Nada Shaheen, corporate venture capital manager of GB Corp: Each week, My Morning Routine looks at how a successful member of the community starts their day — and then throws in a couple of random business questions just for fun. Speaking to us this week is Nada Shaheen (LinkedIn), corporate venture capital manager of GB Corp.

I’m Nada Shaheen, and I manage GB Ventures. It’s the corporate venture capital (VC) arm of GB Corp. I’m passionate about exercising, business, and the startup scene. I spent my whole career in the startup ecosystem and was a founder myself, which is why I feel deeply connected to this community. Beyond my professional life, I’m a sister, friend, and daughter.

I’m very passionate about my work — it’s unlike traditional corporate jobs, and I find it very engaging. I consider myself the owner and founder of what I do. My typical workday involves many meetings with startups to explore their ideas and understand their operations and business models. I also meet with the CEOs of our parent company’s other subsidiaries as well as the team to align our partnerships and collaborative efforts with different startups.

My core vision is to help bridge the gap between startups and the corporate world. That’s why I strive to be a match-maker, connecting the two sides and creating commercial agreements.

We’re the first corporate VC in Egypt. Three years ago, no one knew anything about the startup ecosystem — even the board. I started introducing these two different worlds to each other. I believe corporate VC is important because it combines corporate expertise and market strategies with the agility and innovation of startups. The impact of this union is massive and magical.

We’re trying to encourage other corporate companies to also start their own investment activities. It’s much needed in Egypt. VCs tend to be hesitant to invest in Egypt, but as a corporation with existing operations in Egypt, we’re in a unique position to support local startups. This support doesn’t have to be limited to funding — it can be a combination of money, resources, and services. This approach not only helps the startup grow, but also addresses challenges within the corporation through innovation and technology. It’s a strategic win for both sides. It just requires patience.

If you’re part of the startup scene, you know there’s an event happening almost every day — such as networking meetups and dinners. I really enjoy attending these gatherings and listening to what people have to say about startups, how we can attract more promising ventures to our ecosystem, and how to exchange startups across our portfolios.

My morning routine is very simple. I get up early, pray, and go through my skincare routine. Then I take a shower to start my day refreshed before heading to the office. I like to be efficient — the whole process takes me a maximum of 30 minutes.

I use notebooks to jot down my to-do lists and tasks, even though I also use my phone. Once I’m done, I dive into my meetings and daily schedule. Most of my meetings are in person, as I really enjoy connecting with people face-to-face.

I try to exercise every day amid this busy schedule, usually between work and events. For most of my life, I failed to prioritize exercise, but in 2023, I made the decision to put it first. At first, it was really hard — I used to take my laptop to the gym. Now, my coach and I coordinate our schedules to make it work. Taking this step has transformed my life. I’m more optimistic, efficient at work, and more present in my personal life. It’s become a time to release energy, disconnect, and reflect on the day.

I like to jot down my thoughts during cardio, like when I’m on the treadmill. I document things about business, personal reflections, and things I did during the day. This is when I’m most focused — I just keep writing and lose track of time.

Before Covid, I was a CEO for multiple businesses while working a full-time job — my whole life revolved around work and lacked balance. That’s until I changed my mindset and started to prioritize my physical and mental health as well as my family over everything. This helped me achieve better results and improved my energy levels and confidence significantly.

I mostly read articles about business and the startup scene, and EnterpriseAM is one of the sources I rely on. I also read a lot about corporate VC case studies. Another thing I found really inspiring is an interview series where Anas Bukhash converses with his mom about life. She’s incredible — super smart and accomplished with a PhD centered on the art of boundaries. They explore this concept across several episodes, discussing how to create healthy boundaries between yourself and others.

I’m currently focusing on GB Ventures, which I see as my baby and my business. I’m determined to maximize the company’s potential. I also have several events coming up, including GITEX in Morocco and in Germany — which are important tech and startup platforms. This year, corporate VC is a growing trend, and lots of companies are studying the landscape in Africa and the Middle East.

The best advice I’ve been given is “this too shall pass.” I used to get stuck during tough times, thinking they would never end. But eventually, those challenges passed, and I’d talk about them like they were history. Another piece of advice I’ve found valuable is not to seek validation from external sources — true validation comes from your own values.

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