The paths to becoming a successful business leader are as multifarious as the individuals who hold these roles. Some ascend steadily through corporate hierarchies. Others break the mold entirely, leaping into entrepreneurship, disrupting industries, and building from the ground up. Haroon Shafqat, Head of R&D at Gasable and Co-Founder & COO of Hysabat Solutions, Strategic Consultant of ByteCorp, and Founder & CEO of HWAH Industries, belongs to the latter. A self-taught technologist with a relentless drive for automation and AI innovation, he’s carved out a multi-venture journey defined by impact, invention, and an instinct for designing scalable, intelligent systems.
The love for technology isn’t a new interest. It developed from his childhood days. From setting up Wi-Fi networks, fixing mobile phones, to exploring gadgets, Haroon’s tender mind was already wired for problem-solving.
Then, the real turning point came through a superhero disguised as his ICT teacher in high school, Mr. Samee Afridi. Recognizing the young boy’s passion, he took him under his wing. Spending extra hours during breaks teaching Haroon about computers, Mr. Afridi constantly roused the young boy’s enthusiasm.
At 19, another life-changing encounter changed the course of Haroon’s journey. He met Mr. Ali Ghnaim, CEO of Gasable, who became an influential mentor. Under his methodical guidance, the curious teenager started to implement smart, AI-driven solutions process by process, department by department. This hands-on experience gave him the confidence and skillset to automate complex operations and reimagine how entire systems could work smarter, not harder. “Today, give me any department,” he says confidently, “I’ll automate it—turning complexity into simplicity.”
The Genesis of Hysabat Solutions
Hysabat wasn’t just a product; it was a labor of love created by Haroon’s fellow schoolmate and his dedicated team at JMM Technologies.
Over three intense years, they dedicated countless hours to building a 360-degree business management solution that could handle everything from operations to finance, all from a single interface. Haroon came on board when it was time to breathe life into this brilliant creation. He took charge of market research, crafted strategic roadmaps, structured pricing models, and built partnerships to position the product for scale. He proudly adds that their efforts culminated in acceptance into a government-backed startup incubator, securing funding, and an official entrepreneurship license, making their once-whispered dreams a reality.
Learning the Ropes at Gasable
At just 19, Haroon became the youngest hire in Gasable’s ten-year history. He began with humility, training drivers and engaging himself in daily operations. Soon, he earned his place by learning every detail from the bottom up. It was here that he built his first automation tool, the Flowbot, which overnight began handling 60% of the company’s website workload. The impact was immediate, and as rapid promotions followed, each role stretched his capabilities further.
Haroon’s proudest moment? It was reviving Gasable’s dormant Eastern Region. What had once been inactive became a booming business unit generating over a million in revenue within a year. All became possible entirely by a team of enthusiastic interns he trained with care, clarity, and conviction.
Gasable remains a special chapter. Under Mr. Ali’s supervision, Haroon continues to face new, complex challenges that push his limits. On the flip side, the knowledge and experience gained at this company drive his work at Hysabat. Every day, one company sharpens its edge for the other.
Bridging Borders Through Technology
Besides Gasable and Hysabat, Haroon also works as a Strategic Advisor at Bytecorp UK. When asked how he approaches strategic problem-solving for a company operating in a different market and culture, he responds with a nuanced perspective. He says, “Working with ByteCorp and their groundbreaking sister company Autilent felt natural because their tech was astonishing—dashcams powered by NVIDIA chips, technology even many PCs don’t have!”
With a strong affinity for tech and AI, Haroon found the collaboration both exciting and intuitive, not like work. Instead of adjusting to a new environment, this tech-savvy executive leaned into the convoluted challenge by working closely with their talented team. Together, they craft detailed strategies, pinpointing exactly who to target, and translate advanced technologies into something accessible to the average consumer. Haroon gravitated toward this work because it was a perfect fit for his core strengths of simplifying the complicated. The thrill, for him, lies in the fact that their innovations are truly ahead of their time.
Living on the Edge of Balance
Haroon’s schedule would make most people’s heads spin. He’s an active contributor to three different companies, so a “typical day” is anything but. He says the toughest part of his career is managing his time, often compromising a regular sleep schedule to work nonstop until he’s completely exhausted.
Despite the chaos, he insists he always finds time for his family and friends. People used to tell him, “You can’t do everything—you must choose between work and having fun.” But Haroon proved them wrong. He has mastered the art of juggling multiple high-intensity roles, staying connected to his teams 24/7, and still making sure he enjoys his life. With a chuckle, he says, “Dangerous? Maybe. Fun? Absolutely!”
Now we know the secret behind Haroon’s ranking as one of the “Middle East’s 10 Most Influential Business Leaders to Follow in 2025.” It’s his dangerously fun-filled attitude that embraces challenges instead of surrendering to them.
He’s a living example of the idea that you don’t have to choose between a successful career and a fulfilling personal life. He shows that you can build a life where both can coexist and prosper together.
A Journey Backed by OpenAI and Google Cloud
This techpreneur doesn’t consider AI just tech. It’s the realization of childhood dreams inspired by Tony Stark and Watch Dogs. His journey into the world of AI began in the initial stages, experimenting with OpenAI’s API to build sophisticated solutions. Haroon’s work was so impressive that it earned him a spot on an exclusive beta team, catching the eye of OpenAI’s VP. He also has a strong connection with Google, where he earned a Cloud Developer badge and got a sneak peek at Gemini Pro at a closed-invite event in Riyadh before its public release. Being the youngest attendee at that event surrounded by top AI experts validated his path and vision, and powered his drive to continue pushing the boundaries of what AI can do.
