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Hi, I am

Ali Hilli

I am a coder.

Written Bio

Born on Black Friday, November 13, 1987, I have always considered myself fortunate, with 13 being my favorite number. My journey spans two countries, Iraq and Jordan, where I’ve built a life with my spouse and child. Passionate about football, I am a devoted Manchester United supporter.

My fascination with computers began in 1999 when, at just 11 years old, I excelled in a computing course at the National Center for Computing in Baghdad. Competing with bachelor’s degree candidates and achieving the top rank with a 97% score ignited my lifelong passion for the digital world. Despite an ordinary high school experience at Al-Mansour High School, I found my calling in software engineering, eventually pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Amman Al-Ahliyya University. Graduating with distinction in just three years, I developed a project on social media for businesses, a precursor to what Facebook later introduced as Facebook Pages.

In 2010, I pursued an MBA at NYIT, where my team won the national level of the CFA research challenge, analyzing Jordan’s telecom industry. This victory allowed us to compete at the regional level in London, marking a significant milestone in my academic journey.

Throughout my career, I have founded several initiatives, including the online forum Mr.Iraq and Hilark Co., which focuses on cables trading, training, and software development. My involvement in Startup Weekend events and mentorship roles has deepened my understanding of entrepreneurship, leading to collaborations with sponsors like Zain Jordan and Zain Iraq.

My professional journey includes key roles such as Marketing Manager at Ambro AB, where I built alliances and redesigned marketing strategies, and Freelance Trainer at ICON-INSTITUTE, contributing to vocational training programs in Jordan. As a Youth & Entrepreneurship Consultant at Zain Iraq, I played a crucial role in building the entrepreneurial ecosystem. I helped establish multiple startup communities, organized numerous activities, and collaborated with local and regional partners. My work led to the creation of ZINC, a hub that promotes innovation and supports startups by connecting them with investors and resources across the MENA region. I spent five years at Zain, from 2016 to 2021, driving initiatives that fostered youth empowerment and digital innovation.

Currently, as the Marketing & Communications Director at Miswag, Iraq’s leading e-commerce startup, I focus on driving growth and innovation. My role involves crafting comprehensive communication strategies across various channels, managing partnerships, and participating in startup fundraising operations. My passion for digital transformation and community development continues to inspire my work, as I strive to create sustainable ecosystems that empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

My dedication to social responsibility and community engagement has been a cornerstone of my career. From volunteering with Operation Smile to mentoring young entrepreneurs, I have always sought to make a positive impact. My role at Miswag not only aligns with my professional goals but also allows me to continue fostering digital transformation and innovation in the region. Through these efforts, I aim to contribute to the growth of Iraq’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and drive meaningful change in the tech and business landscapes.

In The Press

This Section Includes Few Mentions in The Press That I'm Honored to Have 🙂

Videos

Al - Hurra Interview

ZainTalk! Interview Al-Rasheed

ANB Interview

Al-Rasheed Radio Interview

1st StartupWeekend Woman Arabia

Roya TV Reportage

#RefugeeCodeWeek - DW English

Articles

Publications

Business Development for Vocational Level

This trainer handbook was developed for the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in the context of the Training for Water and Energy Efficiency Development Program (TWEED) in Jordan. The purpose of this handbook is to provide trainers with the required knowledge and methodologies to effectively cultivate the required entrepreneurial skills and to  professionally facilitate the business development process among plumbers in Jordan.

The content and structure of the training are based on valuable insights which were gained through a preliminary market research mission in Jordan. The training encompasses 7 integrated modules which are based upon the Business Model Canvas (BMC) methodology. The BMC is a framework which is divided into two facets (left side: cost driven vs. right side: revenue driven) and in total encompasses 9 interrelated building blocks (Customer Segments, Value Propositions, Channels,

Responsibility: C0-Author
Titles: Trainer Book, Trainee Book
Languages: Arabic, English

Business Development Manual (Graduates)

his manual was constructed for the benefit of the Ministry of Higher Education’s CDCs, 12 different individuals collected all the resources and put them together, then a German institution did the proof-reading and design for it. The whole project was supervised by the GIZ. When reading through it, bear in mind that it was constructed for all university students in Iraq regardless of their division. It helps them understand basic business principles to kick-off their business and/or become more ready to enroll in the private sector.
the whole structure was imagined to be as follows:
  • Chapter One: Introduction and explanation to the journey ahead.
  • Chapters 2 – 5 : critical thinking and prototyping a business idea (mainly for 3rd grade students)
  • Chapters 6 – 10: intermediate and advanced topics (mainly for 4th grade students)
Today, it is in use in the Intilaq project by GIZ as well as some other projects in universities, being translated into Arabic and Kurdish. finally, its an open source document with 6 pages of the original resources for future additions and modifications by any other organization or entity.
Responsibility: C0-Author
Titles: Business Development Manual
Languages: English