Raul Handa

"Success is not just about achieving goals it's about building a legacy of integrity, innovation, and impact. True leaders inspire growth, not just in business, but in people."

LEADING WITH VISION MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION

I’ve never believed in doing business just for the sake of it. For me, it’s always been about people creating lasting value that inspires and empowers.

Born in Kuwait and based in Dubai, my leadership journey blends Eastern values with Western strategy. As Founder & CEO of The Forttuna Group, I lead a diverse enterprise spanning awards, entertainment, AI, mentorship, and digital storytelling. The Forttuna Global Excellence Awards, now in its fourth year, honors leaders from over 100 countries.

From hosting The FFTB Show to launching Gen-E and the Forttuna Startup Excellence Program, my mission remains clear: amplify voices and scale impactful ideas. I’m a Stanford Seed consultant, Forbes Business Council member, 3x TEDx speaker, and Global Business Consultant, having mentored hundreds and addressed global audiences.

In 2025, I took on a new role as Advisor International Cooperation & Outreach to the Permanent Observer of the Pan African Intergovernmental Agency for Water & Sanitation (WSA) to the UN. I’m currently pursuing my Doctorate in Business Administration and writing my debut book on the lessons that shaped my journey.

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INNOVATION & INFLUENCE

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3 Times TEDx Speaker

As a 3-time TEDx speaker, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my thoughts on leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation on some of the world’s most renowned stages. My mission? To ignite curiosity, challenge perspectives, and inspire action. Through my talks, I aim to empower audiences to think beyond the status quo, embrace bold new ideas, and take courageous steps toward creating real change. It’s about sparking those pivotal conversations that push boundaries, foster creativity, and help individuals leave a positive, lasting impact on their businesses and communities.

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Stanford Seed Consultant

As a Stanford Seed Consultant, I work with emerging entrepreneurs to help them scale their businesses and navigate complex challenges. With access to a global network of mentors and resources from Stanford University, my focus is on guiding businesses toward sustainable growth through strategic insights, operational improvements, and leadership development. My role is to empower entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge needed to accelerate their impact and drive meaningful change in their industries.

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Advisor to the Permanent Observer and United Nations

As an Advisor for International Cooperation and Outreach to the Permanent Observer of the Pan African Intergovernmental Agency for Water and Sanitation (WSA) to the United Nations, I play a key role in strengthening global partnerships and advancing initiatives related to water and sanitation across Africa. My responsibilities include fostering diplomatic relations, facilitating strategic collaborations, and promoting initiatives that address water access, sanitation, and sustainable development on the international stage. Through this role, I help drive impactful policy discussions and support the WSA’s mission to improve water and sanitation systems across the continent.

INVESTING IN INNOVATION, EMPOWERING STARTUPS

With years of experience in managing large teams and scaling businesses, I’ve honed the ability to identify high potential startups and help them navigate their growth journey with agility, resilience, and precision. But my investment doesn’t stop at financial backing. I’m deeply committed to mentoring founders, refining business models, and ensuring that their growth is sustainable in the long run.

I’m particularly passionate about emerging technologies AI, Web3, and other disruptive solutions-that have the power to revolutionize industries. My goal is simple: to create a thriving ecosystem where visionary ideas not only survive but flourish, leaving a lasting impact on the world.

For me, entrepreneurship isn’t about fleeting success it’s about creating value that endures, that empowers others, and inspires future generations to follow suit. Whether I’m guiding a startup founder, fueling innovation through investments, or collaborating with bold thinkers, my mission remains the same: to empower those who dare to innovate, lead, and make a difference.

BEYOND THE COVER

Breaking & Building: Lessons from My Biggest Mistakes

In this book, I take you through my journey as an entrepreneur the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Too often, success stories focus only on the victories, but real growth comes from failures. I’ve built businesses, scaled teams, and made decisions that shaped my career but I’ve also made mistakes that cost me time, money, and opportunities. This book is a deep dive into the hardest lessons I’ve learned in business, from misjudging market needs and hiring the wrong people to scaling too fast and underestimating execution challenges. I break down these failures, analyze what went wrong, and share the frameworks that helped me turn setbacks into stepping stones.

You'll find practical insights on:

  • ● Avoiding common entrepreneurial pitfalls that most founders face but rarely talk about.
  • ● The art of decision making how to navigate uncertainty, take calculated risks, and make tough calls.
  • ● Scaling a business the right way understanding when to grow, when to pivot, and when to step back.
  • ● The importance of resilience and adaptability how to keep moving forward when things don’t go as planned.

BRANDS I’VE BUILT, BATTLES I’VE WON

THE TRENDING TRIO