Victor AbouRahal has spent over two decades leading companies, managing digital transformations, and spearheading innovation across the Middle East and Gulf regions. With a rich background in digital transformation, business strategy, artificial intelligence, customer experience, project management, and quality assurance, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role as CEO of Nerovate. His journey in the world of business began in 2000 when he founded his first startup. Over the years, he has founded and consulted for multiple startups, culminating in a successful exit in 2022 for one of those startups. This entrepreneurial experience, combined with his deep expertise in digital innovation, paved the way for him to join Nerovate, a company dedicated to digital water solutions based in Saudi Arabia. We at CIO Global, are proud to introduce Victor AbouRahal as one of the Promising CEOs to Watch, 2024.
Before joining Nerovate, Victor served as Vice President of Digital Business at ADNOC Distribution in UAE, where he led innovative projects that modernized the company’s digital landscape and customer experience. Victor holds a Global Executive MBA from INSEAD and is certified in PMP, Six Sigma, and ITIL to name few, all of which have equipped him to tackle the unique challenges of the water sector. His passion for creating impactful solutions has driven his leadership journey, making him a pioneer in merging technology with essential water management services. Victor’s drive to lead Nerovate came from his recognition of the urgent need for efficient, sustainable water solutions in the region. Nerovate was founded to address water management challenges through technology, and Victor was recruited by the company’s shareholders to help establish and lead it as CEO. The goal of Nerovate, as Victor explains, is to leverage advanced technology to enhance the water sector performance. This approach aims to revolutionize how water is managed, and sustained—a mission that resonates deeply with Victor’s personal and professional values.
“Failure is part of the journey to success. It’s about falling fast, standing up, and moving forward without blame — turning setbacks into valuable lessons.”
As Victor looks to the future, he has ambitious goals for Nerovate. One primary objective is to expand the company’s footprint beyond Saudi Arabia into GCC and European markets by 2025. This strategic growth will be driven by Nerovate’s flagship O3 Water Solutions, a Lean Management SaaS platform which addresses various water management needs through advanced technology. Nerovate also plans to enhance the O3 platform by adding new AI-driven features and developing specialized modules for different sectors within the water industry. These efforts are all part of Nerovate’s mission to offer sustainable, data-driven water solutions that are adaptable across regions and industries. For Victor, success at Nerovate is defined by the real-world impact of its solutions. Whether it’s improving operational efficiency, providing real-time data insights, or reducing costs for water utilities, Nerovate’s goal is to create tangible results that make a difference. Expanding into new markets and achieving profitability are also key metrics of success, but at the heart of it, Victor believes that Nerovate’s value lies in its ability to help clients solve complex water management challenges effectively and sustainably.
Being the CEO of a Water-Tech company in a traditionally conservative industry like water management has come with its share of challenges. One of the biggest obstacles Victor has encountered is the resistance to digital transformation in the water sector. To overcome this, Nerovate focuses on demonstrating measurable results and offering flexible, low-risk solutions to clients. Beyond industry-specific challenges, Victor also faces the daily demands of managing all aspects of the business, from sales and marketing to product development and human resources. This requires him to continuously switch between different roles and responsibilities, a balancing act that he sees as essential for any CEO in a startup environment. Victor emphasizes the importance of a client-centric approach at Nerovate, which helps keep both his team and their clients’ teams motivated. By focusing on cultural alignment and localized support, Nerovate ensures that clients receive tailored solutions that address their specific needs. Internally, Victor fosters a collaborative environment where everyone works as a single unit, celebrating achievements together and staying focused on delivering value. This shared vision creates a positive atmosphere that encourages each team member to contribute to the company’s success.
Nerovate differentiates itself, from other solution providers, by being a Water-Tech company, that is combining specialized water sector knowledge with advanced technology, such as AI, IoT, and machine learning. Their flagship product, O3 Water Solutions, is a lean management platform specifically designed for water management. The platform’s flexibility, ease of implementation, scalability, local support, and ability to identify hidden operational costs give Nerovate a unique edge. This blend of technological expertise and industry insight allows Nerovate to deliver solutions that are not only innovative but also highly practical and effective for clients.
“We’re constantly enhancing our O3 platform with the latest in AI and IoT, staying close to our clients’ needs and the evolving technology landscape to lead digital transformation in water management.”
Nerovate has recently celebrated significant milestones with its O3 Water Solutions platform. The platform has been implemented on several major projects, including two plants in France and two stations in Riyadh, where it has demonstrated impressive results. By optimizing pump scheduling and lean operation management, these implementations have led to up to a 25% increase in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), a 30% reduction in breakdowns, and a 10% improvement in conversion costs. These achievements are a testament to the transformative potential of Nerovate’s solutions and the company’s commitment to innovation in the water sector. When it comes to hiring, Victor values attitude above all else. He believes that skills can be taught, but a positive, resilient attitude is essential for success in a dynamic, fast-paced environment like Nerovate. This mindset has consistently enabled Victor to build high-performing teams dedicated to driving innovation while fostering a positive and collaborative culture.
Innovation at Nerovate is an ongoing process, supported by continuous updates to the O3 Water Solutions platform. By incorporating client feedback, monitoring industry trends, and staying on top of the latest technological developments, Nerovate ensures its platform remains at the forefront of the water industry. Modular options and user-friendly design make it simpler for utilities to adopt digital solutions incrementally, enabling the company to remain agile and responsive to clients’ evolving needs. As a Water-Tech company, technology is at the heart of Nerovate’s business strategy. The O3 platform leverages IoT, AI, and machine learning to provide comprehensive water management solutions, positioning Nerovate as a leader in the sector. For Victor, this tech-driven approach is essential not only for staying competitive but also for meeting the growing demand for sustainable water solutions.
Victor believes that balancing short-term needs with long-term objectives is crucial for sustained growth. Nerovate’s approach allows clients to adopt solutions over time, minimizing upfront costs through phased implementation options and SaaS pricing models. This flexibility enables the company to pursue its ambitious expansion plans while meeting the immediate needs of its clients. Victor’s advice for aspiring CEOs is to embrace challenges and create solutions that focus on customer needs. He encourages leaders to maintain a sustainable approach that also considers employees, clients, and shareholders. Balancing these priorities, along with a commitment to work-life balance, is essential to avoid burnout.
For Victor, failure is a stepping stone to success. He believes in resilience and learning from setbacks, emphasizing the importance of “falling fast, getting back up, and persevering.” Instead of assigning blame, Victor promotes a culture of celebrating failure, learning from it, and striving to avoid similar mistakes in the future. This positive approach to handling challenges helps foster a growth mindset within the company. Outside of work, Victor stays balanced through a variety of hobbies. He enjoys going to the gym, swimming, and spending quality time with his wife and children. Reading and staying updated on the latest digital trends are also interests that help him relax and stay connected to the fast-evolving tech landscape.
Victor AbouRahal’s journey as CEO of Nerovate is a story of dedication, resilience, and forward-thinking. His leadership is fuelled by a commitment to delivering sustainable, impactful solutions to the water sector, leveraging technology, industry expertise, and strong, collaborative partnerships. Under his guidance, Nerovate is poised for growth and success, expanding its reach while continuing to innovate for a better future in water management. Victor’s approach exemplifies the qualities of a modern leader, combining business acumen with a deep commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
“Success for Nerovate means driving real, measurable change — from improved efficiency to cost savings — while expanding our impact across new regions.”