The Iterative Life of His AI Projects
“I’m always cooking up something new,” Haroon remarks, “every week brings a fresh AI-driven solution.” If his job is a live demo of what’s possible, his laptop is a goldmine of half-completed yet groundbreaking projects. Some of the most exciting include Quantify. It’s his open-source market research tool that democratizes access to critical business insights, and Gasable’s internal AI agent is trained from thousands of documents. But that’s just scratching the surface. His personal favorite? A full-fledged cybersecurity lab, straight out of a Watch Dogs-style framework. And then there’s ES2 Square, an AI-powered energy audit tool that’s revolutionizing energy efficiency reporting, slashing time and resource costs for companies across the board.
Jack of Three Trades, Master of One Framework: HWAH Industries
Each company Haroon is involved with has its own lane and vision. But the common thread is Haroon’s strategic guidance, the brain behind their growth. With a tech-first mindset and business instincts sharpened through years of boots-on-the-ground experience, he’s the one compelling their growth.
To bring structure to his ever-expanding portfolio, Haroon launched HWAH Industries, his own company built to zero in on what matters. Instead of juggling scattered roles, he now operates through a unified setup that channels his expertise under one legal and streamlined umbrella. It lets him offer his skills like a service suite, not a string of one-off favors. It’s sharper, cleaner, and way more sustainable for him and for the brands that count on him.
Built Different: The Puzzle Solver’s Mindset
At his core, Haroon is a problem solver who genuinely loves technology. As he once told my CEO, “Whatever you see as a problem, I see as an exciting puzzle waiting for me to solve.” Being neurodivergent gives him unique perspectives that bring fresh, often unexpected solutions to the table. The companies he works with don’t just value his expertise; they trust his instincts to tackle the tough things. Inspired by the Arabic proverb “اطرب شبابك دام الاشواق باقي حية,” which means “Enjoy your youth as long as passion thrives,” Haroon approaches every task as a passionate pursuit, not just another item on the to-do list.
The Quiet Builder Behind Three Solid Wins
Haroon is someone who leaves a mark without making noise. He doesn’t blow his own trombone. It’s always the work and the impact that do the talking. When asked to call out a few accomplishments that personally stand out, Haroon keeps it real.
Launching three fully functional websites from scratch to live production in just one month, crafting Gasable’s internal AI agent from a massive 200GB of raw data, and personally testing hardware while rapidly deploying an IoT solution. These are the moments he remembers with a sense of satisfaction.
Another big one? Hysabat’s acceptance into a government accelerator was a long-overdue validation of years of relentless effort.
Running point across three companies at once tends to raise eyebrows, but Haroon lives by the conviction of Mr. Robot: “Because I did something in one night you’ve been trying to pull off for months.”
The Human Code Behind Tech Teams
Fostering a culture of adaptability and forward-thinking among teams, especially in fast-moving tech environments, is easier said than done. However, Haroon does it with élan. His ways are simple yet effective, and refreshingly free of micromanagement. He’s never been the hovering type because he knows micromanaging stunts a team’s growth. Instead, he empowers his people, teaching them the fundamental skills, strategic thinking, and showing how to weave smart tech into the flow of daily tasks. As a result, teams that are confident, capable, and eager to innovate.
And while technology has always been his lifelong passion, Haroon never forgets where his true priorities lie. People come first. Always. He believes happiness is the foundation, not a perk. For him, employees are not mere organizational tools; they’re humans with untapped potential. The linchpin to his team’s success lies in how he nurtures curiosity, encourages autonomy, and leverages AI as an ally, not a threat.
“There’s Always a Way”: Advice to the Budding Leaders
To aspiring leaders pursuing careers in entrepreneurship, consulting, and innovation, Haroon’s advice is to “just do it,” even if it feels daunting. Second chances rarely come knocking. “God always creates the door for us to kick,” he says. The key is to stay open, inquisitive, and always ready for the next challenge. For Haroon, the goal never mattered; it’s about staying in love with the hustle in the process. He puts it distinctly: “Never say no. Always figure out, as I believe, ‘there is always a way, you just have to find out how.'” That powerful philosophy is what got him here.
The veteran also has a word of caution for these aspirants. Drawing on Bob Marley’s wisdom, he reminds rising stars: “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul, for wisdom is better than silver or gold.” Haroon warns them against trading their integrity, selling out for comfort or flashier offers. A bigger paycheck doesn’t always mean a better life. “Build yourself in one place,” he urges.
He further inspires them to grow roots, make their identity first, and focus on their path. Haroon concludes by asking these young professionals not to let themselves get passed around like a footballer in transfer season just because someone waves a bigger offer.
Legacy Mode: Tony Stark Dreams, Real-World Grit
As of August 2025, Haroon is just 25 years old —balancing R&D at Gasable, co-founding Hysabat, and advising ByteCorp while shipping weekly automation wins. He isn’t here to build a typical legacy. Just like his work, his vision of impact is ingenious and unconventional. He wants to leave behind something that truly reflects his unique perspective. It would remind people that he was here with a purpose.
As Thomas Shelby once said, “I am an extreme example of what a working man can achieve.” That spirit resonates with Haroon. His ultimate goal is to fondly be remembered for the peace he brought and the inspiration he sparked in others.
“The legacy I want to build is something like Tony Stark’s lab,” Haroon expresses with enthusiasm. Think of an innovative testing ground, powered by the skills of Mr. Robot and the tech of Watch Dogs. Fully command-driven. Fully future-facing. We must admit, this isn’t a dream, it’s a foolproof master plan in motion.
Yet, beyond the gadgets and AI magic, Haroon’s real gift to the world will be a mindset that says think bigger, achieve bigger, believe in yourself, and always aim for the sky.
