Who gets to call themselves a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the age of 21?! Only someone who lives, breathes, and eats their passion for technology and innovation. Meet Shabir Momin, a pioneering entrepreneur whose journey is one for the books. From being the youngest CTO of a leading tech company at 21 to becoming the MD & CTO of game-changing ventures like NewMedia Holding, One Digital Entertainment, OneAxcess, Psiamgone, Catapooolt, and Desiredwings, Shabir sir has consistently disrupted the tech and digital landscape.
He has co-founded companies like Rastey Cabs, Holoworld.one, WEB3, and founded Zenga, TorusChain, & EngagePoints. Shabir’s leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including a Professional Doctoral Certificate from European International University! He has also been awarded various business excellence and leadership awards for his contribution in tech, digital, innovation & entrepreneurship. Beyond his professional achievements, Shabir Momin is a devoted father of two, seamlessly juggling being a hands-on parent while steering multiple companies to success.
Entrepreneurship cannot be taught, some geniuses are born with it. Mr. Shabir Momin sure is the crème de la crème of growth-oriented entrepreneurs. On International Men’s Day and National Entrepreneur Day, Shabir Momin’s story is sure to inspire a new generation of leaders to innovate with heart and harbour the curiosity to continually upskill themselves to stand out.
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We had a detailed conversation with the multi-faceted entrepreneur Shabir Momin about his love for technology, business growth strategies, leadership skills, what the future holds for the media and tech industry, & a lot more. Let’s dive right in:
Your entrepreneurial journey began very early on. You were the youngest CTO at 21 at a major tech company! How did you land that role so young which takes people years to reach? Looking back, what key lessons did you learn at that young age that have shaped your career?
Because I taught myself very high level of computer, programming and database etc. much ahead of time. I always ended up becoming the saviour in a crucial work situation over and over again. I got hired for most of my early jobs because the employer would be in trouble handling a tall task and had no-one with the knowledge or capabilities required to do it at that moment.
People would refer to me as that crazy guy who can resolve complicated situations in computers and tech solutions. When I was appointed for the role of CTO of a global giant, I was worried about taking on such a big task and wondered how to manage it successfully. It only hit me much later that I had already been a CTO for sometime now. I would say my madness towards technology and ‘never being scared of a problem’ attitude is what made me land that role, obviously with loads of luck.
As a father of two and someone who manages multiple companies, how do you balance your personal and professional life?
Very very very difficult to be honest, so difficult that I can’t say I am being able to manage it. While my heart is hurting trying to find more time with kids but I also have someone on my ear through the phone explaining a situation which I need to handle. This is how a lot of my hours of the day go but I try to keep it toned down. I’m almost not available during vacations and some holidays; all of us look forward to those times as those are also not many.
In a fast-evolving tech landscape, staying updated is crucial. What practices or habits help you stay ahead of emerging trends, especially with disruptive technologies like Web3, digital media, and AI?
It’s not just critical, it’s what keeps you relevant. If you aren’t upgrading and updating and evolving you would not just be finished, you would be forgotten as well. The best way to learn fast and evolve is to be in tandem with the younger generation. They have high energy and learn fast – which is a great way of thriving in a fast-paced ever-changing world.
But I must say that at the bottom of it all, I truly love technology and that’s why I end up becoming a student whenever I see something new and amazing. I think my generation and I are also very lucky to have seen so much of evolution and change in one lifetime. From writing paper letters to being omnipresent is the ultimate transformation.
You have been lauded with multiple global leadership excellence awards, how would you describe your approach to leadership? What values do you prioritize when leading your teams at NewMedia Holding, One Digital Entertainment, and your other ventures?
Yes, the world has been very kind to me by giving me so many awards. But I feel a true leader is one who makes more leaders, motivates and cultivates the leader in you, provokes you to take chances and risks where you fall, learn, cry and then laugh. The selfish interest of a true leader should be to make more so that the load is more easily shared. If one doesn’t do that, he/ she will sink in the weight or not be able to grow.
At my ventures, we have different captains of the ships. Every day they are learning and growing and I see myself in them from a few years back. Age is not a factor in this, how soon you jump into the leadership fire is how soon you will come out a leader.
What is that one mistake you made in your professional life that ended up working in your favour or left you with a vital lesson for the future?
My life is full of those mistakes and lessons – what I am today is thanks to making many of them. I’ve realised that ‘experience‘ is all about knowing ‘what not to do,’ because ‘what to do‘ is something that everyone knows.
What are the specific skills or mindsets you believe are essential for today’s aspiring young entrepreneurs?
Keep your mind open, you will never be all-knowing. Even a small kid can teach you something. You should be humble, honest, and a listener. Most importantly, share your ideas without thinking someone will steal it from you – it actually helps validate your idea and makes it more stronger.
As a disruptor in the Web3 and digital innovation space, what do you envision as the future of these fields? Are there specific trends you’re especially excited to see unfold?
Web3 is going to be a new standard – this change will definitely happen which no one can stop. So the best way is to understand it and adapt to it. Digital innovation is key to the fast-paced growth we are going through, With AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning) now standing on their own legs, the speed of growth will increase exponentially to a different league altogether.
This ‘magic’ will happen soon. Why I say this is because, when things that you can’t imagine or comprehend today happen, it is called ‘magic.’ Just like if our great grandfathers would have seen us chatting on a FaceTime, they would call it ‘magic,’ is how this ‘magic’ will be for us.
According to you, what are the parameters of success for the modern man?
Coming closer and being more united & respectful to each other globally, should be the parameters of a successful person. While one is trying to do that, on the side they can innovative few things, find some smart solutions to a problem repeatedly. This is a great way in which the world will appreciate you.
Shabir Momin walks the talk when it comes to being a visionary leader. His journey is an inspiration to every budding and passionate entrepreneur. The fact that International Men’s Day and National Entrepreneur Day fall on the same day makes so much sense when you see a thought leader like Shabir Momin who takes on numerous roles effortlessly. We’re so proud to have such a powerhouse personality guiding us toward a future of limitless possibilities and success!
