Distinguished Entrepreneur in Digital Marketing & Future Tech
For someone who started working at the young age of 15, Shabir Momin has come a long way. His 3 decade journey is a case-study in grit, perseverance, and creative vision. And today, he’s proud to be an award-winning Global Entrepreneur in the Digital Media and Future Tech space.
Renowned for tech innovations across industries, Shabir is the MD & CTO of Neoma Ventures, NewMedia Holding, ZengaTV, OneDigital Entertainment, OneAxcess, Psiamgone, Catapooolt, TorusChain, EngagePoints, FanCom, FuelWings, SpaceVrse, Instant Bollywood, and Rastey. In addition, he’s the Co-Founder/ investor of HoloWorld, Clinical Nutrition, Wovoyage, Pharm Assist, MyMother Agency, Zonk Studio, Phantom Blaze, QuizKart.
Reflecting on his journey, he tells us, “Life has taught me a lot. Even with knowledge and skills, if you are very young you might not be taken seriously, at the same time mistakes are easily forgiven but always with a lecture. The biggest learning is that time is the only valuable thing, you must use yours to learn, experiment, fail, learn more, and find success. One shouldn’t waste time in regrets or blame games, move on, do more, build more, and cherish the smallest success. If all goes well, people will remember you far longer than you lived.”
Born in India and operating out of Singapore and Dubai, Shabir started as a technologist. He soon realized he could do much more in business, strategy, entrepreneurship, and leadership. He thus started building solutions, always keeping in mind what’s next that would matter.
This led him down the path of Future Tech, especially in Digital Media, and he ended up with a diverse portfolio of 40+ brands in media, ecommerce, R&D, blockchain, social, logistics, robotics, VR/AR, Space, loyalty programs, fan economy, creator economy, gaming Studio, AAA games, eSports, sports, OTT, fantasy eCommerce, food products, travel, pharmacy delivery, fuel delivery, and more.
At the age of 21, he was one of the youngest CTOs in the world! “I always had the passion to do something new, something never done before, something that would have a long-term impact. Building intelligent systems for the future is my passion, doesn’t matter which industry or vertical. When you see things others can’t see today, but they appreciate it tomorrow… that is what gives me a lot of satisfaction.”
Having started young, Shabir faced innumerous challenges on a daily basis. However, he prefers to see them as ‘experiences’ that one must overcome. He feels one must work hard when one is lucky, and harder when one is not. For the biggest challenge is to build the right team, with the right energy… if you manage to build it and are aligned, then you can move mountains.
Always a tiger in the rat race, Shabir says it is infinitely harder and challenging to be a tiger. Yet, what’s the fun if there isn’t a bit of a challenge in the journey… the result is usually sweeter at the end.
“I’m very inspired by great leaders like Mr Ratan Tata and Dr Abdul Kalam. They were both tigers, one was rich and got the jungle to manage and he did a great job at it, while the other came from humble background and took the jungle and did a great job at it. What’s common between the two is that both are extremely inspiring, never gave up, and touched the pinnacle without arrogance. If I can become 1/100th of what they are I would consider myself extremely blessed.”
In the same way, Shabir himself believes in being a good leader and creating more leaders. “If you want to take all the burden yourself, create more followers, but if you want to grow and have many share your load, then create more leaders,” he exclaims.
Shabir’s strategic leadership can be gauged through his various achievements:
● Global Power Leader 2024 at the Global Business Conclave at House of Lords, UK Parliament, London.
● Honored with 3 honorary Doctorates, acknowledging his expertise in Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation by esteemed institutions like European International University and Azteca University.
● Lifetime Achievement Award at Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards, Singapore.
● His contributions have earned him the NRI Achievers Award and a feature in the prestigious HighFlyers 50 book.
● Acknowledged among Inspirational Leaders of Asia 2022 and received Trendsetter CIO Award 2022 at the 3rd Elets National Conclave.
● Awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by TaiGlobal in 2013 as well as Rex Karmaveer Chakra Award.
In his personal life, Shabir has been blessed with amazing parents, a great wife, and 2 amazing kids.
Having emerged a leader in all spheres of his life, what message would Shabir like to share with others? “Towards the end of the journey, you will realize that most journeys are the same with different flavors and paths. So focus on what you do, and don’t worry about what your competition is doing. When in a race, look forward and run… if you can’t see anyone, good, but if you keep looking back to see who is next, soon you’d be looking at the same person ahead of you.”