Emon Shakoor

Emon Shakoor is a Saudi neuroscience researcher turned venture capitalist and entrepreneur, widely recognized for her pioneering work at the intersection of innovation, inclusion, and investment. She is the Founder & CEO of Blossom Accelerator — one of the region’s most influential innovation and investment infrastructure platforms, building systems that power emerging technology, capital flows, and global market entry into Saudi Arabia.Under her leadership, Blossom designs and operates large-scale accelerators, corporate innovation programs, venture partnerships, and FDI soft-landing pipelines. Through its internationally recognized SoftLanding Program, Blossom attracts high-growth startups from around the world to enter, set up, and scale in Saudi Arabia — enabling frictionless market access, regulatory support, and successful go-to-market pathways. Blossom has become a central gateway for global founders contributing to the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding innovation economy.A trusted partner to both government and industry, Emon has led innovation and investment programs with national entities including the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MCIT), NEOM, Diriyah, TikTok, Savola, and others — as well as FDI-focused soft-landing partnerships with the Ministry of Investment (MISA). Through these partnerships, she has bridged global technologies with Saudi corporates, investors, and giga-projects, accelerating the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for innovation.Emon also serves as a Venture Partner at Oryx Fund and is an active angel investor, advisor, and member of the opportunity committee at Oqal, the GCC’s largest angel investment network. Her work has been recognized by the World Economic Forum, Stanford University, Forbes, Bloomberg, and numerous global institutions for its impact on technology ecosystems and inclusive economic growth.Before entering venture capital, she earned a Bachelor’s in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego, conducting research on mirror neurons and social cognition, and later led clinical drug trials for Pfizer at PAREXEL.A distinguished Global Shaper who represented the 30 Under 30 cohort at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Emon is also a sought-after TEDx and global keynote speaker. Featured on the covers of Entrepreneur Middle East and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, she is regarded as one of the Middle East’s most dynamic leaders shaping the future of technology, investment, and economic transformation.