The Most Visionary Business Leaders Revamping the Future

March | 2025 The Most Visionary Business Leaders Revamping the Future Sankalp Sharma, CEO & Co-founder Siddhant Sharma, COO & Co-founder Rayqube Future Tech Unlocking Poten?al Leadership Strategies for the Next Genera?on Sankalp and Siddhant Sharma for Future Growth Leadership in Crisis Turning Challenges into Opportuni?es Expanding Technological Capabilities

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The Visionary Leadership of Sankalp Sharma & Siddhant Sharma W elcome to The Middle East Leaders exclusive edition of The Most Visionary Business Leaders Revamping the Future, where we spotlight extraordinary individuals shaping the business world with innovation, resilience, and transformative leadership. This edition is dedicated to two such trailblazers—Sankalp Sharma and Siddhant Sharma—whose visionary approach is redefining industries and setting new standards for success. Sankalp and Siddhant Sharma are not just business leaders; they are architects of change, leveraging their expertise, creativity, and strategic foresight to drive progress in an ever- evolving landscape. Their journey exemplifies the power of innovation, perseverance, and bold decision-making, proving that true leadership is about more than just managing businesses—it’s about inspiring transformation and creating lasting impact. In this edition, we delve into their groundbreaking initiatives, leadership philosophies, and the challenges they’ve overcome to reach the pinnacle of their fields. Through insightful interviews and in-depth features, we explore how they are fostering innovation, driving sustainable growth, and influencing the future of business. Their stories serve as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and industry veterans alike, reminding us that visionary leadership is about staying ahead of the curve, embracing change, and fearlessly pursuing excellence. We are honored to bring you this special edition, celebrating the achievements of Sankalp Sharma and Siddhant Sharma. May their journeys inspire you to think big, innovate boldly, and lead with purpose. Preston B. Happy reading! Editor’s Editor’s Editor’s Desk Desk Desk

Cover story CONTENTS Sankalp and Siddhant Sharma Expanding Technological Capabilities for Future Growth Articles 14 Unlocking Potential Leadership Strategies for the Next Genera?on Leadership in Crisis Turning Challenges into Opportuni?es 24

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Sankalp and Siddhant Sharma Expanding Technological Capabilities for Future Growth Sankalp focuses on expanding into new regions and building collaborations with the right partners to ensure they consistently innovate and deliver bespoke technology solutions. Sankalp Sharma, CEO & Co-founder Siddhant Sharma, COO & Co-founder Rayqube Future Tech

The Most Visionary Business Leaders Revamping the Future growth and innovation, Siddhant’s expertise in operations and audience engagement creates a powerful synergy. Their combined leadership highlights creativity, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of market demands, positioning them to shape the future of immersive technology. Transforming Brand Experiences! T engagement continues to grow, the demand for more interactive, personalized experiences has led to a transformation in how businesses interact with consumers. Immersive technology, blending virtual and augmented realities, is no longer confined to niche applications. It is being used to create deeper connections and meaningful engagements. As the market expands, this sector is seeing the integration of creative solutions with advanced technologies, reshaping how brands communicate with their audience and how they deliver value. he technology sector is growing, with immersive solutions becoming central to industries ranging from entertainment to marketing. As digital While Sankalp focuses on strategic growth and innovation, Siddhant’s expertise in operations and audience engagement creates a powerful synergy. Rayqube Future Tech, founded by the Sharma brothers, has rapidly grown into a leader in immersive technology, specializing in creating extraordinary brand experiences. The company stands out for its personalized approach, ensuring that every client receives tailored solutions that enhance audience engagement. By conducting in-depth discovery sessions and focusing on delivering a return on experience, Rayqube has built a reputation for providing impactful, transformative technology solutions. Companies relentless focus on innovation, combined with strategic collaborations and expansion into new regions, continues to fuel Rayqube’s growth and success in the tech-driven business sector. At the core of this transformative movement is Sankalp Sharma, the CEO and Co-founder. With a background in mechanical engineering and digital marketing, his approach merges technical precision with innovative thinking. Together with his brother, Siddhant Sharma, who serves as COO and Co-founder, the duo brings a unique blend of skills to the table. While Sankalp focuses on strategic Let’s explore the Sharma brother’sjourney of tech innovation: Sankalp Sharma’s Future Tech Leadership From Engineering to Digital Marketing Sankalp’s journey began with a background in mechanical engineering, which laid the foundation for his curiosity in innovation and problem-solving. In 2014, he ventured into digital marketing, where he started to see the intersection of technology and consumer engagement. His defining moment came during a visit to Cityscape, where he was amazed by the technological advancements showcased. That experience sparked the idea of merging his creative mind and engineering expertise. With his background in mechatronics and his brother’s background in architecture, they combined their strengths and founded Rayqube Future Tech in 2016, focusing on delivering immersive technology solutions to create extraordinary brand experiences. Gaining Diverse Experience Across Markets His entrepreneurial sense began in college, where he founded an automobile club, sparking his passion for innovation and hands-on problem-solving. Over the years, he gained experience working with startups both in India and Dubai, which gave him exposure to different markets and challenges.

