Hussein Rifai
Founder & Strategic Advisor
Cairo,Egypt
Summary
Experienced founder and executive leader with a 20+ year track record in real estate development, architecture, and PropTech innovation. Scaled INERTIA Holding into one of Egypt’s leading real estate groups, launched multiple verticals across construction and infrastructure, and most recently, developed AI-powered real estate ventures transforming property ownership and brokerage models. A Harvard OPM graduate and Endeavor Entrepreneur with a sharp ability to lead cross-functional organizations, drive transformation, and execute on long-term growth strategies.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Founder & Strategic Advisor
Easykey.ai & TALIA
01.2024 - Current
- Co-founded and advised two AI-driven PropTech companies focused on transforming Egypt’s secondary market and brokerage operations.
- Developed AI engine and platform architecture with proprietary market insights and end-user data.
- Supported branding, investor relations, and go-to-market strategies during pre-seed and seed phases.
Founder & CEO
Ventures Developments
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Launched a niche real estate development firm focused on boutique residential and mixed-use communities.
- Identified unique land plots with high potential for value creation through design and tech.
Founder & CEO
Linchpin Heft
01.2018 - 01.2024
- Founded a high-end finishing contractor for luxury residential and commercial spaces.
- Built proprietary quality standards for custom finishes in Egypt’s top-tier compounds.
- Led design-build projects with a focus on operational excellence and material innovation.
Founder & CEO
Marrafig
01.2017 - 01.2024
- Founded Marrafig to deliver end-to-end infrastructure contracting services.
- Built internal engineering and execution teams to handle civil, electrical, and mechanical infrastructure work.
- Focused on strategic partnerships with developers and municipalities to ensure large-scale delivery pipelines.
Chairman & Co-Founder
INERTIA Holding Group
01.2007 - 01.2022
- Scaled INERTIA from concept to a multi-billion EGP real estate group with 10 projects across the country and a 6.5M sqm land bank.
- Introduced Egypt’s first revenue-sharing development model.
- Built and led integrated business structure comprising Inertia Properties, Inertia Construction, and Aura Design.
- Led strategy, investor relations, and land acquisition.
- Responsible for all governmental relations.
- Responsible for building relations with financial institutions.
- Oversaw all project delivery and business transformation efforts.
Chairman & CEO
INERTIA Construction
01.2007 - 01.2022
- Responsible for the P&L of the construction business.
- Developed a project management model that partnered with small-scale specialized contractors to enhance their capacities.
- Implemented corporate quality assurance and quality control systems and procedures.
- Oversaw internal assessment and compensation mechanisms for internal teams.
- Managed all project execution plans and construction cash flow.
Education
Owner/President Management Program - OPM
Harvard Business School
04-2020
Diploma - Construction Engineering
American University in Cairo
01.2003
BSc - Architectural Engineering
Cairo University
Egypt01.2000
Skills
- Multi-sector Real Estate Development
- Company Formation & Scaling
- Strategic Planning & Corporate Governance
- Stakeholder Management & Fundraising
- MENA Market Expansion and Presence
- Building the Needed Personnel Capacities
Awards
Board Member, Endeavor Egypt (2022–Present), Entrepreneur of the Year, Endeavor Global (2019), Endeavor Entrepreneur, Egypt (2015), EEA (Egyptian Entrepreneur Award) Board Member (2021–Present)
About me
- Date of Birth: 17 May 1978
- Marital Status: Married
- Family: Proud father of 5 children, navigating the joys and chaos of raising a dynamic household—from a 21-year-old daughter exploring love and independence, to a 5-year-old seeking playdates and cuddles, and everything wonderfully in between.
- I am passionate about building and investing in impact-driven businesses and that’s why I have few investments in PropTechs, FinTechs, and others in Egypt, Europe, and the US. I live sports in all forms—playing, watching, and supporting.
Timeline
Founder & Strategic Advisor
Easykey.ai & TALIA
01.2024 - Current
Founder & CEO
Ventures Developments
01.2022 - 01.2024
Founder & CEO
Linchpin Heft
01.2018 - 01.2024
Founder & CEO
Marrafig
01.2017 - 01.2024
Chairman & Co-Founder
INERTIA Holding Group
01.2007 - 01.2022
Chairman & CEO
INERTIA Construction
01.2007 - 01.2022
Owner/President Management Program - OPM
Harvard Business School
Diploma - Construction Engineering
American University in Cairo
BSc - Architectural Engineering
Cairo University
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