Omar Moharrem and Aziz Sardar are co-founders of Aaqaraty Technologies Corporation, an AI-powered platform dedicated to broker-to-broker collaboration in Dubai’s real estate market. Unlike typical listing portals focused on direct buyers, Aaqaraty builds trust directly into the co-brokering process by creating a verified network where agents can securely connect, share qualified leads, and close deals faster.
What drew you to entrepreneurship?
Omar: I’ve been fascinated by technology since I was 8, and by 14, I was already teaching myself programming, writing those first ‘hello world’ lines, and dreaming up how I could use them to solve real-world problems. At one point, I was so confident in my skills that I actually marched into a bank, convinced they needed my code. Imagine a kid walking up to the front desk, pitching his homemade software! The branch manager gave me a kind smile and said, ‘We already have a system, but thanks.’ Looking back, it’s hilarious—I thought I could just solve their problems right then and there. But instead of getting discouraged, it only made me more determined.
A little while later, a local tailor mentioned he could use a simple program to help his business run more smoothly. I jumped at the chance, and built something for him. Seeing his reaction was an unforgettable experience. It wasn’t about the 20 dollars he gave me, it was that moment of knowing my work had actually helped someone. That experience lit a fire in me, and from then on, I knew I was driven by a passion to create things that make a difference.
Aziz: I was born into a family of entrepreneurs. When my grandparents first immigrated to a small town in rural Alberta, the first thing they did was buy a business to support their family. It started off with a small laundromat and they went on to build, scale and sell multiple businesses, leaving a legacy that inspired my father and eventually, me, to value entrepreneurship as a way of life.
Personally, I believe that entrepreneurship is about creating value for others. It’s a meaningful way of seeing problems as opportunities and ways to make the world a better place.
What problem are you solving, and what is your unique approach?
Our platform is unique because:
- We directly address the trust deficit that hampers efficient co-brokering.
- We're not another property advertising portal; instead, we focus exclusively on facilitating broker-to-broker collaboration without charging listing fees.
- We've co-designed our platform with industry professionals, ensuring it meets the real needs of the market.
In a market where 75% of transactions are co-brokered but plagued by inefficiency and a lack of transparency, Aaqaraty makes working together easier and more effective. Our vision is to expand across the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, bringing streamlined, trusted collaboration to brokers in all major cities.
How did you come across this problem and why did it appeal to you?
After Omar's recent marriage in Egypt, he realized the challenges of navigating the local real estate market as a Canadian.
Faced with difficulties finding reputable brokers, understanding developer reputations, and comprehending varied payment plan structures, Omar was inspired to create a solution that would streamline the property buying process for foreigners. He teamed up with Aziz to develop Aaqaraty, initially conceptualized as a broker matching and review tool to aid international property buyers.
What are you hoping to accomplish for your start-up at the Western Accelerator?
At the Western Accelerator, we're hoping to refine Aaqaraty’s impact by zeroing in on our core value proposition—creating a trusted, seamless experience for broker collaboration in real estate. We are aiming to gather valuable insights from mentors and industry experts, test our product’s market fit, and establish strategic partnerships that can accelerate our growth. This is also a critical time for us to prepare for scaling, so we're focused on building a solid foundation and learning the best practices for sustainable growth. Ultimately, we want to leave the Accelerator with a clear roadmap for expanding Aaqaraty across the MENA region.
What is the biggest lesson you've learned so far during your time at the Wester Accelerator?
One of the biggest lessons we've learned at the Wester Accelerator is the power of collaboration and perspective. Working alongside other teams and mentors has reinforced how important it is to seek diverse viewpoints and test ideas early. For example, through a workshop on customer discovery, we realized that while we were focused on the technical features of Aaqaraty, the core value lies in how we solve brokers’ trust issues. This experience has shifted our approach to prioritize trust-building features that directly address real market challenges. The Accelerator has truly taught us the value of balancing vision with flexibility and has given us insights we might never have uncovered on our own.