This diverse background, from robotics to automobile design to digital marketing, has given him a holistic approach to leadership. It allows him to fuse creativity with technical precision, ensuring that Rayqube Future Tech delivers cutting-edge, immersive experiences that resonate on both technological and human levels. Driving Strategic and Growth Aspects Sankalp’s primary role as CEO is to drive both the strategic and growth aspects of Rayqube Future Tech. This involves not only steering the company’s vision but also ensuring vertical and horizontal growth, which is embedded in its DNA. He focuses on expanding into new regions and building collaborations with the right partners to ensure they consistently innovate and deliver bespoke technology solutions. His responsibility also includes nurturing the team’s talent and ensuring that they maintain the highest standards in every project they undertake. Sustaining Profitability and Growth His leadership style has evolved through the challenges of entrepreneurship. In the beginning, it was exciting, but he soon realized that sustaining profitability and growth comes with its ups and downs. Strategic Growth and Collaboration There’s no single recipe or formula for success—it’s about hard work, persistence, and perseverance. Sankalp also believes in not being afraid to make mistakes if you make new mistakes and learn from them. It’s a journey of constant learning and improvement. Rayqube Future Tech’s success lies in a combination of understanding its client’s real needs and a relentless focus on personalization. Rayqube Future Tech does not just offer solutions; it conducts in-depth discovery sessions to help clients achieve Return on Experience (ROE), ensuring every interaction is impactful and meaningful. With a background in mechanical engineering and digital marketing, Sankalp’s approach merges technical precision with innovative thinking. Personalized Solutions for Client Needs What sets Rayqube Future Tech apart is that it does not just sell a solution; it truly understands its client’s needs. The company holds discovery sessions to dive deep into their goals and help them achieve Return on Experience (ROE), which focuses on maximizing the value and impact of every interaction a customer has with a brand. This consultative approach, combined with its expertise in immersive technology and commitment to innovation, allows Rayqube Future Tech to consistently deliver tailored, transformative experiences. Additionally, collaboration with the right partners and expanding into new regions is at the core of its DNA, helping Rayqube Future Tech grow both vertically and horizontally. It is about guiding them toward what they need rather than just delivering what they think they want based on trends or surface-level ideas. This personalized and consultative approach ensures that the solutions provided are both effective and transformative. Smart Time Management Strategies Sankalp believes maintaining a balance between his professional responsibilities and personal life is challenging, but he strives to align both by finding smart

Sankalp’s primary role as CEO is to drive both the strategic and growth aspects of Rayqube Future Tech.

Mentorship is key for Siddhant; by creating a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, he aims to inspire his team to push boundaries and explore new possibilities, ultimately driving innovation in their projects. Siddhant prioritizes open communication and transparency, which helps build trust and allows team members to feel comfortable sharing their insights.

