Yaser S.

Investment Manager - Web3 / AI / DeepTech | Advisor @ enviPath | Co-Founder/Advisor @ Shakoo Maku

New Zealand Contact Info
2K followers 500+ connections

Join to view profile

About

I am a highly skilled and experienced professional with a diverse background in Civil Engineering and Web3. With over 6 years of experience in the Infrastructure and Land Development sectors, I have a deep understanding of the Civil Engineering industry and a proven track record of success in delivering projects on time and on budget. Additionally, I have over 3 years of experience in the Web3 world, where I have served as a Consultant, Advisor, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Investment at a Venture Capital firm.

I possess a unique combination of technical expertise, business acumen and leadership skills, which allowed me to excel in both the Civil Engineering and Web3 industries. My deep understanding of blockchain technology and token economics, as well as my product design and monetization skills, sets me apart from others in the industry. I am an ENFJ-A personality, which means I have great leadership skills and a high emotional IQ. My strong Business Development and Client Relationship Management skills, as well as my effective Project Management skills, allowed me to excel in both industries.

I am an analytical and detail-oriented professional with advanced mathematical skills and proficiency in data analytics. My exceptional marketing and PR skills, coupled with my excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, make me a valuable asset to any team. I am process and outcome driven, proactive problem solver with a proven track record of success in multiple industries. I have a strong integrity, commitment, and drive to succeed, and I am a self-motivated and proactive individual who can work autonomously.

My experience in Project Management, Senior and Executive Management roles has honed my decision-making skills and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. I am a strong public speaker, having spoken in parliament multiple times in front of key officials and being interviewed live on TV to speak on social and technology issues. I am an extremely capable multi-tasker with outstanding attention to detail, a proven team player and an organized individual who can see projects through to completion.

But my biggest accomplishment and my most favourite role is that I am a father of 2 amazing children! That is my real drive in life! (And Lord of the Rings).

Articles by Yaser

Contributions

Activity

Join now to see all activity

Experience

  • enviPath Graphic

    Strategic Advisor

    enviPath

    - Present 10 months

    Auckland, New Zealand

  • UniServices Graphic

    Investment Manager in Digital Technology

    UniServices

    - Present 1 year 6 months

    Auckland, New Zealand

    - Sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities from University of Auckland staff and students, including due diligence on initial and follow-on investment opportunities.
    - Undertaking investment analysis, such as capitalization tables, financial analysis, opportunity cost analyses, risk assessments, and capital strategy.
    - Assisting inventors in formulating business and development plans, and preparing investment proposals for the University of Auckland Inventors Fund (UoAIF).
    -…

    - Sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities from University of Auckland staff and students, including due diligence on initial and follow-on investment opportunities.
    - Undertaking investment analysis, such as capitalization tables, financial analysis, opportunity cost analyses, risk assessments, and capital strategy.
    - Assisting inventors in formulating business and development plans, and preparing investment proposals for the University of Auckland Inventors Fund (UoAIF).
    - Identifying, contacting, and cultivating commercial partners, collaborators, and co-investors, while negotiating and closing license agreements and other deals.
    - Managing a portfolio of investments and monitoring licensee and investment relationships.
    - Mentoring and guiding Commercialisation Interns, while actively participating in own professional development.
    - Ensuring compliance with IP policies, conducting IP due diligence, and managing the creation, protection, assignment, and enforcement of IP legal rights.
    - Developing and maintaining strong relationships and networks to enable knowledge and information flow, while leveraging social media for marketing, promotion, and communication purposes.

  • Shakoo Maku Limited  Graphic

    Co-Founder/Board Member

    Shakoo Maku Limited

    - Present 5 years 11 months

    New Zealand

    Shakoo Maku TV is a channel dedicated to teaching children Arabic in the Iraqi dialect. My wife and I started this venture when we saw that there were no resources to teach our kids Arabic in the Iraqi accent. We then decided to use music as a tool to teach and implement modern early childhood philosophies e.g. teaching problem solving, resilience, etc.

