Aziz El Hachem
About Aziz El Hachem
Aziz El Hachem is a Program Manager specializing in Smart Cities at Plug and Play Tech Center, with extensive experience in startup investment and accelerator program development across Africa. He holds a Master's degree in Digital Project Management from ESCP Europe and has a background in Economics from Lebanese American University and UCLA.
Work at Plug and Play Tech Center
Aziz El Hachem currently serves as the Program Manager for Smart Cities at Plug and Play Tech Center, a role he has held since 2020 in Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco. He previously worked as a Program Manager focusing on Mobility and IoT from 2019 to 2020 in San Francisco, California. During his tenure, he led the establishment of Plug and Play's first African office, where he was responsible for hiring a team and setting up the headquarters in Morocco. He has also conducted due diligence on startups and recommended investments in five African startups.
Education and Expertise
Aziz El Hachem has a diverse educational background. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Lebanese American University, completing his studies from 2014 to 2018. He pursued further education at ESCP Europe, where he obtained a Master's degree in Digital Project Management from 2018 to 2019. Additionally, he completed non-degree coursework in Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles during the Summer Sessions in 2016. His academic pursuits have equipped him with a strong foundation in project management and economic principles.
Background
Aziz El Hachem has a varied professional background, beginning his career in Beirut, Lebanon. He worked briefly in financial consulting at PwC Middle East in 2017 and held positions in wealth management at Julius Baer and as a Brand Ambassador at Leo Burnett. He also served as a Public Relations Officer for the GC LAU Model United Nations from 2016 to 2018. His experiences in diverse roles have contributed to his expertise in program management and startup acceleration.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Aziz El Hachem has made significant contributions to the startup ecosystem in Africa. He designed and implemented a leading accelerator program that supported 30 startups founded by regional entrepreneurs. His work in conducting due diligence on promising startups has led to strategic investment recommendations for Plug and Play HQ. These initiatives reflect his commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.