THE FOUNDER
From creative execution
to company building.
I’m Awwad Shakshak, Founder & CEO of SOVO. I’m building a social commerce ecosystem that connects travel inspiration with the journey to an actual trip.
My background spans go-to-market strategy, digital marketing, creative direction, market research, negotiation and product development. Today, that experience shapes how I approach product, distribution, partnerships and company building.
I’m based in Egypt, with SOVO’s initial market strategy focused on Singapore and a planned expansion across APAC.
Follow my founder journey on LinkedIn ↗CURRENT VENTURE / SOVO
Connecting inspiration
with the trip.
The problem I’m working on
Travel discovery has become social. People find destinations through creators and social platforms, then move between disconnected services to research, plan and book. I see an opportunity to connect those steps into a more coherent journey.
What I’m building
SOVO is being developed to bring travelers, creators, travel agencies and travel products into a more integrated ecosystem. My current focus is building and validating the venture, developing partnerships and shaping its route to market.
Singapore
Develop the initial go-to-market strategy and partner relationships.
APAC
Build on market learning to shape regional expansion.
Global
Design the ecosystem with international scale in mind.
SOVO is in development and validation. This sequence describes the strategy and ambition, rather than a claim of current operations in these markets.
EXPERIENCE & PERSPECTIVE
The experience behind
my decisions.
Founder & CEO · SOVO
September 2026 – presentBuilding and validating the venture, developing travel agency and creator partnerships, pursuing fundraising conversations, and establishing the Singapore / APAC go-to-market strategy.
Managing Partner & Brand Strategist
THE-LADIESROOM
December 2021 – November 2025Co-founded a digital agency focused on US small and medium businesses. My work covered cross-border team coordination, localized marketing, creative delivery, financial modeling and market intelligence. Introducing AI-assisted workflows and building organic content channels strengthened my interest in how strategy becomes repeatable execution.
Creative & commercial work
2021 – 2026Freelance video editing, social media design and copywriting, alongside marketing direction at Rakeen Furniture and insurance brokerage and financial analysis at Misr Life Insurance. This work built my grounding in audience behavior, communication and commercial decision-making.
Education
BA, Library and Information Science
Benha University · 2017–2021
MBA, Business Administration and Management
Quantic School of Business and Technology
In progress · expected June 2027
Areas of continuing learning
Negotiation, generative AI for business, sustainability, ESG and SEO. I bring these perspectives into the practical work of building a company and understanding its market.
WORK TOGETHER
Start with a shared opportunity.
I welcome focused conversations with people who can help shape the future of travel commerce.
Businesses & strategic partners
For travel agencies, travel product providers, creators and potential distribution partners: let’s explore where your work intersects with SOVO, what your customers need, and what a useful collaboration could look like.
Discuss a partnership ↗VCs & angel investors
For investors interested in travel, social commerce and the creator economy: I’m open to conversations about SOVO’s thesis, product direction, validation priorities and Singapore / APAC strategy.
Start an investor conversation ↗Contact me directly
contact@awwadshakshak.comPlease include your name, organization, what you’re working on and the opportunity you see for us to collaborate. For investment introductions, a little context on your focus and stage of interest is helpful.