Building World-Class Tech Talent in MENA
At Manara, we are dedicated to being the premier learning platform that empowers tech professionals and university students in computer science across MENA. Our goal is to equip tech teams and individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to perform at world-class level, making the region globally recognized for its high-quality tech talent, fueling innovation and economic growth.
Our Customers
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More Than a Platform – A Movement
We are not just another online learning platform—we are a movement dedicated to
accelerating the success of tech companies & talent in the Middle East & North Africa.
At Manara, you don’t just learn—you become part of something bigger:
a thriving, supportive community that continues to uplift each other long after your learning journey ends.
Our Founding Story
Manara was founded by two visionary women leaders committed to harnessing the transformative power of education and technology. Our CTO Laila Abudahi grew up in the Middle East and became a tech lead at Nvidia. Our CEO Iliana Montauk grew up near San Francisco and became passionate about the Middle East after living in the region and seeing how much it reminded her of Silicon Valley in its early days.
Their leadership bridges Silicon Valley’s innovative ecosystem with the thriving tech community in MENA.
The Team
Manara is proudly tech-first, led by a globally distributed team located in both Silicon Valley and the MENA region. Our leadership team has deep experience from industry leaders such as Nvidia, Google, Amazon, enabling us to deliver world-class education and talent.
Our Investors
Our Social Impact
Manara has a social impact commitment to Palestine and to women throughout MENA. We gladly partner with foundations and governments that want to accelerate education & career growth for these groups, while leveraging our dedication & years of experience in this area.
We are registered as a Public Benefit Corporation, which is a business with a social impact mission.
What It’s Like to Work at Manara
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Working at Manara is rewarding, challenging, and unique. Here’s what drives us every day:
Bias for Action
We prioritize progress over perfection. We make swift decisions to take us towards our goals
Experimentation
We embrace challenges, test new ideas, and iterate rapidly to find effective solutions.
Ownership
Each of us is responsible for driving our collective success, taking full accountability in our roles.
Communication
We foster a culture of clear & quick communication, especially essential in our remote-first work environment.
Continuous Feedback
We lift each other up through honest, constructive feedback, self-reflection and mentorship to ensure growth.
Building for Scale
We think big. We aim to change the future of the MENA region in a truly transformative way.
Join Us
Whether you're an aspiring tech professional looking to elevate your career or an organization looking to upskill their talents and level up their teams—Manara welcomes you.