The Finance World Magazine| Edition: April 2023

Cover Story
Industries
slow to adopt
tech or meet
consumer
needs are
at risk of
disruption by
companies
that bridge the
gap and solve
consumer
pain-points.
business case for the “theory” behind
an investment.
When it comes to putting theory in
practice, though, there is no step more
important than the assessment of the
management team and their business
model. This involves assessing the
experience and track record of the
management team, as well as the
potential for scalability and profitability
of the business model.
Q. Could you describe a project
or initiative you are particularly
proud of in your work at Mubadala,
and how your skills and experience
were instrumental in its success?
Hadif Zamzam: One project that I
am particularly proud of during my time
at Mubadala was when I was part of
the Healthcare Unit and helped create
a program to ensure the continuity of
medical care for at-risk, chronically ill,
and elderly patients in the emirate of
Abu Dhabi during the early stages of full
lockdown during the Covid Pandemic.
As someone who has more diabetic
family members than I can count,
this project was especially fulfilling
for me. Despite not being a medical
professional, my skills and experience
were instrumental in the success of
this initiative. I worked closely with
multiple stakeholders, including
healthcare providers, insurers, and
government agencies, to ensure that
patients received the care they needed
during a time of crisis.
I am proud to say that the program
was adopted by the Department of
Health in Abu Dhabi and ensured that
even in the midst of a global pandemic,
care was being delivered to those
who needed it most. Knowing that I
played a role in improving the lives
of vulnerable individuals and families
during a difficult time is one of my most
rewarding experiences at Mubadala.
Q. Could you describe a project
or initiative you are particularly
proud of in your work at Mubadala,
and how your skills and experience
were instrumental in its success?
Hadif Zamzam: One project that I
am particularly proud of during my time
at Mubadala was when I was part of
the Healthcare Unit and helped create
a program to ensure the continuity of
medical care for at-risk, chronically ill,
and elderly patients in the emirate of
Abu Dhabi during the early stages of full
lockdown during the Covid Pandemic.
As someone who has more diabetic
family members than I can count,
this project was especially fulfilling
for me. Despite not being a medical
professional, my skills and experience
were instrumental in the success of
this initiative. I worked closely with
multiple stakeholders, including
healthcare providers, insurers, and
government agencies, to ensure that
patients received the care they needed
during a time of crisis.
I am proud to say that the program
was adopted by the Department of
Health in Abu Dhabi and ensured that
even in the midst of a global pandemic,
care was being delivered to those
who needed it most. Knowing that I
played a role in improving the lives
of vulnerable individuals and families
during a difficult time is one of my most
rewarding experiences at Mubadala.
Q. What are some of the main
challenges or risks associated
with disruptive investment, and
how can we mitigate these risks?
Hadif Zamzam: Disruptive
investments are often made in
emerging technologies or new markets
that are untested, and they rely on
emerging technologies that are still in
development. This means that there is
a risk that the market will not develop
as expected, or the technology may
not work as expected. To mitigate
this risk, investors should conduct
thorough market research and assess
the potential demand for the technology
or innovation as well as the strength of
the company’s development team. There
is also a risk that, after investments
have been made, the management team
may not be able to execute on the plan
or that the plan may not be successful,
which is another reason it is important
to place a huge emphasis on getting
familiar with the management team
and their ability to make it out of a
tough situation.
Q. What makes industries ripe for
disruption and how do you identify
potential investment opportunities
based on these characteristics?
Hadif Zamzam: While there is no
clear-cut method, there are some
symptoms an investor can look out
for. Industries that have been slow
to adopt new technologies or have
not kept up with changing consumer
needs are inherently at risk of being
disrupted by companies that find a
way to bridge the gap and address a
consumer pain-point. Another sign is
an industry which has, historically,
had high barriers to entry, and is made
up of a handful of large players with
significant market power. Small startups
with significantly higher levels of
30 www.thefinanceworld.com April 2023