Alanoud Alhashmi CEO of The Futurist Company discusses her vision for solving some of humanity’s biggest problems.
Alanoud Alhashmi is a member of the Young Arab Leaders and CEO of The Futurist Company, which aims to contribute to the UAE’s advancement as a hub of the latest technologies. Her work has been inspired by His Highness Sheikh Zayed’s efforts to promote agriculture in the UAE’s early years. The company aims to work on issues for which the world is not yet prepared. Be it climate change, food security, renewable energy or virtual reality. Alanoud is working hard with her team to always be one step ahead at solving some of the greatest issues the world will face in the coming years. Here, we find out more about her vision and her mindset which is set to inspire a whole generation of women.
Tell us about The Futurist Company and what you aim to achieve with it?
The Futurist Company’s work has been inspired by His Highness Sheikh Zayed’s efforts to promote agriculture in the UAE’s early years. It was at a time when agriculture was an expensive and tiring task as people had to fight the harsh climate, but still, His Highness made it possible even though the first advisors told him it could not be done. The ultimate goals for my company are driven by the human need for a greener tomorrow, food security, and better techniques and tools to fulfil the growing demand, not only in the UAE but globally too. We are working on future-facing projects, as part of a country that always tries to enhance and develop for the future. We are playing a role in contributing to this economy of innovation and technology.
You launched your company in the middle of the pandemic – that must have thrown up some challenges?
Having launched The Futurist Company during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was faced with a lot of challenges, but the crisis has also helped to reinforce the company’s value proposition. It made us realise that the issues we’re facing today are minor compared to the issues we will face in a couple of years. When you realise there are so many problems, sitting and doing nothing about them is not going to get us anywhere. We weren’t afraid or threatened by the timing, instead, we just got on with it. We did our research and development and we had solutions that were ready. A lot of countries struggled because of issues such as food security, not having logistics, import and export of goods, etc. and it made us realise how important the project was so we launched it immediately.
What is the biggest challenge you face in what you do today?
My first challenge is being a woman in an industry that is dominated by men. Although I have received a lot of support from men, so as much as it is a challenge, there is actually potential and there is recognition of what women are trying to achieve in the UAE and support when it is required.
But the biggest challenge I face is that my company is developing things that are future-facing, meaning they don’t really exist yet. It is therefore difficult to convey the overall project or solution that we are trying to produce. Even with a detailed explanation and a demonstration, working in a very niche sector in technology and innovation and developing solutions for problems that utilise different technologies, it is no surprise that people don’t immediately understand how complicated and sophisticated the solution is and its impact.
Tell us about what it means to you to be part of the Bentley Extraordinary Women Initiative?
This initiative sheds light on women’s roles in society and what they have achieved so far. It is a powerful tool to help inspire the next generation of women and give them the support system they need to believe in themselves as well as equip them with the knowledge they need as they further advance in their careers.
What are you hoping to achieve by being part of this programme, and what do you think you can offer young aspiring entrepreneurs through your knowledge and experience?
Like Bentley’s goal as a brand by launching such an initiative, I believe it is essential to champion female empowerment in the region. I hope to join forces with Bentley Motors to use our knowledge and combined experiences, learnings, and passion for inspiring the next generation of female professionals. I am honoured and excited to be considered as a founding pioneer for this initiative and to take part in the mentoring programme Bentley Motors has put together by mentoring and teaching one of the selected students.
Why do you think initiatives such as this are helpful in helping to empower women in the UAE?
The Extraordinary Women initiative is so important as it will help to encourage a new generation of women who might be struggling at the start of their careers. It teaches women that it is okay to reach out and ask for help, and that it is essential to find a mentor to help you through any potential setbacks and offer insightful feedback.
What are some of the common codes you share with a brand like Bentley?
I believe that Bentley and I share the same code of accuracy, meaning when you do something, do it properly from A to Z.
Tell us about some of your upcoming work for 2022?
We are launching GAIA, our food security agriculture technology aggrotech solutions, to tackle this and climate change. The project addresses 13 out of 17 of the United Nations’ SDG sustainable developments goals. We are also using renewable energy to achieve the UAE strategy for a carbon natural 2050; as well as being involved in ‘Operation 300 billion’ strategies for the development of the manufacturing sector in the UAE. Another sustainable energy project of ours includes battery solutions for storage and integrated renewable energy solutions.
What advice would you give to young aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to follow their dreams?
The important elements for success are having the right, positive people around you, and getting mentors that can build you up and help you to achieve what you want to achieve. Overall, positive energy and mentorship are needed to build up the next generation of women. My biggest advice is don’t wait, do your research, do your work and start! Don’t wait for someone to tell you it’s a great idea. If you believe it’s a great idea then go ahead and do it. Waiting sometimes can actually hurt you, so go for it, get advice, do some surveys and get more feedback. A lot of people wait and the timing becomes hard or the idea dies or competition increases.
The UAE recently celebrated 50 years – what did this moment mean to you?
As an Emirati woman, I am extremely proud of the UAE’s 50 years of success and prosperity. I draw my inspiration in both my career and my personal life from the UAE because it offers me a strong grounding and gives me peace. My family, the women that I have in my family and the women in senior governmental leadership roles, along with the rich history of this country are all aspects that genuinely inspire me to be the woman I am today. My country provided me with an unparalleled environment for personal growth and development. I received an excellent education and received the support I needed to gain wide-ranging experience in business across diverse sectors.
The UAE gives me a love of challenge and the desire to achieve greatness. The consistently positive action that the government is taking is an inspiration not only for me as an Emirati, but everyone living in this country. We have that mentality because we live it every day; and when we see what our government is achieving and the UAE coming is number one, the environment encourages you to thrive. It’s a very beautiful country to be in to achieve your dreams and a place to make dreams happen.
In terms of women’s empowerment, how would you sum up where we are in the UAE now?
The UAE has definitely created ample opportunities for women, especially for Emirati women like me, to go out there and explore their talents, practice their passion, and pursue their dreams through great initiatives and programmes set in place in the past couple of years.
Furthermore, our leadership and the history of this country reflects an essential message to all its citizens of how it offers endless possibilities, and this is a continuous inspiration of what we can achieve as human beings but most importantly, what women can achieve in this country.
What is something you would still like to see happen?
I would like us to fight to see the climate crisis end. I would like to see cooperation at every level and people working together across the globe to solve a problem that affects us all. This requires cooperation between governments, companies and individuals to be able to achieve the necessary results.
What is the professional motto that you live by?
I believe that nothing great happens without sacrifice and nothing great happens easily. If greatness is easy then everyone would achieve it, so if you go through hard times in your journey, you need to know, it’s normal, that’s the only way it will happen.
