# Imad Hammad

> Imad Hammad is the Dubai-based co-founder and CEO of CarSwitch, a used-car marketplace operating in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. A University of Toronto engineering graduate and former McKinsey associate partner, he co-founded the business with Ali Malik in 2016, combining vehicle inspections with assistance through the sale and ownership transfer.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO at CarSwitch Arabia
- **Organizations:** CarSwitch Arabia, McKinsey & Company, OSN
- **Education:** BASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, American University of Beirut
- **Known for:** Co-founded CarSwitch and launched its beta in 2016., Graduated from the University of Toronto with Dean’s List standing., Helped build a managed used-car marketplace operating across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

## Career timeline

- **2002-2006** — Studied electrical and computer engineering at the University of Toronto; graduated with Dean’s List standing.
- **Before 2016** — Spent more than eight years at McKinsey & Company, ultimately serving as an associate partner.
- **Before 2016** — Held a regional sales and pricing leadership role at OSN, covering more than eight markets.
- **2016** — Co-founded CarSwitch with Ali Malik; beta product was live by March.
- **2017** — CarSwitch announced $1.3 million in investment from Glowfish Capital.
- **2018** — CarSwitch raised a further $1 million led by Dubai Angel Investors, with Glowfish follow-on funding.
- **2019** — CarSwitch joined the first cohort of the MBRIF Innovation Accelerator.
- **2022** — By February, CarSwitch was publicly operating in Saudi Arabia as well as the UAE.
- **2025** — Presented CarSwitch’s AI work with Mohammad Ali Raahim at AutosBuzz in Berlin.

## Achievements

- Co-founded CarSwitch and launched its beta in 2016.
- Graduated from the University of Toronto with Dean’s List standing.
- Helped build a managed used-car marketplace operating across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- CarSwitch appeared at number 23 in Forbes Middle East’s 2020 list of the region’s 50 most-funded startups; the listing reported $12.3 million in company funding.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — CarSwitch’s October 7 Dammam market guide quoted Hammad on local differences in demand for Chinese car brands.
- **2026-08** — CarSwitch’s August 14 UAE hybrid-car guide quoted Hammad on the gap between hybrid searches and listed supply.
- **2025-05** — Public AutosBuzz posts show Hammad presenting CarSwitch’s AI initiatives with Head of Product Mohammad Ali Raahim in Berlin.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imadhammad/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/imad-hammad
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-19