  • Consultant & Advisor

    Self Employed

    - 3 years 11 months

    Remote

    Assist, consult and advise projects on:
    - Token economy (Consulted as Chief Investment Officer in one instance for a 5 month stint)
    - Strategic advisory
    - Business development
    - Product design
    - Raising strategy
    - Preparation of pitch deck & data room documentation
    - Partnership leads
    - Operations management

    As some projects wish to be anonymous, please DM for list of projects I've advised on.

  • Faculty Group Graphic

    Head Of Investment

    Faculty Group

    - 11 months

    Remote

    Leading a team of Investment Analysts in Faculty Capital's angel investing arm which specialises purely in investing in blockchain start ups. My role includes (but is not limited to) researching/assessing applications/dealflow while managing and overseeing the process for all investments and private allocations for Faculty Capital. Also involved in other roles with various departments e.g. marketing, business development, incubation services, etc.

  • Maven Associates Graphic

    Project Leader / Environmental/ Civil Engineer

    Maven Associates

    - 2 years 7 months

    Auckland, New Zealand

    - Worked on multiple Land Development Subdivision projects to deliver civil design
    - Managed projects and was the team's lead to ensure internal and external deadlines were met
    - Ensured project's budgets were met internally and externally
    - Developed and maintained relationships with high net-worth private developers
    - Maximised ROI on projects by providing technical solutions in the feasibility stage
    - Liaised with regulatory bodies to ensure submitted documents were…

    - Worked on multiple Land Development Subdivision projects to deliver civil design
    - Managed projects and was the team's lead to ensure internal and external deadlines were met
    - Ensured project's budgets were met internally and externally
    - Developed and maintained relationships with high net-worth private developers
    - Maximised ROI on projects by providing technical solutions in the feasibility stage
    - Liaised with regulatory bodies to ensure submitted documents were compliant
    - Led the civil design aspect of projects I was responsible for using AutoCAD/Civil 3D
    - Trained and mentored graduates to keep their billable hours high without compromising project budget
    - Led the company's social club to ensure a winning team culture was maintained at a high standard
    - Liaised with contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, clients, council to ensure all parties were satisfied with the civil work we were designing
    - Prepare and review technical drawings, reports, schedules and other documents
    - Bid and prepare paperwork for tenders

  • Engineering New Zealand

    Engineering New Zealand

    5 years 10 months

    • Engineering New Zealand Graphic

      Vice Chair/Committee Member - Auckland Branch

      Engineering New Zealand

      - 5 years

      Auckland, New Zealand

      - Attend meetings, help organize/coordinate events for student, graduate, intermediate, senior and retired engineers in Auckland

      -Events include IPENZ professional development workshops, site visits, seminars, social events, awards evenings etc.

    • IPENZ Graphic

      Engenerate Ambassador

      IPENZ

      - 11 months

      Auckland, New Zealand

      - Attend meetings, help organize/coordinate events for graduate - intermediate engineers in Auckland

      -Events include IPENZ professional development workshops, site visits, seminars and social events.

  • Terra Group NZ Graphic

    Design/Environmental Engineer

    Terra Group NZ

    - 2 years

    Auckland, New Zealand

    - Land development including roading and landform design of large, residential and industrial projects on greenfield and brownfield sites
    - Site inspections and investigations of existing and for proposed land development, water, wastewater, stormwater infrastructure

    - Preliminary and detailed design of land development water, waster, and stormwater infrastructure

    - Contaminated site investigations

    - Environmental monitoring services

    - Asset inspections and…

    - Land development including roading and landform design of large, residential and industrial projects on greenfield and brownfield sites
    - Site inspections and investigations of existing and for proposed land development, water, wastewater, stormwater infrastructure

    - Preliminary and detailed design of land development water, waster, and stormwater infrastructure

    - Contaminated site investigations

    - Environmental monitoring services

    - Asset inspections and audits

    - Use of technical software – primarily Civil 3D 2017 and HEC RAS, MS Office, etc.

