A Chat With Omar Hafez, CEO Of Think Big Technology And US50 Judge

Tell Us About Yourself And Think Big Technology

I鈥檓 the Founder & CEO of Think Big Technology, where we build enterprise software and AI solutions that help organisations modernise complex, traditionally underserved industries. My background is in enterprise technology, and I鈥檝e always been passionate about applying emerging technologies to solve practical business problems rather than chasing trends.

At Think Big Technology, we work with founders and established businesses to design, develop and scale software products that create measurable impact. That philosophy has also led to ventures like FireDesign.ai, where we鈥檙e applying AI to transform engineering workflows and redefine what鈥檚 possible in the built environment.

What Interests You Most About The US Startup Ecosystem In 2026?

What excites me most is that we鈥檙e moving beyond the hype phase of AI. Founders are no longer asking how to add AI to a product, they鈥檙e asking how AI fundamentally changes the way industries operate. That鈥檚 creating opportunities in sectors that have historically been overlooked, from engineering and construction to manufacturing and healthcare.

I鈥檓 also encouraged by the growing number of founders solving deeply practical problems. The companies that will define this decade won鈥檛 necessarily be the ones with the flashiest technology, they鈥檒l be the ones delivering measurable value to real customers.

What Do You Hope To See From US50 Entrants In 2026?

I鈥檓 looking for founders who have a deep understanding of the problem they鈥檙e solving. Great startups don鈥檛 begin with technology, they begin with customer pain. I want to see companies that have spoken to users, validated demand, and built products that people genuinely need.

Execution also matters. Vision is important, but I鈥檓 equally interested in how founders think, how quickly they learn, and how they adapt when reality doesn鈥檛 match the original plan.

What Advice Would You Give To Companies Entering US50 This Year?

Focus less on sounding impressive and more on demonstrating impact. Investors, customers, and judges are all looking for evidence that your product solves a meaningful problem.

Be clear about why your company exists, what makes your approach different, and how you鈥檙e creating value. Authenticity and measurable progress are far more compelling than buzzwords.

What Do You Think Entrants Can Do To Stand Out From The Competition?

The strongest startups have clarity. They can explain their business in a way that鈥檚 simple, memorable, and immediately understandable.

Show traction wherever possible, whether that鈥檚 customer adoption, revenue growth, user engagement, or meaningful milestones. Most importantly, demonstrate that you鈥檝e built something difficult to replicate. Technology alone isn鈥檛 enough, lasting companies build defensible advantages through execution, customer trust, intellectual property, or unique insight into their market.

What Is Your Number One Piece Of Advice To Aspiring Entrepreneurs?

Build something people genuinely need before worrying about building something big.

It鈥檚 easy to become distracted by fundraising, media attention, or rapid growth, but sustainable companies are built by consistently solving real problems for real customers. If you stay obsessed with delivering value, the opportunities tend to follow.