Women Of Influence 2025: Blossom Accelerator's Emon Shakoor

Having founded Blossom Accelerator in Riyadh when she was just 23 years old, Emon Shakoor has since grown it to become one of the region’s most inclusive innovation and investment platforms, with operations across nine countries. With Shakoor as CEO, Blossom has built partnerships with governments, sovereign wealth funds, and Fortune 500 companies to drive the growth of the startup economy in Saudi Arabia through its offering of scalable, tech-enabled programs for founders across the region. “What began as a bold idea has become a lifelong mission,” Shakoor says. “Next year marks 10 years since I founded Blossom, and the journey has been nothing short of transformational.”

Shakoor credits Blossom with opening her eyes to the trials and tribulations of building a business and remaining committed to it—a lesson that she still carries with her today. “Throughout the years, I’ve stayed grounded in my purpose—often saying, ‘I say no to other people’s no,’” she says. “That mindset has been a guiding principle. Whether navigating skepticism, gatekeeping, or shifting market tides, I’ve built by pushing forward when others would’ve paused. That resilience— and refusal to accept arbitrary limitations—has shaped not just my career, but the culture of Blossom itself.”

Shakoor’s outlook also aligns closely with the shifts underway as more women take on leading roles across the region’s business landscape. “The growing presence of women in leadership has helped bring more diversity of thought, emotional intelligence, and multidimensional problem-solving into industries like innovation and venture capital,” Shakoor points out. “But what’s most exciting is how ecosystems are increasingly designed to be more collaborative, inclusive, and opportunity-driven for everyone. In the case of Saudi Arabia, the transformation has been extraordinary. As a founder operating from Riyadh, I’ve witnessed firsthand how KSA’s Vision 2030 has created fertile ground for innovation, talent development, and economic participation across all segments of society, including youth, women, and global talent.”

Lessons Learned: Q&A with Emon Shakoor

Looking back on your journey, if there is one piece of advice you’d give yourself before you embarked on your career, what would that be? Additionally, if you could go back in time and tell yourself something that you should avoid or simply not do, what would that be?  

If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self: “You don’t need to prove your worth—just build. The evidence will speak louder than validation ever will.” 

And I’d also offer this caution: “Don’t waste energy shrinking to fit expectations that were never designed for you. Don’t wait for approval. Don’t negotiate your ambition.” The biggest risks I’ve ever taken were the ones rooted in authenticity—and those have always paid off. 

To young women coming up now: leadership is not about perfection or pedigree. It’s about conviction, clarity, and the courage to show up fully—even when the room wasn’t built with you in mind. 

Pictured in the lead image is Emon Shakoor, founder and CEO of Blossom Accelerator. Courtesy of Blossom Accelerator.

Emon Shakoor was one of Inc. Arabia's Women of Influence 2025, a showcase of 30 women rewriting the rules of business in the MENA region. For the full list, please click here.