
CEO & Co-founder, TalentAdore
- Known each other since
- 2019
- How we know each other
- Working together at TalentAdore
I’ve worked alongside Saku as an adviser and consulting CTO, helping him and his team grow their development team, navigate a leadership transition, and build their AI capabilities. We continue to work together today. TalentAdore is also a client of Optimyse, where developers employed by us work remotely as part of TalentAdore’s team.
“Owais doesn’t leave people in trouble. When something gets difficult, he stays with you and keeps looking for a way forward. He doesn’t complain or give up. He wants to understand the problem and find a solution.
He’s also deeply curious about technology and people. He’s always learning, sharing what he discovers, and helping the people around him grow. That’s what I value most about working with him: he cares about problems and equally the people facing them.”

People & Culture Lead, Light of Sakina
- Known each other since
- 2015
- How we know each other
- Working together at Optimyse, and friendship
Rabiya started her career with me at Aplós Innovations in 2015. She later became my first hire at Optimyse, where she went on to become Chief People & Culture Officer. Along the way, we became close friends.
“As a leader, he taught me something I carry into my own work today: you don’t have to control people to help them grow. Sometimes you just have to trust them enough to let them find their own way.
But as a friend, he gave me something I value even more. A relationship that has never asked me to explain, defend, impress, or perform. Just to show up as I am.
And in a world where so many relationships come with conditions, expectations, and an exhausting amount of maintenance, that kind of peace is rare.”
Read her full reflection on our 11 years ↗

Co-founder, Mindshifters
- Known each other since
- 2020
- How we know each other
- Working together at Optimyse
Jaanika was Marketing Manager in our Estonian office at Optimyse from August to December 2020, reporting directly to me. Our friendship and relationship as colleagues have continued ever since.
“Owais is a CEO who embodies the mission of his company - to bring more human to tech, support the growth of his people and make honest and authentic communication a priority. Always.
His tech background has given him the ability to understand both the development-service-specific details and processes while seeing the big picture and business needs from the CEO perspective.
It was great to work in his team.”

Makeup artist & educator, Shafaq’s Makeup Studio
- Known each other since
- 2021
- How we know each other
- Friendship, personal and professional guidance
Shafaq and I met through a mutual connection in 2021. Our conversations have ranged from life and relationships to her work as an artist and the possibilities she wanted to pursue. Over time, we became good friends.
“Owais is the guy you call when something has gone wrong…or right.
Wrong, because he’ll help you get out of the mess by pointing out things you probably don’t want to hear in the middle of a crisis, but absolutely need to.
Right, because he’ll celebrate your wins with you, after reminding you of all those reality checks he gave you along the way.
For me, he’s been a sounding board, a reality check, and a genuinely good friend. If you’re looking for someone who will challenge you, call you out, and help you see things differently, he’s your person.”

Senior Solutions Architect, Menta
- Known each other since
- March 2025
- How we know each other
- Personal and professional guidance
Adeel reached out to me in March 2025. Our conversations have been about finding a way forward, both personally and professionally.
“Owais guided me at a time when I needed it most. I was going through a difficult period, struggling with psychosis and depression while also trying to find my way professionally.
What Owais gave me wasn’t a job or a direct solution. He listened without judgment and helped me think differently and more openly. He encouraged me not to limit myself to advertised vacancies, but to think about the value I could bring to companies. That shift in perspective helped me see possibilities I had overlooked, explore different paths, and eventually find several opportunities, including a contract role.
Months later, when a friend was going through a difficult situation, I encouraged him to speak with someone neutral, someone who could simply listen without judgment or expectations. That reminded me of what Owais had done for me.
He listened selflessly, helped me see things differently, and gave me the space to find my own way forward. The fact that I could later pass that lesson on to someone else made me realize how meaningful his support had been.”
Different relationships. Different perspectives. More to come.