ways to manage his time. He utilizes flexible working hours and identifies his most productive times of the day to ensure he can dedicate attention to both his work and personal commitments effectively. pitching them successfully to some of the world’s largest brands, as well as implementing digital activations and other cutting-edge immersive technologies. Supervising and Improving Daily Operations Adapting Offerings to Market Demands His main responsibility as Rayqube Future Tech’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) is to supervise and improve daily operations. He oversees the company’s financial performance, ensuring everything runs smoothly, and ensuring project completion. To align operations with the corporate strategy, he also interacts with and leads cross- functional teams. He stays updated with the latest trends and innovations by learning through shared experiences with regional and global partners. Rayqube Future Tech’s discovery sessions, coupled with collaborations with other companies, provide valuable insights that can be integrated into its business. This approach allows Rayqube Future Tech to remain at the forefront of immersive technology and continuously adapt its offerings to meet evolving market demands. Collaborative and Empowering Leadership Seizing the Ideal Moment for Tech Ventures Siddhant’s leadership style is collaborative and empowering. He encourages his team to share their ideas and take risks, as this is crucial in a fast-evolving industry like technology. According to Sankalp, now is an ideal time to penetrate this region with a technology-driven business. His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to fully immerse themselves in their venture, not just aim for a job alongside their business. One must face the reality of choosing one path because that’s when the challenges and intricacies involved will be truly understood. He highlights that achieving sustained profitability is not easy, but with dedication and focus, it is attainable. He prioritizes open communication and transparency, which helps build trust and allows team members to feel comfortable sharing their insights. He also focuses on setting clear goals and providing the necessary resources and support, ensuring that everyone is aligned with the company’s vision. Personalization in Future Offerings Mentorship is key for Siddhant; by creating a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, he aims to inspire his team to push boundaries and explore new possibilities, ultimately driving innovation in their projects. Sankalp’s future goals for Rayqube Future Tech involve scaling regionally to establish itself as a leader in the immersive technology space and providing innovative solutions on a global scale. The company is also keen on embracing the experience economy, where customer engagement and personalization will be at the forefront of its offerings. Supporting Continuous Learning To cultivate collaboration and creativity in a tech- and design-driven team, Siddhant focuses on: Siddhant Sharma’s Operational Leadership Excellence Driving Growth in Experiential Technology • Bringing together diverse skill sets cultivates innovative ideas. Encouraging transparent dialogue through regular check-ins and brainstorming sessions keeps everyone aligned. Adopting an agile approach allows for continuous feedback and refinement of ideas. Supporting ongoing learning keeps the team informed about emerging trends. Recognizing achievements builds morale while viewing failures as learning opportunities and promotes a positive culture. • Siddhant’s background in communication allowed him to understand audience engagement and storytelling, while his architectural design experience equipped him with spatial awareness and a keen eye for creating immersive environments. • • Embracing the art and science of audience engagement through technology, he knew immediately that the events and experiential tech industry was on the verge of huge growth. He started to explore potential interactive solutions, •

Integrating Experience and Event Tech clients. Sharing insights through publications, talks, and industry events positions it as a go-to resource for brands looking to innovate. • Always keep the end user in mind. Conduct user research and gather feedback. Understanding user needs will help you create more impactful and engaging experiences. Build relationships with professionals from diverse backgrounds—designers, developers, marketers, and business strategists. Collaboration nurtures innovation and can lead to exciting project opportunities. Be open to constructive criticism. Use it to refine your work and grow as a designer. Don’t be afraid to push boundaries and try new ideas. Innovation often comes from taking risks Rayqube Future Tech stands out in the immersive technology and event solutions market through its holistic approach. It integrates experience tech, event tech, and advanced technologies to create cohesive, engaging experiences. Personal Support and Grounding • Balancing his role as COO with the creative aspects of his design background is a challenge, but Siddhant has found ways to manage it effectively. Professionally, he focuses on delegating responsibilities, which allows him to oversee operations while staying connected to the creative side of Rayqube’s projects. Companies' diverse teams bring together expertise from technology, design, and creativity. It tailors’ solutions to meet clients’ specific goals, enhancing audience engagement and delivering measurable results. • • Investing in Talent and Thought Leadership On a personal level, his family provides great support, helping him stay grounded. He also finds time for activities like sketching, playing the drums, and keeping up with new architectural trends. These creative outlets, along with socializing with friends, help him recharge and bring fresh perspectives to both the operational and design aspects of his work. Developing Technological Capabilities Rayqube’s evolution from a small team to a leader in brand activations and immersive tech is a fascinating journey. From the start, Rayqube has embraced cutting-edge technology, continuously adapting to emerging trends in the experience space. This willingness to innovate has allowed it to stay ahead of competitors and meet the evolving needs of brands. In the coming years, Siddhant’s primary goals for Rayqube revolve around three key areas: expanding its technological capabilities, deepening its client partnerships, and enhancing the customer experience. Investing in Research and Development Rayqube aims to invest heavily in research and development to explore emerging technologies. By integrating these technologies into its offerings, it can create even more engaging and personalized experiences for audiences. Rayqube has focused on building strong relationships with brands, agencies, and technology providers. These partnerships have facilitated collaborative projects that enhanced its portfolio. Siddhant prioritizes ongoing education by attending industry conferences, webinars, and workshops. This helps him stay informed about the best practices in immersive experiences. He keeps up with industry publications, podcasts, and online forums. This helps him discover a wide range of perspectives and identify trends that may influence Rayqube’s work. Building stronger, collaborative relationships with its clients will be crucial. Rayqube plans to work closely with them to understand their evolving needs and challenges, allowing it to tailor its solutions more effectively. Rayqube’s commitment to creating memorable and engaging experiences has set it apart. It is understood that brand activations are about more than just technology; they focus on storytelling and connections, which resonate deeply with audiences. He also values networking and building relationships within the industry, as it allows him to exchange insights and provides early access to new trends and innovations. Its focus will remain on delivering memorable experiences that resonate with audiences. Rayqube will continue to refine its storytelling techniques and interactive elements to create deeper emotional connections. As Rayqube has grown, it has developed scalable solutions that can be tailored for different clients and contexts. This flexibility allowed it to serve a wide range of industries and expand its area of expertise. Rayqube Future Tech invests in R&D to explore and experiment with new technologies. Rayqube also sees potential for expansion into new industries and geographical markets. By diversifying its portfolio, it can tap into different customer segments and enhance its growth. Mastering Design and Technology Integration Rayqube has focused on investing in talent; attracting and retaining top talent in creative and technical roles has been essential. A diverse and skilled team brings a variety of perspectives and expertise. For aspiring designers entering tech-driven fields, Siddhant Sharma recommends the following: • Understand both design principles and the technology behind the solutions you create. Familiarize yourself with tools and platforms relevant to your field. This will help you communicate effectively with developers and other team members. The tech sector is constantly growing. Attend workshops, take online courses, and follow industry leaders to stay updated on trends. By actively seeking feedback from clients and audiences, Rayqube has been able to refine its offerings and improve the overall quality of its activations, ensuring they remain relevant and impactful. • Finally, establishing itself as a thought leader in its fields has helped Rayqube build credibility and attract new

