Inside 1trepreneur: A Startup Community Built by Founders, For Founders
The world of startups is exhilarating yet notoriously challenging. From product development to finding the right team, navigating funding rounds, and scaling a business, founders often find themselves wearing multiple hats. But what happens when the very people who live through these challenges come together to create a support system specifically designed for others like them? This is the story of 1trepreneur - a platform that emerged from the shared experiences and vulnerabilities of founders who realized that success isn't just about brilliant ideas, but about support, resilience, and collaboration.
The beginning of 1trepreneur traces back to entrepreneurs Jimmy and Ehtesham, who, despite working in different industries, saw a common thread in their journeys. Ehtesham was building a B2B platform to teach robotics and coding to students, while Jimmy focused on creating e-commerce solutions for B2C audiences. Their paths may have been different, but the hurdles they faced were all too familiar. These two founders found themselves in long, honest conversations about the insecurities, doubts, and challenges that plagued them, realizing that they weren’t alone in feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of the startup world.
In July 2023, 1trepreneur officially launched at the inaugural founders' meetup at Dtec, Dubai, under the simple yet profound motto “founders helping founders.” It was a gathering that would set the tone for what was to come - a community where entrepreneurs could openly share their vulnerabilities, celebrate their victories, and mentor each other through the challenges of building and scaling startups.
By December 2023, the team grew with the addition of Sawad, whose expertise in the Indian startup ecosystem brought an international perspective to their mission. Together, Jimmy, Ehtesham, and Sawad envisioned 1trepreneur as a platform that would not just offer advice but provide real, tangible support through peer-to-peer mentorship.
A Unique Mentorship Model
One of the things that sets 1trepreneur apart is its focus on peer-to-peer mentorship. Traditional startup support systems often rely on top-down guidance, where industry experts share advice with founders. But 1trepreneur operates differently. Here, founders mentor each other. “We require every member to identify their own challenges and strengths before participating in our community,” the founders explain. By creating this kind of reflective approach, 1trepreneur builds a network where founders aren’t just receivers of advice - they’re contributors as well.
“During our founder meetups, each participant delivers a one-minute pitch, which enables attendees to connect with peers who can assist with specific challenges they face.” This format encourages practical, targeted advice, and is designed to connect founders with those who’ve faced the same obstacles, helping them find solutions faster.
This is further supported by 1trepreneur’s speed mentoring sessions with experienced venture capitalists, providing founders 10-minute sessions of focused, actionable advice. While these brief meetings aren’t designed to offer full mentorships, they do provide valuable insight into how founders can improve their pitches, refine their ideas, and approach potential investors.
Addressing Key Challenges in the Startup Ecosystem
The challenges facing startups in the Middle East are unique. The region is experiencing rapid growth in the entrepreneurial sector, but many early-stage founders struggle with access to resources, guidance, and investor networks. 1trepreneur was built to bridge these gaps.
“In the next five years, we envision 1trepreneur becoming one of the most impactful enablers of the startup ecosystem in the Middle East.”
One of the major issues the team is determined to tackle is the high failure rate among early-stage startups in the region. Many founders lack access to consistent mentorship and strategic guidance, leading to missed opportunities and early burnout. 1trepreneur’s peer-driven model directly addresses this by ensuring that founders not only get access to mentorship but also to a community that shares knowledge and offers continuous support.
Success Stories: Real Impact on Real Founders
Since its inception, 1trepreneur has hosted over 30 successful founder meetups, helping startups increase their revenues and build stronger business strategies. “We have hosted over 30 founder meetups since July 2023, helping startups boost their revenues from an average of $80K to as much as $300K monthly,” the team shares.
However, the power of 1trepreneur’s peer-driven model is best understood through the stories of the founders who have benefited from it.
For Yash Bhayani, Co-founder of 2nd Innings, a startup that addresses elderly isolation, 1trepreneur offered much more than just business support. “1trepreneur team came as a God’s gift to us. Our first meeting was unplanned and unexpected during one of their founders' meetups at Dtec, but what they are doing is truly a blessing for the startup ecosystem. They support founders in building a better society without any monetary expectations.”
Joelle Zaran, Founder of 2MO, echoes this sentiment, describing 1trepreneur as a space where founders can build meaningful, collaborative relationships. “1trepreneur creates a unique hub for founders, where they can exchange insights, share hacks, and collaborate to solve common challenges,” Joelle explains.
Abdul Gafoor, Founder of Paci AI, shares how the platform has helped him tackle specific challenges like automating bookkeeping and taxes for businesses. “The team at 1trepreneur is building an incredible ecosystem of support for fellow founders,” he says. For Abdul, the monthly expert talks and speed mentoring sessions were especially helpful, providing him with practical advice from investors and peers alike.
1Tank Pitching at Expand North Star
One of the most exciting initiatives powered by 1trepreneur is the 1Tank Pitch competition. The concept is straightforward - startups pitch their ideas to a panel of investors, industry experts, and High Net Worth Individuals, unlocking opportunities for growth, investment, and mentorship.
The application process for 1Tank draws a wide range of participants, from early-stage startups to school students from Grades 11 and 12. “Over 1,000 startups and students applied to participate in 1Tank,” the founders share. These applications bring in innovative business ideas from both seasoned entrepreneurs and aspiring young founders, ensuring that the competition has a diverse pool of ideas.
The screening process is rigorous, with the judging panel reviewing every application and selecting the top ideas. For the inaugural 1Tank Pitch at Expand North Star 2024, twelve finalists were chosen - 11 startups and 1 student - to pitch live on stage.
The judging panel for the inaugural event at Expand North Star includes respected names such as Asher Siddiqui, General Partner at Sukna Ventures, and Caroline Souchet, Venture Capital Investor at Crescent Ventures. It is set to take place on October 16, 2024, at Hall 2, Elevate Stage, Dubai Harbour.
After Expand North Star 2024, 1Tank will hold quarterly pitching competitions in key cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, providing regular opportunities for startups to pitch to investors and secure funding.
What’s Next for 1trepreneur?
As the platform continues to grow, 1trepreneur’s founders are looking to expand their reach and deepen the support they offer.
A major initiative in the works is the development of an AI-driven matchmaking tool designed to connect founders with the right mentors based on their specific needs. “We’re in the process of developing a specialized, tailored tool using deep tech and AI-driven solutions to facilitate mutual mentoring among founders,” the team explains. This tool will make the mentorship process more efficient, ensuring that founders are paired with the most relevant people who can help them overcome their unique challenges.
In addition to technological innovation, 1trepreneur is also working on partnerships with educational institutions to foster entrepreneurship among younger generations. By connecting university students with seasoned founders, the platform hopes to give students the early guidance they need to validate their ideas and bring them to life. The founders note, “We will facilitate connections between university students and incubators to support idea validation and development.”
1trepreneur’s journey is just beginning. With plans to expand its presence in the Middle East and provide continuous support to its growing community, the platform is well on its way to becoming a cornerstone of the region’s startup ecosystem.
