Najib Khouri-Haddad is a seasoned technology executive with hands-on experience in venture capital, general management, marketing, strategic alliances, and mergers and acquisitions. He has worked at renowned companies like IBM, Siemens, 3COM, and HP, and currently holds the position of General Partner at Sway Ventures – a role he has excelled in for the past decade. Najib has served on the board of numerous startups, many of which are VC-backed, and has been actively involved in non-profit organizations like LebNet as Director and now as Secretary for over a decade. Najib is dedicated to mentoring members and providing invaluable guidance to those in need. He has been instrumental in recruiting women to the board and driving the organization's diversity and growth.

Tell us about your journey from Lebanon to your first position in the US.

After graduating from the American University of Beirut (AUB) in 1984 with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, I came to the US to pursue my Master’s degree at the University of Michigan (UM) which I completed within a year. Upon graduation, I accepted a software engineering role at ROLM, IBM’s telecommunication division, trading Michigan’s winter weather for California’s warmth. Originally, I envisioned gaining a few years of experience in the US before returning to Lebanon, provided that the war would end. However, securing a green card and US citizenship, alongside Lebanon’s continuous instability, led me to integrate into the new nation.

What insights can you share about the importance of gaining diverse experiences and exploring different roles throughout your career?

Career shifts and cross-continental moves, although difficult, have enriched my trajectory and spurred my growth. I believe in continuous learning, new experiences, and the avoidance of cruising in a comfort zone. My interest in business led me to shift from tech-heavy roles to management, sales, and marketing. I pursued a Master's in Engineering Management at Stanford University while working, which opened the door to positions in product planning and management at IBM and Siemens, and later in sales and corporate development at 3Com and HP. Transitioning to mergers and acquisitions and venture capital allowed me to directly impact company strategy and contribute to high-profile exits like the Palm Pilot spin-off during the dot-com era.

How would you describe the relationship between Marketing Business Development, Management, and Software engineering?

A solid technical foundation is critical in the tech industry. It gave me instant credibility and a problem-solving mindset that were crucial in every role I took on thereafter. Understanding the technology as an engineer allows for better communication with diverse audiences like salespeople, channel partners, and customers, boosting confidence and public speaking skills as a subject matter expert.

What inspired you to pursue a career as a General Partner at Sway Venture, where you focused on investing in early to mid-stage technology companies for the past decade?

After managing sales for 3Com in the MENA region, I joined a corporate development team in the company in California during the late 90s tech boom. The internet was being built, technological advancement was rapid, and competition was fierce. No company could keep up alone, so acquisitions became a way to move fast into new sectors. I focused on identifying strategic opportunities in M&A and venture investments that would create synergies and long-term growth. Leveraging my tech background and market insight, I led numerous acquisitions and investments, marking my entry into the venture capital world. My product management roles prepared me to seek short-term growth opportunities, while my engineering roles trained me to focus on the present. Driven by a passion to guide companies in their growth strategy, I was inspired to launch and join Sway Ventures in 2013.

Could you discuss your experiences as one of the original architects of LebNet? What were your responsibilities during the initial stages, and what role do you currently hold within the organization?

Elie Habib and George Akiki approached me in 1999 with the idea of creating a networking group for the Lebanese in tech. I joined the board as Secretary during Akiki's presidency in 2012, focused on building a member database, expanding our membership and improving our website’s backend. We established our first fundraising campaign and budget to create a baseline for managing and growing the group. As part of the Executive Committee, I contributed to updating bylaws and enhancing inclusivity within the organization. Over the last 10 years, I've served as Director and am still the Secretary today, mentoring members, promoting diversity, encouraging women to join the board, and providing guidance to those in need.

What do you see as LebNet’s most remarkable achievements and where would you like LebNet to be in the future?

LebNet has established itself as a prominent network of professionals across North America. Its mission to facilitate networking and support members while serving Lebanon with its talent and knowledge has been remarkable. Despite LebNet’s expansive reach, its communities are self-sustaining, fostering activities and attracting participants from different backgrounds. Its mentorship programs, internships, conferences, and events have made a significant impact beyond the 1500 members. Looking ahead, I envision LebNet expanding to become an influential force in North America.

Finally, to close, what is your proudest accomplishment to date?

It takes a village to unwind and rebuild families as they immigrate from another nation. Groups like LebNet alleviate the burden of starting anew by accelerating newcomers' integration and networking. I’m proud to be part of that village. On a professional level, I’m proud of my contributions to significant spin-offs, investments, exits, and product launches. While my career has covered a lot of ground, my greatest accomplishment remains finding balance between my passion and my family – those who have accompanied me on the journey.