Victor AbouRahal is an accomplished business leader with over 20 years of experience in driving digital transformation across the Middle East. His professional journey is marked by entrepreneurial success, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to innovation. From founding startups to leading major corporate transformations, Victor has built a career centered on solving real-world challenges with technology and fostering sustainable growth.
Victor AbouRahal | CEO | Nerovate
Victor AbouRahal is an accomplished business leader with over 20 years of experience in driving digital transformation across the Middle East. His professional journey is marked by entrepreneurial success, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to innovation. From founding startups to leading major corporate transformations, Victor has built a career centered on solving real-world challenges with technology and fostering sustainable growth. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2000 when he founded his first startup. This experience laid the groundwork for his future endeavors and sparked his passion for creating meaningful change through business and technology. Over the years, Victor has founded and consulted for multiple companies across diverse industries, culminating in a successful business exit in 2022. This milestone marked not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of his ability to build scalable businesses that deliver measurable value. At EliteX, we are proud to have Victor AbouRahal as part of the edition: 10 Exceptional Business Leaders in 2024.
Currently, Victor serves as the CEO of Nerovate, a Saudi Arabia-based company focused on digital water solutions. At Nerovate, he is leading the mission to revolutionize water management through advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, and machine learning. Before this role, Victor held the position of Vice President of Digital Business at ADNOC Distribution in the UAE. There, he spearheaded innovative digital transformation initiatives, including implementing loyalty programs, AI-driven retail experiences, and strategic modernization projects. Victor’s expertise spans several critical areas, including digital transformation, business strategy, artificial intelligence, and project management. His commitment to continuous learning is evident in his academic and professional credentials. He holds a Global Executive MBA from INSEAD, one of the world’s most prestigious business schools, which helped refine his leadership style and strategic thinking. Additionally, Victor is certified in Project Management Professional (PMP), Six Sigma, and ITIL, equipping him with the tools to drive efficiency, streamline processes, and deliver impactful results.
“A leader is only as good as their team, so investing in their growth is paramount.”
Reflecting on his leadership journey, Victor attributes his growth to continuous learning, mentorship, and emotional intelligence. Early in his career, his dedication to delivering high-quality work earned him the trust of his supervisors and led to leadership opportunities. Over time, he transitioned from being an individual contributor to a leader who inspires teams, encourages innovation, and drives transformation. Victor’s experience at INSEAD was a significant turning point, giving him the confidence and skills to navigate complex challenges and elevate his leadership approach. Victor’s choice to pursue a career in digital transformation stems from his passion for technology’s potential to solve complex problems and drive business evolution. From his early entrepreneurial days to working in industries such as Oil & Gas, Logistics, and Water-Tech, Victor has consistently sought opportunities to create meaningful change. The ability to design customer journeys, implement advanced systems, and deliver solutions that drive efficiency has been a constant source of inspiration. Most recently, he has dedicated time to studying artificial intelligence and its transformative applications, aligning with his mission to stay at the forefront of technological innovation.
At Nerovate, Victor’s leadership is guided by a clear mission: to revolutionize the water industry through innovative digital solutions. The company’s flagship platform, O3 Water Solutions, integrates AI, IoT, and machine learning to help utilities and water operators optimize operations. By providing real-time insights, improving efficiency, and reducing costs, Nerovate empowers its clients to modernize their systems and contribute to sustainability goals. Victor is particularly focused on introducing Lean Management concepts to the water sector, an approach that enhances operational excellence and promotes smarter resource management. Throughout his career, Victor has faced significant challenges, particularly in industries resistant to change, such as water management. Overcoming the reluctance to embrace digital transformation required a strategic approach. By focusing on phased implementation, minimizing disruptions, and demonstrating measurable results, Victor has been able to showcase the value of innovation. He emphasizes linking inefficiencies to financial outcomes, providing dedicated support, and helping clients see the tangible benefits of adopting modern solutions.
