Samih toukan biography sample
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acquired Maktoob, marking a landmark moment for MENA’s tech industry and placing the Arab digital market on the global map.
📌 Post-Acquisition — Building Jabbar
After the acquisition, Toukan became Chairman of Jabbar Internet Group, launching and supporting numerous startups—including Souq.com, which became the region’s largest e-commerce platform and was later acquired by Amazon.
🏛️ Public Service
From 2003 to 2005, Toukan was appointed as a board member of Jordan’s Social Security Investment Fund, reflecting trust in his economic and strategic insights.
🎖️ Royal Recognition
On September 9, 2009, he was awarded the Al Hussein Medal of Distinguished Performance (First Degree) by King Abdullah II of Jordan, honoring his contribution to tech innovation in Jordan and the Arab world.
Samih Toukan: The Visionary Behind Arab Tech Revolution
Samih Toukan: The Visionary Behind Arab Tech Revolution
In the early 2000s, when the Arab world was just beginning to embrace the Internet, few could have predicted that a quiet revolution was brewing in Amman, Jordan.
Additionally, he is an investor and board member of the Ruwwad Micro Venture Fund, which provides grants to entrepreneurs in marginalized areas of Jordan.
Toukan’s passion for fostering entrepreneurship is evident in his role as a founding investor in Oasis500, Jordan’s premier startup incubator.
It became more than just a website — it was a community. Initially experimental, it soon adopted the inspiring slogan: “Be Proud, You are Arab”—becoming a cultural and digital statement.
📌 2000 — Scale and Strategy
Maktoob rapidly expanded its subscriber base to over 100,000 global users, transitioning from a small project to a thriving tech company.
Under his leadership, Maktoob became a digital hub for Arabic-speaking users and businesses alike.
Yahoo’s Acquisition: A Milestone for Arab Tech
In 2009, Maktoob reached a historic milestone when it was acquired by Yahoo! for a reported $164 million USD.
Today, Jabbar remains a major investor in internet and tech companies across the Middle East. His efforts have not only transformed the Arab digital landscape but have also inspired countless entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams. A partnership with EFG-Hermes (Egypt) accelerated its regional growth.
📌 2004 — Bold Innovation
Toukan spearheaded campaigns like “Record: I am Arab” (Sajjel Ana Arabi), and introduced a revolutionary 1GB mailbox, one of the world’s largest at the time—cementing Maktoob’s lead in the regional digital space.
📌 2009 — Historic Acquisition
Under Toukan’s leadership, Yahoo!
In 2009, Maktoob was acquired by Yahoo!, marking the region’s largest tech acquisition at the time. Beyond email, Maktoob quickly evolved into a comprehensive platform, offering news, sports, entertainment, and forums.
Growth and Regional Impact
Maktoob grew rapidly, attracting millions of users across the Middle East and North Africa.
to facilitate the transition, but his entrepreneurial spirit soon drove him to new ventures.
The Launch of Jabbar Internet Group
In 2009, shortly after the Yahoo acquisition, Toukan and his partner Husam Khoury founded the Jabbar Internet Group. He also chairs Under My Olive Tree, a nonprofit focused on educational support for underprivileged youth, and serves on the board of Ruwwad Micro-Venture Fund, which aids entrepreneurs in marginalized communities in Jordan.
Samih Toukan is a pioneering tech entrepreneur, best known for founding Maktoob.com in 2000, the world’s first Arabic email service and largest Arab online community, with over 16 million users. One of Jabbar’s most notable successes is Souq.com, which evolved into the Arab world’s largest e-commerce platform. Toukan holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of London and a Master’s in Management and International Business from HEC University in France.
He started his career with Andersen Consulting, co-founding Business Optimization Consultants in 1994 before creating Maktoob.
He developed an early fascination with technology, global business, and communication — interests that would later define his career.
After completing his early education in Jordan, Toukan pursued higher studies abroad. Under his leadership, Maktoob.com grew exponentially, amassing over 16 million users and becoming the largest online Arab community of its time.
Through this platform, he mentors budding entrepreneurs, sharing his wealth of experience and guiding the next generation of innovators.
Recognitions and Accolades
Samih Toukan’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. Do connect on Linkedin.
The 100 Entrepreneur: A Definitive Guide to Success
Samih Toukan
Throughout his pioneering journey in the Arab tech landscape, Samih Toukan has led transformative ventures that shaped the digital future of the region.
His leadership philosophy is grounded in collaboration and innovation. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of London and later earned a Master’s degree in Management Engineering from Imperial College London. At the center of that transformation stood Samih Toukan, a visionary entrepreneur who helped reshape how Arabs communicate, create, and consume online content.