knowledge economy through its two pillars: Technology Innovation Institute and ASPIRE. EDGE Group (2019 – Present) In November 2019, Al Bannai was appointed as CEO and Managing Director of EDGE Group, which specializes in defense, smart technology, and research and development [5][8]. The company comprises four clusters with over 25 entities. In this role, he is responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction and managing overall operations in cooperation with its board of directors. He is further tasked with leading, guiding, directing, and evaluating the work of other executive leaders in realizing the wider goals of the organisation. Most recently, Al Bannai expressed pride over the EDGE Group ranking 24th in Defense News’ Top 100 List of defense companies, the first Middle Eastern country to do so. In January 2022, Al Bannai was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDGE Group. DarkMatter (2014-2019) In 2014, Al Bannai founded DarkMatter, a cybersecurity service provider, where he assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer. He led the company’s long-term growth strategy while overseeing its day-to-day operations, including ground-breaking research and development initiatives. Under his leadership, DarkMatter expanded into a US$400 million business with over 650 employees and branches in three countries. In April 2018, Al Bannai became Founder & Managing Director of DarkMatter, but later announced in October 2019 that he would divest his entire stake in the company. Axiom Telecom (1997-2016) After finishing his education abroad, Al Bannai founded and established Axiom Telecom in 1997, which is known today as the Middle East's largest distributor of mobile devices. He served as the Managing Director at Axiom Telecom. The company currently employs a workforce of more than 2,500 professionals across the Gulf region and has an annual turnover of US $2.5 billion. After having served as its Chief Executive Officer for 19 years, Al Bannai stepped down to become Axiom Telecom’s Managing Director in 2016.13 He has been member of the board of Axiom Telecom since 2005. Board positions Since 2005, member of the board, Axiom Telecom. In April 2020, Al Bannai assumed the additional role as a member of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa University of Science and Technology. In May 2020, he was named Secretary General of Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), issued by Law No.14 for 2020 by UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan while retaining his various other positions and