Unlocking Potential Leadership Strategies for the Next Generation L the leaders have to strategize not only to unleash the optimum potential of their teams but to meet the special needs and challenges of modern workplaces. Consequently, this report investigates strategies that would make it easier for leaders to develop talents, build trust, and create long- term impact. eadership today is more than just authority or expertise. It means an ability to connect, inspire, and guide teams to shared success. And with each new generation coming into a new leadership role, Emotional Intelligence The new cornerstone of good leadership has emerged in the form of understanding and managing feelings about oneself and others. EI enables leaders to communicate empathically and resolve conflicts, therefore making the environment positive toward desirable behaviour. For nascent leaders, active listening, self-awareness, and showing concern for the welfare of team members is extremely important in developing EI. This approach, through the development of emotional intelligence, equips leaders to create stronger relationships where their workers are valued and understood. That is sure to translate into more engagement, better performance, and a more resilient workplace culture. Ownership and Accountability The next-generation leader should make their teams feel they are being owned and that they are the one to whom the job has been delegated. Self- accountability by employees enhances their confidence and helps them in solving problems more efficiently. Clearly, leaders can define the expectations, establish tools and support of the team, so that they take responsibility to get the results. Good constant feedbacks are very vital in the course. Discussion of progress made in terms of areas requiring amelioration and what had been achieved is useful towards achieving proper alignment with set objectives and proud to be associated. 22 23 The Middle East Leaders | March 2025 | The Middle East Leaders | March 2025|

together.s A Growth-orientated Mindset being of the mind as well as the body shall be at the heart of everything. Work-life balance has to begin with the next generation of leaders. There should be flexibility wherever feasible. Burnout needs to be proactively eliminated. Inspirational leaders believe that challenges are a chance for growth and, therefore, challenge the teams to do the same. When the mind of the leader is focused on learning, it inspires the team to be innovative, learn new skills, and be inquisitive about tasks. Such a working environment increases the morale and productivity of the employees since they are encouraged to manage their health and their duties. The willingness of a leader to invest in the well-being of his or her team shows people commitment that drives organizational success. A learning environment requires intentional effort. The type of learning described here is available to leaders as something that can be made available by way of training programs, mentorship, or workshops. Such a culture encourages rewarding and recognizing the people who have the willingness to learn and make improvements. When development in the workplace is encouraged, employees are less likely to disengage and lose their enthusiasm for work. Developing Future Leaders True leaders do not command followers, but they grow future leaders. Emerging leaders should also practice mentorship and coaching with the team members to unlock their strengths and prepare them for potential roles in leadership. Lead by Example The best leaders are the role models in behaviours they expect to see inside teams. Integrity, transparency, and being consistent in decisions that create trust with their people sets standards for conduct about others in the team. Commitment to deadlines, respecting people, or being receptive to feedback will earn a person respect in how a person teaches them to do so. The talent pipeline will be built and thus ensure long-term success of the organizations through identification of individual strengths and providing specific development opportunities. Empowering others to lead creates a culture of shared responsibility and continuous growth. Conclusion However, at times it humanizes vulnerability especially if there’s a need. There can be mistakes accepted with its learning journey in it which shows growth. It will be people-centered leadership for the next generation-in listening, supporting, and inspiring them to be at their best. It may mean developing emotional intelligence, embracing diversity, leading from example, and balancing between well-being and productivity that makes it easy for individuals and organizations to grow Building Teamwork Over Competition Teamwork is the ultimate success activator in performance- based organizations. Team members can learn from each other as they work through cross-functional projects started by a leader. Group reward and recognition of efforts put in to make results can shift the focus of personal success to a combined victory as a group. It also strengthens your relationship with colleagues, not to mention more innovative solutions from teams by playing towards the strength of a group. Maintaining the balance of wellness and productivity Only a healthy and motivated workforce will ensure long- term success. No longer optional, but a necessity, well- Subscribe to The Middle East Leaders Your Gateway to a world of Knowledge and Creativity! 24 The Middle East Leaders | March 2025 |