As a leader, Victor defines success as achieving a balance between profitability, innovation, and team growth. For him, success is not just about financial results but also the impact created for clients and the industry. Building motivated, high-performing teams that share a unified vision is equally important. Victor takes pride in seeing collective efforts translate into real-world outcomes that improve business processes, reduce costs, and advance sustainability. He also believes that true success lies in an organization’s ability to adapt, innovate, and stay aligned with its mission. One of the most important decisions in Victor’s career was pursuing his Global Executive MBA at INSEAD. The decision required significant investment, time, and dedication, especially as he balanced work, family, and academic commitments. With the unwavering support of his wife, Victor was able to complete the program successfully. The experience proved transformative, expanding his professional network, enhancing his leadership skills, and equipping him with the tools to navigate complex challenges.
“Innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about understanding client needs and addressing real challenges.”
Victor stays motivated as a leader by maintaining curiosity, a sense of purpose, and a healthy work-life balance. His passion for continuous learning drives him to explore emerging trends, particularly in artificial intelligence. By networking, attending industry events, and experimenting with new ideas, he ensures that he remains at the forefront of innovation. Equally important to Victor is taking time for personal growth and well-being. Spending quality time with family, staying active, and pursuing hobbies help him recharge and bring fresh energy to his professional responsibilities.
Innovation plays a central role in Victor’s approach to business. At Nerovate, he ensures that innovation remains embedded in the company’s DNA. Through platforms like O3 Water Solutions, Victor and his team leverage AI and IoT to solve pressing challenges in water management. However, he believes innovation goes beyond technology—it requires understanding client needs, addressing pain points, and fostering a culture that encourages creative thinking. By empowering his team to explore new ideas and solutions, Victor ensures that innovation drives growth and delivers value. To keep his team aligned with the company’s vision, Victor prioritizes open communication, active listening, and mentorship. He believes that a leader is only as strong as their team, and investing in team growth is essential. By creating an inclusive environment where team members feel heard and valued, Victor fosters a sense of shared purpose. He maintains transparency, encourages regular feedback, and provides guidance to ensure everyone stays focused on collective goals.
Victor uses a combination of strategies to stay ahead in his industry. Continuous learning, certifications, and formal education keep him updated on emerging trends and technologies. At Nerovate, the focus on innovation, adaptability, and customer-centric solutions ensures the company remains competitive. By aligning regional needs with localized support, Nerovate is positioned as a leader in digital water solutions, delivering measurable results to its clients. Throughout his career, Victor has achieved several milestones that he is particularly proud of. At ADNOC Distribution, he established its Digital Arm, driving projects like the ADNOC Rewards program, the region’s first loyalty program in Fuel Retail, and a fully AI-driven man-less convenience store launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. As CEO of Boxit4me, he prepared the company for acquisition, leading to a successful exit in 2022. Currently, at Nerovate, Victor is introducing transformative solutions that improve efficiency and reduce costs for water utilities, achieving impressive results such as a 25% increase in equipment effectiveness and a 30% reduction in breakdowns.
Balancing professional and personal life is a priority for Victor, particularly as he splits time between Riyadh for business and Dubai, where his family resides. By organizing tasks efficiently and making time for family activities, he ensures a healthy balance. He values exercise, learning, and personal time, while date nights with his wife help maintain a strong connection. Reflecting on his INSEAD experience, Victor emphasizes the importance of intentional time management to pursue both professional growth and personal fulfillment.
“Success goes beyond profitability; it’s about creating real impact and delivering value to clients.”
Victor offers valuable advice to aspiring business leaders: invest in continuous learning, develop emotional intelligence, and focus on building strong teams. He believes that a positive attitude is more important than experience when hiring and emphasizes the importance of nurturing team members’ growth. Leaders should balance technical expertise with empathy, actively listen, and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Looking ahead, Victor sees significant transformation in the water management industry over the next five years. He predicts that smart water plants with remote operations, advanced sensors, and real-time data analytics will become the norm. At Nerovate, he is committed to driving this evolution by expanding into GCC markets in 2025 and Europe by 2026. His goal is to continue enhancing the O3 Water Solutions platform with AI-driven features, creating smarter and more sustainable water infrastructure.
On a personal level, Victor remains dedicated to continuous learning, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and supporting emerging startups. By sharing his knowledge and expertise, he hopes to contribute to the next generation of leaders while maintaining a balance between professional success and personal fulfillment.
