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Akram El Youssi

Strategic Finance & Scaling Expert | PE/VC Advisor & Venture

Asia/Dubai (UTC+4)
English, French, Arabic

About

Seasoned finance and investment professional with +20 years of experience across corporate finance, investment banking, and private equity, combined with hands-on operational leadership. As a 2X founder, I’ve built ventures, led teams, developed SaaS solutions, and streamlined processes through digitalization and automation. My core expertise spans strategic finance, investments, digital transformation, and scaling operational infrastructure for high-growth ventures.

Key Skills

Experience

Managing Partner | Upside Ventures

Apr 2025 - Present
United Arab Emirates Managing a portfolio of ventures in Technology, AI, Future of Finance and Consulting.

Founder & CEO | InstaVal

Jan 2019 - Present
InstaVal is pivoting into an AI-driven Investor Relations Management platform to streamline communication, reporting, and KPI tracking. We help founders and investors build stronger relationships. Because it’s people first, then numbers.

COO | uqudo

Feb 2022 - Dec 2022
Dubai, United Arab Emirates In charge of co-steering the company and building the full fledged venture scalability infrastructure to grow the business in Middle East & Africa.

Chief Executive Officer | Upside Capital

Jan 2010 - Jan 2019
Casablanca & Dubai Independent, Africa to Middle-East focused, best-in-class corporate finance advisory firm, offering bulge-bracket expertise to mid-market regional private sector corporations as well as to private investors.

Founder | Premony

Jan 2016 - Jan 2017
Dubai, United Arab Emirates DIY Investment banking deliverables Platform : Business Plan. Valuation Report. Information Memorandum. Investor Report. Shelved => Too big. Too early.

Founder | Finworks

Jan 2015 - Jan 2017
Dubai, United Arab Emirates Investment deliverables production software for Advisors, Investors, Financial Institutions & Corporates. Made first for Upside Capital. Then realized the market potential. Pitched to couple of large banks in MENA. Stealth mode.

Investment Director | CDG Capital

Jan 2008 - Jan 2010
Casablanca Prefecture, Morocco Private Equity Mezzanine Fund Management

Structured Finance Associate | BMCE Capital

Jan 2005 - Jan 2008
Dakar, Senegal Project & Structured Finance Transaction Advisory. Sub Saharan Africa.

Equity Analyst | Upline Group

Jan 2004 - Jan 2005
Casablanca Prefecture, Morocco Listed Equity Research & Analysis

Supply Chain Supervisor | Procter & Gamble

Jan 2001 - Jan 2002
Casablanca Prefecture, Morocco FMCG | Former Gillette

Forex Trader | INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, LLC

Jan 1999 - Jan 2000
New York, New York Major Currency Forex Trading. 40, Wall Street.

Education & Certificates

Practitioner, Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Lead Coach Institute
Jan 2010

CFA, Finance, General

CFA Institute
Jan 2009

MBA, International Management

École des Ponts Business School
Jan 2005

Bachelor of Business Administration

Al Akhawayn University
Jun 1999

Schedule a Session

Executive Coaching

60 min
$600 for 6 sessions
Focused, one-on-one coaching to strengthen executive skills and drive strategic growth.

Leadership Coaching

60 min
$900 for 10 sessions
Development of core leadership abilities for success in management and team roles.

Recommended Training Topics

Crowdsourcing Ideas

This training offers participants insights into the world of crowdsourcing, covering key concepts and techniques. Participants will explore how to harness collective intelligence for problem-solving, innovation, and project development. Through engaging content and practical applications, learners will discover the transformative power of crowdsourcing in both corporate and entrepreneurial settings.

ERP Basics (SAP, Oracle)

This training provides a comprehensive introduction to ERP systems, focusing on SAP and Oracle platforms. Participants will learn key skills in system integration, data management, and process optimization. Practical applications include improving business efficiency and decision-making in real-world scenarios, making it essential for professionals across various industries.

Creative Problem Solving

This training focuses on enhancing creative problem-solving skills, teaching participants how to approach challenges from multiple perspectives. Learners will explore innovative techniques for generating solutions and learn how to apply these skills in real-world scenarios. The program is designed to foster creative thinking in both personal and professional settings.

Procurement Fundamentals

The Procurement Fundamentals training provides a comprehensive understanding of purchasing processes, sourcing strategies, and supplier management. Participants will gain insights into cost-effective procurement practices that enhance organizational efficiency. The program covers tools and techniques essential for optimizing supply chain operations and emphasizes the practical application of these concepts in various industries.

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