Sometimes competitors, sometimes collaborators

We had the privilege of speaking with Mrüna’s Managing Director Ziad Hussami, who answered some of our questions about their collaboration with Ecobuild. We also got to speak to the Ecobuild’s leader, CEO Nour Kaadan. Both Farheen and Nour are going to judge at the Gulf Sustainability and CSR Awards 2020.

So, we wanted to know how long this collaboration has lasted and what Ziad had to said about it:

“Approximately two years. Mrüna is a young company of fewer than two years.  Ecobuild is also a relatively young company. We are both tiny players in an industry that has become increasingly consolidated by large mergers and acquisitions among giant multinational engineering and consulting firms. Our role is to provide specialized services and innovation that large engineering firms don’t have the skillset to deliver. We move quicker into emerging fields and establish informal relationships with experts from all over the world and exploiting the latest trends of the gig economy. The key here is to act as a human resources expert of sorts that is nimble and flexible enough to find the right fit for the job. Large multinationals are sometimes trying to fit a square peg in a round hole and take on work offer solutions that are best suited for the existing services they offer rather than what is best suited for the job.”

Now in its fourth edition, the Gulf Sustainability and CSR Awards enables businesses across the Gulf to compete for the ultimate accolade in the world of sustainability and corporate social responsibility. By gathering hundreds of business professionals together under one roof, the Awards offer unparalleled brand positioning and networking opportunities. This event is not to be missed.

“These events might be a convenient and relaxed way to open the conversation about potential opportunities going forward and to discuss the direction that the industry is going. Small consulting acts almost as frenemies: in some instances, we are competitors, and in others, we are collaborating. We each try and occupy a particular niche and possess our clientele.” 

In the end, we wanted to hear about Mrüna’s next projects. Here’s what their Managing Director, Ziad Hussami, had to say:

“Globally, less than 10% of collected wastewater receives any form of treatment. Despite significant investments in wastewater treatment infrastructure, levels of treatment in rapidly urbanizing, low-income urban areas are not keeping pace with population growth.
UNICEF awarded Mruna funds donated by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to pilot emerging technologies in the wastewater treatment sector. We are exploiting a nature-based system and wind energy to treat water in the same way as freshwater ecosystems.
Also, the MIT Enterprise Forum, a Pan Arab global network of chapters dedicated to the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation worldwide, selected Mruna as a semifinalist among the region’s leading startups.”

You’ll have the chance to meet Ziad Hussami and Farheen Khanum from Mrüna and Nour Kaadan from Ecoubild at the Gulf Sustainability and CSR Awards. As we keep building up to the Awards, we’d love you to share your story with us.

It’s easy, CONTACT US and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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