry veterans Mr. Sivarama Subramanian, Mr. Bashar Kilani, and Mr. Karl Tlais, each bringing 25-30 years of extensive experience in their respective fields. Their expertise is set to drive iAccel GBI and its portfolio startups towards significant growth in the UAE and the broader Middle East region.
Sivarama Subramanian, an IIT-Madras and IIM-Ahmedabad alumnus, is a notable figure in the banking sector across the UAE and GCC. With senior leadership roles at institutions like Emirates NBD, Dubai First, Dubai Bank, and Citi, and earlier stints with FMCG giants Procter & Gamble and Godrej Group in India, Subramanian said, “I am delighted to join the Mentor Board at iAccel GBI. I look forward to leveraging my extensive experience to support and guide entrepreneurs in their journey across the region.”
Bashar Kilani, a seasoned corporate leader and advisory board member, has held significant roles in general management, sales & marketing, consulting & services, and operational excellence with Accenture and IBM. His international career spans the Middle East, Europe, and the USA, and he is an expert in digital transformation, AI, blockchain, and cloud technologies. Kilani expressed, “Joining this Mentor Board presents a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the ecosystem that iAccel GBI is building. I am excited to collaborate with entrepreneurs and help them overcome the challenges of the digital economy.”
Karl Tlais is a strategic business leader and board advisor with over 25 years of experience in building market presence and driving innovation across Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Known for his work in the digital economy, AI, fintech, and venture capital, Tlais has held leadership roles with industry leaders like Visa, Microsoft, Cisco, Singtel Optus, and Vodafone. As a Dubai Future Fellow and co-chair of the Capital Club Dubai Transformational Business Leaders committee, Tlais commented, “As a member of iAccel GBI’s Mentor Board, I look forward to sharing insights and guidance with the next generation of innovative startups as they strive to expand in an increasingly competitive global market.”
Anishkaa Gehani, Co-founder of iAccel GBI, remarked, “The addition of these esteemed members, with their deep expertise in various domains, will significantly enhance the journey of our portfolio startups. Their guidance will provide the right direction to our companies, and open up new avenues of thought for them as they embark on their expansion journey.”
Deepak Ahuja, CEO and Co-founder of iAccel GBI, added, “The formation of the Mentor Board marks a pivotal step in strengthening iAccel GBI’s value proposition. Our startups will gain invaluable insights and support from these seasoned experts, building a strong foundation for success in their respective industries. iAccel GBI has already seen immense value being guided by them. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact they will make on our ecosystem.”
