Maryam Ahmed Hassani, CEO of Zealous, states, ‘Our goal is to utilize AI to help people

Maryam Ahmed Hassani is deeply committed to democratizing technology and creating equitable opportunities for software developers and businesses. Her mission is to enable faster product launches, cost reductions, and high-quality software maintenance as companies scale. Maryam’s journey began with a BA in Political Science from NYU Abu Dhabi, followed by a role as a strategy consultant at EY, where she honed her skills in innovation and strategic thinking. Her notable contributions include leading the Special Olympics Innovation Challenge and playing a significant role in the MBRIF Accelerator Program, both of which underscored her ability to drive impactful projects.

In 2022, Maryam co-founded Zealous, driven by a vision to leverage artificial intelligence to solve pressing problems in professional networking and event management. Initially, Zealous introduced two flagship products: an AI-powered networking app and the Zaia Event Assistant. These tools aimed to simplify networking and enhance the event experience. Despite their success, it became clear through user feedback that while these products addressed certain needs, they did not tackle a significant enough problem for a large market segment.

This realization led to a strategic pivot for Zealous. The company shifted its focus towards developing an in-house AI framework designed to expedite product development and enhance efficiency. This framework has proven essential for Zealous as a bootstrapped company, enabling rapid iteration of products without the need for extensive additional resources. This pivot marked a significant change from a B2C to a B2B model, aligning with the company’s refined mission to empower and support developers and companies more effectively.

Maryam’s perspective on Generative AI reflects Zealous’s forward-thinking approach. The company’s AI-native framework supports various large language models (LLMs) and emphasizes automation of repetitive tasks. By doing so, it aims to reduce the time spent on testing and enhance code quality, thereby freeing developers to focus on strategic and complex problem-solving. This approach aligns with the broader trend of integrating advanced AI technologies into development processes.

Regarding Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a potential global startup hub, Maryam acknowledges the progress made but suggests that there is still work to be done. The UAE’s substantial investment in AI and the establishment of institutions like the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence demonstrate the country’s commitment to becoming a leader in this field. However, Maryam emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where founders feel welcomed and supported in the long term, beyond just favorable business conditions.

For other technology leaders embarking on their startup journeys, Maryam offers valuable advice: embrace the entrepreneurial process with openness and resilience. She stresses the importance of continuous engagement with users, being receptive to feedback, and leveraging the support of co-founders and mentors. These elements are crucial for navigating the challenges of building a successful startup.

Reflecting on Zealous’s achievements over the past two years, Maryam is proud of the company’s progress and its ability to find a strong product-market fit. Looking ahead, Zealous plans to raise a round of funding to prepare for front-facing customer engagements, particularly targeting software companies and developers. This strategy aims to establish a clear path to revenue generation and continued growth for the company.