    - Preparation of reports, environmental effects assessments, management plans, sketches and/or finished drawings, contract documents, specifications and schedules, including contract management and construction observation, relating to the above

    - Client liaison and administration
    - Project management and administration – seeing projects through to completion from feasibility stage to completion

  • Unitec Institute of Technology

    Unitec Institute of Technology

    5 years 3 months

    • Unitec Institute of Technology Graphic

      Social Media Moderator

      Unitec Institute of Technology

      - 6 years 8 months

      • Manage the Unitec Civil Engineering Facebook page and become the brand ambassador -
      https://www.facebook.com/pages/Unitec-Department-of-Civil-Engineering/109042375852505?fref=ts
      • Ensure it stays active with constant updates, reminders and announcements of faculty or IPENZ events
      • Set up workshops and promoted them via Facebook for example:
      https://www.facebook.com/events/485380784964611/

    • Unitec Institute of Technology Graphic

      Student Representative

      Unitec Institute of Technology

      - 1 year 9 months

      • Communicate ideas/feedback from students to management or vice versa
      • Help Unitec implement rules and regulations to students
      • Got petitions signed for Unitec to introduce Summer school for the first time in civil engineering history there
      • Went to regular meetings on discussing student wants/needs
      • Supervised orienteering days and motivated high school children to become civil engineers

  • Morphum Environmental Graphic

    Civil/Environmental Engineer

    Morphum Environmental

    - 1 year 9 months

    Auckland, New Zealand

    - Site inspections and investigations of existing and for proposed land development, water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste management facilities and infrastructure
    - Land development including roading and landform design of small to large, residential and industrial projects on greenfield and brownfield sites
    - Preliminary and detailed design of land development water, waster, stormwater and solid waster management facilities and infrastructure
    - Provide services in the…

    - Site inspections and investigations of existing and for proposed land development, water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste management facilities and infrastructure
    - Land development including roading and landform design of small to large, residential and industrial projects on greenfield and brownfield sites
    - Preliminary and detailed design of land development water, waster, stormwater and solid waster management facilities and infrastructure
    - Provide services in the strategic planning of landuse and three waters infrastructure to clients.
    - Provide catchment management, asset management and sustainable urban development planning services.
    - Undertake environmental engineering research and design tasks including innovation, low impact design and development of sustainable infrastructure.
    - Prepare and develop detailed designs and costing estimates to support project outcomes.
    - Undertake field work including site investigations, environmental and infrastructure assessments and construction supervision.
    - Prepare and delegate preparation of detailed project reports to a high standard.
    - Provide project management expertise to projects.
    - Undertake tender preparation.
    - Undertake financial reporting for projects.
    - Compliance with MEL Quality Management, Health and Safety and Environmental Management Systems

  • Labourer/Site Manager Assistant

    Advanced Pipelines

    - 2 years 3 months

    Penrose

    • Rehabilitation of stormwater pipes
    • Understood financial/management aspects of a small scale company
    • Understood the processes involved in rehabilitation
    • Worked as labourer for curing and rehabilitating pipes in different projects around Auckland
    • Helped write/edit tenders as my English Grammar is on point

  • Manager

    Adventureland

    - 5 years

    Adventureland Early Learning Centre

    • Helping establish the business from ground up - achieved full attendance within 3 years at an already-childcare-saturated market
    • Managing up to 9 teaching staff and supervising their work
    • Managing cash flow of business; paying bills, collecting payments, etc.
    • Recruiting and interviewing new staff
    • Marketing, advertising and promoting the business
    • Writing statements to parents every month
    • Exhibiting and coordinating a stall at Child Parent show at ASB…

