Iliana Montauk and Laila Abudahi: The Founder of Manara

In an industry often marred by gender disparities, the story of Manara offers a refreshing narrative of transformation and empowerment. This groundbreaking tech startup, led by its remarkable female founders, stands as a beacon of change in the tech ecosystem. Their shared mission is clear — to bridge the gender gap, empower Arab women, and shape a more diverse and inclusive tech landscape. Let's dive into the inspiring journey of Iliana Montauk and Laila Abudahi, the empowered women at the helm of Manara, and explore how they are redefining the role of women in technology.

Embracing the Future: Women in Technology

Today, the global tech industry is witnessing a transformative shift fuelled by the vision of empowered women. One such story of transformation belongs to Manara, a Silicon Valley-based startup founded by two formidable women entrepreneurs: Iliana Montauk and Laila Abudahi. Their mission? To disrupt the status quo and bridge the gender gap in tech by empowering Arab women.

Founding Manara: Meet the Visionary Founders

Iliana and Laila's journey began in the heart of Palestine, at Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG), the region's first tech hub and startup accelerator. Here, they first observed the untapped potential of women in technology. As co-founder and past director of GSG, Iliana, teamed with Laila, a software engineer who carved her own path, noticed the jarring disparity between the significant number of women graduating with computer science degrees and their disproportionately low employment figures in the MENA region.

Recognizing this disparity, the women founders embarked on a journey that would forever change the narrative for Arab women in technology. In November 2020, Manara was officially launched, marking a bold step towards a more inclusive tech landscape.

Iliana Montauk, one of Manara's female founders, is a renowned name in the MENA startup ecosystem. She did her BA in history of literature in France and the Middle East from Harvard University. With her experience leading (Gaza Sky Geeks) GSG and Varo Money Inc., she brings a deep understanding of the challenges and potential of the tech industry in the region.

Laila Abudahi, born and raised in Gaza, represents the epitome of the empowered women that Manara aims to foster. She holds a master’s degree in electrical, electronics and communications engineering from University of Washington. Having hacked her way from Palestine into becoming a software engineer at top tech companies like Nvidia, she embodies the spirit of perseverance and determination.

Unleashing Potential: Manara's Mission and Objectives

Manara, meaning 'lighthouse' in Arabic, serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring Arab women in engineering. The startup's mission is clear: to close the gender disparity in technology, offering Arab women essential training, guidance, and opportunities for networking. Manara’s unique Tech Fellowship, a rigorous 16-week software engineering bootcamp, is the heart of this mission.

These female founders envision Manara as a platform that not only trains women in technology but also inspires them to challenge societal norms and become leaders in their fields. By partnering with leading tech companies, Manara provides job placement opportunities, thus driving diversity and inclusion in the global tech ecosystem.

Embracing the Future: Women in Technology

Today, the global tech industry is witnessing a transformative shift, fuelled by the vision of empowered women. One such story of transformation belongs to Manara, a Silicon Valley-based startup founded by two formidable women entrepreneurs: Iliana Montauk and Laila Abudahi. Their mission? To disrupt the status quo and bridge the gender gap in tech by empowering Arab women.

The Manara Legacy: A Beacon of Empowerment

Manara’s story is a testament to the power of women entrepreneurs in driving change. The success of the startup clearly mirrors the grit of its founders and their unwavering commitment to their cause. Under the guidance of Iliana and Laila, Manara has successfully placed 80 computer scientists and software engineers in renowned tech companies across Europe, North America, and the UAE. With each successful placement, the founders are chipping away at the gender disparities in the tech industry.

Their innovative approach has garnered attention from influential tech personalities and secured $3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by global payments platform Stripe. This, together with the startup's inclusion in the esteemed accelerator program orchestrated by Silicon Valley's Y Combinator, is a clear tribute to the duo's relentless effort and foresight.

Impact of Manara: Empowering Women to Dream Big

The impact of Manara goes beyond job placements and training programs. At its core, Manara is empowering women to break barriers, challenge societal norms, and believe in their abilities. The startup's comprehensive mentorship and support system has helped boost the confidence of Arab women in technology and encouraged them to aim for roles in globally acclaimed tech firms.

Iliana and Laila have successfully created a platform where Arab women can envision themselves as tech leaders, breaking free from the limitations imposed by societal expectations. They have fostered a supportive community that celebrates every milestone and encourages continuous growth, thereby setting a powerful example for future women entrepreneurs.

The Dawn of a New Era: The Rise of Women Founders

As we look to the future, the story of Manara serves as an inspiration for aspiring women entrepreneurs worldwide. It emphasizes the extraordinary talents of women in technology and their crucial role in sculpting the industry's future landscape.

The legacy of Manara's founders, Iliana and Laila, is a witness to the power of women founders in driving meaningful change. Their journey, filled with determination and resilience, serves as a powerful reminder that empowered women can overcome any obstacles and emerge victorious.

In an interview with Entrepreneur Middle East, Iliana expressed:

“Many times we set goals, and by the time we actually achieve them, they don’t feel big enough anymore... Always celebrate every milestone, both alone and as a team.”

This encapsulates the spirit of Manara - a beacon for all women in technology, illuminating the path toward a more inclusive and diverse tech landscape.