The Team Behind Island Haven
An incubator born in Gaza during the war, led by a Gazan-international team that believes the talent here deserves a real space, mentorship and support. We don't promise miracles — we build, step by step, with everyone who joins us.
A small team,a vast goal.
We aim to empower a thousand Gazan talents over three years to enter the global digital economy — across three axes: infrastructure & solutions, development & innovation, and global networking & impact. All of it free, backed by NasToNas.
Our mission
We're not building a space — we're building a system that lets every talent in Gaza compete globally with the same tools a developer in Berlin or Singapore has.
— The founding team, Island Haven 2024
From the heart of Gaza — where the space, the community and the path outward are built.
Leadership
The founding team born with the incubator in Gaza — drawing the vision, building the infrastructure, standing behind every talent.
- Founding
Ahmad Ashraf
Executive Director
Builds Island Haven's partnerships with supporting institutions and companies, and widens the incubator's network.
- Founding
Muhannad Maher
Director and founder of the incubator
Leader and founder of Island Haven - he drives the vision of empowering Gaza's youth through the digital economy.
Ruaa
Executive assistant to the director
Supports community management and day-to-day operations at Island Haven.
Mentors
Experts and founders who walk with each team — step by step — from a first commit to Demo Day.
م. باسل أبو ندى
Technical mentor - software engineering and AI
Walks technical teams from first prototype to a product that can scale, and equips Gaza's developers with the tools of the age to build real solutions for their own community.
م. دانا الأغا
Product design and user experience mentor
Helps teams understand their users and build simple, affecting experiences that turn an idea into a product people love.
أ. مازن شعث
Growth and digital marketing mentor
Builds growth channels for early ventures on small budgets, and turns the first users into a loyal community around the product.
Advisors
Business, finance, legal and network advisors who open the hardest doors toward the global digital economy.
أ. هبة العطّار
Funding and investment advisor
Prepares teams to reach funding and grants, and coaches them on building a convincing investment pitch and a sound financial model.
المحامي طارق سالم
Legal affairs and incorporation advisor
Guides entrepreneurs through incorporating their legal entities, protecting their intellectual property and drafting their contracts with confidence.
د. ناصر حمدان
Strategy and business development advisor
Helps teams turn a vision into an executable plan, and build operations that scale on sustainable business models.
Operations
The team that keeps the space and the community running day by day — behind the scenes, without noise.
عبير حسن صالحة
مديرة محتوى
وسيم
Team member
سالي نصار
Team member
علي حجاج
Team member
This teamgrows with you.
We're always looking for mentors, industry experts and volunteers who believe in entrepreneurship in Gaza. An hour, an expertise, a network — each one opens a door for talent that's waiting.