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 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.
Abduljabar "Jabs"
Totonji
Partner | Investor Relations
Abduljabar “Jabs” Totonji is a seasoned investor and real estate strategist with a proven track record of structuring and managing over $1B in commercial assets, including marquee deals like McKesson’s CoverMyMeds HQ and the Huntsman Corporation HQ. As Chief Investment Officer at Golden Eagle Group and Partner at Start Equity Ventures, Jabs bridges institutional capital with emerging innovation, guiding startups with deep financial insight and operational rigor. A published author and advocate for financial literacy, he also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council at George Mason University. At Start Equity Ventures, Jabs brings sharp investment discipline, fund management expertise, and strategic execution to help founders scale with integrity and impact.
Raza Rafiq
Operating Partner
Raza Rafiq, a seasoned growth-stage CFO, brings over 20 years of cross-functional leadership and financial expertise to Start Equity Ventures’ advisory board. With a proven track record across financial analysis, corporate strategy, fundraising, M&A, equity research, and full P&L management, Raza has served as a trusted strategic partner to CEOs, boards, and investors navigating high-growth environments. Recognized for building scalable teams and high-impact processes, he combines operational depth with a problem-solving mindset to drive business transformation. His disciplined leadership and strategic insight make him an invaluable asset to Start Equity Ventures and its mission to support and scale the next generation of breakthrough startups.
Shazia Khan
Advisory Board
Shazia Khan 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.
Craig Zingerline
Advisory Board
Craig Zingerline, a serial entrepreneur and globally recognized startup advisor, brings deep expertise in growth strategy and go-to-market execution to Start Equity Ventures’ advisory board. As a six-time founder and the force behind Growth Minded, a consultancy focused on scalable customer acquisition and retention. Craig has guided hundreds of startups through efficient, high-impact growth. He’s been hailed by Jason Calacanis as “one of the best growth instructors in the industry” and is a top-ranked speaker featured by LAUNCH, Founder Institute, Product School, Speero Ventures, and Growth Mentor, among others. Craig’s data-driven approach, paired with his practical founder experience, makes him an indispensable strategic advisor to Start Equity Ventures and its portfolio companies.
Sultan Moraished, Chief Information Officer of Red Sea Global, is a visionary technology leader driving digital transformation across one of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism developments. With a background spanning enterprise IT, cybersecurity, and smart infrastructure, Sultan blends strategic foresight with operational excellence to deliver technology solutions that scale sustainably. At Red Sea Global, he oversees the integration of cutting-edge digital platforms across hospitality, mobility, and environmental systems, building a next-generation smart destination from the ground up. A sought-after voice in the Middle East’s innovation ecosystem, Sultan brings deep technical acumen and regional insight to Start Equity Ventures’ advisory network, helping our portfolio companies navigate complex enterprise partnerships, pilot deployments, and market entry strategies across the GCC.
Abdulrahim Said, Vice President at Gartner, is a seasoned enterprise strategist at the forefront of digital advisory across the Middle East. With deep expertise in IT transformation, enterprise architecture, and data-driven decision-making, Abdulrahim advises C-suite leaders on navigating complex technology landscapes and aligning innovation with business outcomes. At Gartner, he leads engagements with public and private sector clients, offering actionable insights that shape national digital agendas and large-scale transformation programs. A trusted advisor to government leaders, multinationals, and fast-scaling startups alike, Abdulrahim brings a rare combination of regional depth and global perspective to Start Equity Ventures’ advisory network, empowering our founders to refine their enterprise GTM strategies, validate product-market fit, and build with credibility from day one.