    • Helping establish the business from ground up - achieved full attendance within 3 years at an already-childcare-saturated market
    • Managing up to 9 teaching staff and supervising their work
    • Managing cash flow of business; paying bills, collecting payments, etc.
    • Recruiting and interviewing new staff
    • Marketing, advertising and promoting the business
    • Writing statements to parents every month
    • Exhibiting and coordinating a stall at Child Parent show at ASB Showgrounds for four consecutive years

  • Timberland Graphic

    Retail Assistant

    Timberland

    - 7 months

    Sylvia Park

    • Serving customers by giving product advice, selling and conducting transactions
    • Achievement: Highest seller in the store for several months despite being new

  • Office Assistant / Marketing Manager

    My Auto Tech

    - 6 years 4 months

    Manurewa

    • Prepare paper work for cars, write invoices, selling and conducting transactions
    • Explain to customers in a simple language what’s wrong with their cars and what needs to be fixed
    • Letter writing, use various programs and software like Synergy
    • Set up stalls during promo periods in malls
    • Shoulder-tapped and hired casual staff to assist at stalls

  • Countdown Supermarkets Graphic

    Cashier

    Countdown Supermarkets

    - 2 years 9 months

    Meadowbank

    Cashier register
    Assistant to our Duty Manager

Education

  • Unitec Graphic

    Unitec Institute of Technology

    Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) Civil Engineering A-

    -

    Activities and Societies: Student Leader, Student Representative, Student Council and Department Committee member

    Graduating in November 2015; I will major in Water & Wastewater, however, I have obtained an A average throughout other papers involving structural, roading, geotechnical, environmental, and survey engineering.

    I am also a student rep and a department committee member. Some of my duties are:

    • Communicate ideas/feedback from students to management or vice versa
    • Help Unitec implement rules and regulations to students
    • Got petitions signed for Unitec to introduce Summer…

    Graduating in November 2015; I will major in Water & Wastewater, however, I have obtained an A average throughout other papers involving structural, roading, geotechnical, environmental, and survey engineering.

    I am also a student rep and a department committee member. Some of my duties are:

    • Communicate ideas/feedback from students to management or vice versa
    • Help Unitec implement rules and regulations to students
    • Got petitions signed for Unitec to introduce Summer school for the first time in civil engineering history there
    • Went to regular meetings on discussing student wants/needs
    • Supervised orienteering days and motivated high school children to become civil engineers

  • Auckland University of Technology Graphic

    AUT University

    Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) Accounting & Commercial Law B

    -

    Activities and Societies: Learned the 4 P's of marketing and implemented it - Product, Price, Place and Promotion.

    Did not finish this as this was not my passion. However I am looking to finish this degree part time over the upcoming years when I work as an engineer.

  • Auckland Grammar School Graphic

    Auckland Grammar School

    Cambridge, AS & A Level A-

    -

    Activities and Societies: Did AS & A level maths, English, history, Latin and economics. I was on the chess team, basketball team, soccer team, debating team and rowing team.

    The best thing I ever did in high school was take Latin for 3 years. It improved my English grammar so much that it has benefited me in every job I have worked in!

Volunteer Experience

  • Teacher

    Pakuranga Sunday School

    - 10 years 10 months

    Children

    • Teaching Arabic reading to students
    • Rolemodel/Teaching 9-12 year old children - teaching ethics
    • Preparing tests and homework for the children to do
    • Motivating children to get better educations in their English schools

  • Public Relations Coordinator

    North Shore Ahlulbayt

    - 7 years 4 months

    Children

    • Fundraising
    • Organising events
    • MC’ing events and functions

Languages

  • English

    Native or bilingual proficiency

  • Arabic

    Full professional proficiency

More activity by Yaser

View Yaser’s full profile

  • See who you know in common
  • Get introduced
  • Contact Yaser directly
Join to view full profile

Other similar profiles

Explore collaborative articles

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.

Explore More

Others named Yaser S.

Add new skills with these courses