Alumnus launches Estad mentorship app, wins Harvard start-up competition
HFC alumnus Ahmad Algaraawi (pronounced “Al-guh-row-EE”) won the People’s Choice Award at the Start-Up Competition during the Arab Conference at Harvard University in April for his project called Estad, a mentorship platform focused on bridging the gap between young professionals and experts at the top of their fields.
“Estad is derived from the Arabic language, meaning ‘teacher’ or ‘mentor.’ Growing up, I was fortunate to have access to mentors who shaped the course of my life, including here at HFC. My co-founders and I realized that this was something everyone should have access to,” explained Algaraawi, of Dearborn.
Connecting emerging talent with experienced professionals
Algaraawi conceived his idea with co-founder Ali Asfar. Joined by Ali Elghoul and Adam Elghoul, Estad officially launched in 2025. Algaraawi said a Harvard alumnus got wind of this project and believed it would make a great fit at the Harvard competition.
After competing against a number of respected start-ups, Algaraawi and his co-founders waited on the vote of the audience. A blend of Harvard alumni, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs selected Estad as the Start-Up Competition People’s Choice Award.
“As winners, we’ve gained access to leading entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, and mentors who have provided support and invaluable guidance. The most exciting part of this experience is the opportunity to keep improving, growing, and expanding beyond what we initially imagined,” explained Algaraawi. “We’ve also established our first institutional partnership with The Mainstay Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that brings together thousands of professionals, entrepreneurs, healthcare providers, policy experts, educators, and community leaders through purpose-driven professional networks. This partnership will focus on advancing those networks by connecting emerging talent with experienced professionals, fostering mentorship, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge and resources. Our hope is that Estad will serve as a bridge between the next generation of professionals and established industry leaders.”
HFC was the best place to begin his college career
Algaraawi is the eldest son, followed by three siblings. Born in Iraq, his family immigrated to the United States when he was a toddler. His brother, Header, is an alumnus of the Henry Ford Early College.
Algaraawi attended the Michael Berry Career Center and Edsel Ford High School. He earned his associate degree in business administration from HFC, graduating at the end of 2025. He was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
He transferred to the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he is studying economics and political science. He speaks fluent Arabic and Spanish and plans to attend law school.
“HFC was an important part of my journey. At HFC, you leave with an experience that not only provides you with a degree, but it also sets you up for success. HFC played a big role in preparing me for the real world, especially through the guidance of Professor Kyle Melton. Professor Melton highlighted the importance of thinking beyond yourself,” said Algaraawi.
As he works toward his bachelor's degree at UM-Dearborn, Algaraawi is still refining Estad.
“Being able to see professionals advance in their careers through Estad has been the most rewarding part,” he said. “When you aim to impact others in a positive way, seeing them succeed gives you a sense of gratification that you will not find anywhere else. That is the purpose driving Estad.”