In the dynamic and always changing field of digital marketing, effective leadership is crucial. Mohammed Alanzi is the Founder of Digrupt and a visionary whose creative thinking is leading this revolution and changing the industry. Alanzi, possessing a strategic thinking and an acute awareness of future trends, has led his growth consultancy and digital products to unprecedented success and growth.
His story begins as a very curious child wanting to know more about the world through history and geography subjects in school. Mohammed was inspired by al-Zahrawi, Latinized as Albucasis or Abulcasis (from al-Andalus), who was one of the greatest surgeons of the Middle Ages, as he was also an engineer who created tools for his surgeries. Hence, Mohammed pursued his degree in Biomedical Engineering.
Later, he started a horseback academy in Dubai while working there. It began as a fun project, but soon he had many students to whom he taught horseback archery. He organized the first horseback archery competition in Dubai in collaboration with Emaar and a polo academy, which was a big success. Wanting to challenge himself further, he seized the opportunity to build a startup company from scratch in Riyadh, KSA. After moving to Riyadh from Dubai, he built the team, developed the product, and drove sales, achieving 10x growth. After almost two years, he made his exit because his goal was always to build his own company. He submitted his idea to the Misk Entrepreneur Program and was accepted to develop it further with their support.
This essay examines how Mohammed Alanzi’s leadership is establishing new benchmarks for excellence while simultaneously managing the difficulties of the digital landscape. Through the use of cutting-edge technologies and the development of persuasive techniques, Alanzi’s journey serves as an example of the ability of visionary leadership to propel innovation in digital marketing.
What are the main factors that guided you to where you are now?
My involvement in sports growing up (jiu jitsu, freediving, and horseback archery) made me realize my potential as a human being and discover that the limitations I perceived were only in my mind. I then applied these concepts to my professional development. I realized I could build something for myself—a business. I didn’t know exactly what that business would be, but I followed my intuition.
Given your years of experience and accomplishments, what would you say was your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement, I would say, is the significant changes I experienced growing up in a small town in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, then moving to Toronto, Canada, to discover the other side of the world. I brought all these ideas and learnings back to the capital of my home country, aiming to be part of the ambitious Vision 2030.
What is the quote that inspires you the most?
It is a quote regarding wealth. I always remember what one of my professors told me in university: ‘Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it will help you look for it in many other ways.’ It’s true that money doesn’t buy happiness, but having it allows you to give. Giving and providing indeed make us happy, as well as open many other avenues.
How would you balance the pursuit of wealth and success with personal fulfillment and happiness?
We have three different words—happiness, success, and wealth—that have distinct meanings, yet we often mix their concepts or place conditions on them. One thing I know about happiness is not to put any conditions on it because happiness has a certain pride. Saying ‘I will be happy when this happens’ leads you to constantly seek the next condition. A quote about happiness that resonates with me is from the Saudi writer Ahmed Alarfaj, who wrote a book on the subject: ‘The concept of happiness is very big, and anyone who confines it to one cause or reason is a fool.’ However, there are guidelines we should be aware of, as Marcus Aurelius once said, ‘Never forget that it takes very little to live a fulfilled and happy life.’
I believe the greatest success one can achieve is discovering their own potential and leaving their unique mark on this beautiful world.
Regarding wealth, I make reference to my response to the previous question.
What personality traits contributed to you being a successful Co-founder ?
One of my strongest traits that make me a suitable co-founder is my versatility and diverse skill set. I can wear multiple hats and adapt to various roles. Additionally, being a people person, even on a personal level, greatly contributes to my effectiveness. And this is what made me good at building teams and teams are just as important as ideas, and products. Building a team is a skill by itself.
How do you foresee the startup ecosystem evolving over the next ten years in the GCC region, and what strategies are you implementing to stay ahead ?
The startup ecosystem in the GCC has grown significantly over the past decade. Initially, Dubai led the startup scene, but now Riyadh, Doha, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait also have great ideas and amazing startup companies emerging from all major cities. Yet, KSA is the biggest market in the GCC that’s why I am based in Riyadh now. My strategies are simple: securing the right investors for my product and forming strategic partnerships.
In light of your journey and experiences, what message would you like to convey to aspiring entrepreneurs? And what is the most valuable lesson learned from your professional journey?
I believe successful people enjoy seeing others succeed, and this has nothing to do with competition. I love competition and I am a competitive person. Yet, at the end of the day, even if you achieve something on your own, there are people helping you along the way, and you need these people, especially in the beginning. I know this because when I was competing in jiu jitsu or horseback archery, I stood alone on the podium to receive medals. But people don’t see those who helped me with training, like my coach and training partners. I believe thanking people is part of showing gratitude to God.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re particularly excited about?
There’s nothing more exciting than starting your startup and making your first sale. I’m looking forward to the launch of our MVP soon.
