Co-Founder & Investment Partner | GAZELLES

Role Type: Founding Team | Equity-Based Leadership PositionAbout Gazelles:Gazelles is a global Sustainability & Operational Excellence company at the forefront of one of the most significant enterprise market shifts of our generation. Over 12 years, we have delivered measurable transformation across 150+ enterprise projects, trained 9,000+ professionals, unlocked $750M+ in cost savings, and maintained a 98% client retention rate — built on a foundation of trust, delivery, and deep domain expertise across the GCC and beyond.We are not simply a consulting firm. We are building the next generation of enterprise sustainability infrastructure — combining hands-on advisory with a proprietary digital platform ecosystem that includes ECOPSHUB®, CBAM by Gazelles, IdeaForge™, and GreenSource™, all powered by our AI intelligence engine, AskDiana.Our mission is to become the world's most trusted integrated platform for sustainable enterprise transformation — spanning ESG strategy, Lean Six Sigma, ISO certification, digital transformation, and AI-powered operational intelligence.The Market Opportunity — Why Now:The timing for this opportunity could not be more compelling. The global ESG software market is currently valued at USD 4.20 billion (2025) and is projected to reach USD 31.96 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 22.5% — making it one of the fastest-growing enterprise software segments in the world today (Source: Precedence Research, 2025).ESG Software Market=$4.20B (2025)→$31.96B (2035) at 22.5% CAGRThis growth is not speculative — it is being driven by powerful, irreversible forces. Regulatory mandates such as the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which now compels over 50,000 companies to file structured ESG disclosures, and the SEC's climate-risk disclosure rules requiring Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions data from public registrants, have turned ESG platforms from a "nice-to-have" into a compliance imperative. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, which is growing at a 25% CAGR, new mandatory disclosure frameworks in India (SEBI BRSR Core), Japan, South Korea, and Singapore are opening greenfield markets where ESG software penetration is still below 8% of qualified firms. The Middle East, Gazelles' home ground, is accelerating rapidly — with UAE and Saudi Arabia ESG mandates now in force under Vision 2030 and the Abu Dhabi Global Market framework — positioning the GCC as one of the most strategically lucrative markets in the sector.Gazelles sits directly at the centre of this wave — with 12 years of established enterprise relationships, a proven delivery track record, and a proprietary AI-powered platform already live and generating results. We are not entering this market; we are scaling within it.About the Role:This is not a conventional executive hire or a consulting engagement. We are seeking a genuine Co-Founder and Investment Partner — someone who wants to co-own a category-defining company from a position of strength, and participate meaningfully in both the risks and rewards of doing so.The selected individual will join the founding leadership team with equity ownership in Gazelles, contribute to shaping the company's global strategy, and make a financial investment as part of the co-founding partnership structure. The investment amount is not fixed — it will be discussed individually based on experience, strategic contribution, capabilities, and the agreed equity structure.This role is fundamentally anchored in Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, and Go-to-Market Strategy — and is designed for someone who thrives at the intersection of enterprise relationships, market expansion, and high-stakes commercial deal-making.What We Are Looking For:We are seeking a partner who brings one or more of the following to the table:Go-to-Market expertise -the ability to design and execute market entry and revenue growth strategies across enterprise B2B segments in MENA, South Asia, and global markets, converting a strong brand reputation into scalable commercial pipelinesStrategic partnerships and business development - a demonstrated track record of building high-value relationships with corporates, government entities, sovereign wealth funds, multilateral organizations, and industry bodiesCapital investment into the company, paired with active operational contribution and genuine co-ownership mentalityFundraising and investor network - meaningful connections with institutional investors, family offices, ESG-focused funds, or impact capital aligned with the sustainability and climate tech spaceStartup or growth-stage scaling experience -a deep understanding of how to take a proven business model with strong unit economics and expand it deliberately across new geographies and verticalsIndustry domain knowledge - in ESG, sustainability, Operational Excellence, ISO standards, enterprise SaaS, or adjacent sectors where Gazelles operatesOperational or technology leadership - the ability to build and lead high-performance teams with clear accountability, strong culture, and execution discipline at scaleIdeal Candidate:You may be a Startup Founder who has built and scaled a B2B enterprise business and is looking for your next high-impact venture in a sector with proven, regulation-driven tailwinds. You may be an Angel Investor or Venture Partner who wants an active operating role rather than a passive position at the table. You may be a Senior Executive from the consulting, sustainability, technology, or enterprise services world, ready to trade a salary for meaningful ownership and the chance to shape something enduring. You may be an Entrepreneur with capital, deep corporate and government networks, and the ambition to co-build one of the most relevant enterprise brands in the GCC and beyond.Most importantly, you must be deeply comfortable with ownership, accountability, and long-term thinking — and you must believe, as we do, that the convergence of AI, ESG, and Operational Excellence represents one of the most significant and durable enterprise market opportunities of the next decade.Responsibilities:As Co-Founder, your primary mandate will be to drive the commercial and strategic growth of Gazelles at a global level. This means working directly with the Founder to define and execute market expansion strategies; architecting and leading go-to-market plans for both the consulting practice and the ECOPSHUB® digital platform ecosystem; building and nurturing high-value strategic partnerships with enterprises, governments, associations, certification bodies, and technology partners; opening doors to new geographies, industry verticals, and enterprise client segments; leading fundraising conversations and representing Gazelles credibly to investors, partners, and stakeholders; contributing to hiring, leadership culture, and team building; and participating as a true equity co-owner in key product, pricing, and business model decisions.Investment Requirement:As part of the co-founding partnership, candidates should be prepared to make a strategic financial investment into Gazelles. The investment amount will be determined through mutual discussions and will depend on experience and background, the strategic value brought to the company, the agreed level of involvement and ownership, the equity participation structure, and long-term commitment to the mission.We are looking for a partner who understands that a $4.2 billion market growing at 22.5% annually toward $32 billion by 2035 with regulatory mandates and ESG investment flows as its engine is not a trend. It is a structural shift. And we want someone who wants to own a piece of the infrastructure that powers it.What You Receive:Co-Founder Title and founding team recognition from day oneMeaningful Equity Ownership structured to reflect your contribution, investment, and long-term commitmentBoard-Level Strategic Influence over company direction, market expansion, and growth decisionsRevenue Participation directly tied to the business development outcomes you driveAccess to a 12-year Enterprise Relationship Network and a deeply respected regional delivery reputation across the GCC and South AsiaOwnership stake in a proprietary AI-powered platform ecosystem - ECOPSHUB®, AskDiana, IdeaForge™, CBAM, and GreenSource™ - with significant SaaS upside as platform revenue scalesLong-Term Wealth Creation through equity appreciation as Gazelles captures its share of a $32 billion marketThe opportunity to co-build one of the most strategically positioned enterprise transformation brands at the convergence of sustainability, AI, and operational excellence — in a market that regulation, capital, and corporate urgency are all demanding at onceApplication Process:To begin the conversation, interested candidates are invited to share the following:LinkedIn ProfileCurrent Role and BackgroundPrevious Startup, Business, or Leadership ExperienceAreas of Expertise and Industry NetworksInvestment Comfort RangeSpecific Reason for Interest in Gazelles and the ESG × AI × Operational Excellence spaceIf you are looking for a salary and a defined job description, this role is not the right fit. If you are looking for ownership, equity, and the opportunity to co-build a globally significant enterprise platform in the fastest-growing compliance-driven software market in the world — we would love to connect.🌿 The market is moving. The regulation is in place. The platform is built. Let's scale it — together.