Leadership in Crisis TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES L the seeds of opportunity. By shifting perspectives and adopting actionable strategies, individuals and organizations can transform adversity into a catalyst for growth, innovation, and success. ife and business are rife with challenges, ranging from personal setbacks to professional hurdles. While these obstacles can initially appear daunting, they often hold The Power of Perspective The first step in turning challenges into opportunities is shifting your mindset. Challenges are often perceived as roadblocks that hinder progress; however, by reframing them as stepping stones, you unlock their potential for growth. Many successful individuals have demonstrated that persistence and the ability to learn from setbacks can lead to groundbreaking achievements. For instance, after losing her job due to economic downturns, one individual initially felt defeated. However, she chose to see her unemployment not as a failure but as an opportunity to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. This perspective shift allowed her to dedicate herself fully to her business idea, ultimately leading to the successful launch of her marketing agency. Practical Strategies for Transformation Turning challenges into opportunities requires actionable strategies that guide individuals and teams through adversity. Here are some proven methods: 1. Reflect and Recall Reflecting on past experiences can offer valuable insights into overcoming present challenges. Recall instances where you or your team successfully navigated obstacles. Identify what worked well and apply those lessons to current situations. 26 27 The Middle East Leaders | March 2025 | The Middle East Leaders | March 2025|

2. Shrink Challenges into Manageable Goals • One restaurant implemented a no-tipping policy that ultimately enhanced customer experience and employee satisfaction. Businesses have creatively repurposed surplus inventory into partnership solutions, turning potential losses into collaborative gains. An individual leveraged her unemployment as a chance to build her dream business, proving that setbacks can become springboards for success. Large challenges can feel overwhelming. Breaking them down into smaller, near-term goals makes them more manageable. Focus on immediate actions rather than long- term outcomes, as action alleviates anxiety while inaction amplifies it. • • 3. Embrace Change Building Resilience Change is inevitable during challenging times. Instead of resisting it, embrace change as an opportunity to innovate and improve processes. Organizations that adapt creatively to external pressures often find new avenues for growth. Resilience is the cornerstone of transforming adversity into opportunity. It involves maintaining a positive outlook while adapting flexibly to changing circumstances. Teams facing slipping timelines or low morale often benefit from introducing a culture of continuous learning through coaching and consulting. This approach fosters innovation and strengthens team dynamics. 4. Foster Collaboration Collaboration is key when navigating difficulties. Strengthen relationships within teams and seek external support from mentors or industry experts who can offer fresh perspectives and solutions. Conclusion 5. Learn from Failure Challenges are inevitable in life and business, but they need not be insurmountable barriers. By shifting perspectives, embracing change, fostering collaboration, learning from failure, and building resilience, individuals and organizations can transform obstacles into opportunities for growth. Failure is not the end—it is often a stepping stone to success. Analyze mistakes objectively, extract valuable lessons, and apply them to future endeavors. This approach builds resilience and adaptability. 6. Reassign Roles As illustrated by various stories of personal triumphs, setbacks are not roadblocks—they are invitations to reinvent oneself and pursue new possibilities with determination. Whether you’re an entrepreneur navigating uncertain markets or a team leader facing internal hurdles, the choice lies in how you respond to adversity. Challenges often require teams to adapt their roles temporarily or permanently. This flexibility can stabilize operations during crises and lead to greater fulfillment for team members in new positions. Real-Life Examples Real-world examples further demonstrate the transformative power of turning challenges into opportunities: 28 The Middle East Leaders | March 2025 |

The Most Visionary Business Leaders Revamping the Future

The Most Visionary Business Leaders Revamping the Future

Presentation Transcript

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