Reza Ghiabi is an opportunity maker.

Born and based in Tehran, Ghiabi is the founder and Director of the Oppmakr Institute —a think and action tank to enable growth opportunities via digital transformation. The institute began in 2005 as a consulting and implementation firm, where business wisdom and practical ways to get the job done converged. Today, the institute provides insight, funds, and social network for its members where they need it, from Iran to Syria and Switzerland.

Described as "a passionate entrepreneur with strategic intellect" by Al Jazeera, and "a pillar of the startup community in Iran," by Tehran Times, Ghiabi founded Ghasedak Ventures —a hedge fund affiliated with the Oppmakr Institute in 2016. Before that, In 2013, he became the Chairman of the Vira Institute that later merged with the IdeaRun in 2019, making Ghiabi a board member at the startup studio.

Together these organizations have invested millions of dollars in nearly 180 projects and 17 countries, including Formaloo, Herocket, and Eventbox. Ghiabi also has been a digital transformation project lead or advisory board member in UNDP, Barkat Ventures, SWPars, Asna Studio, Pardis Tech Park, Iran-France, and Iran-Netherlands Friendship Associations, Iran Center for eCommerce Development. Through this professional network, Ghiabi had the opportunity to work with over 65 organizations, including UNRIC, SABB, RSP Group, Qatar Airways, Knauf, IrToya, Franchise Middle East, Samsung, Iran's Science & Technology Vice-Presidency and Careem.

Ghiabi is active in the non-profit world. Since 2014, he may be best known for organizing TEDxTehran, a local, independently organized event licensed by TED, that brings hundreds of thought leaders, innovators, and doers from across different disciplines, to embrace "Ideas Worth Spreading" in the heart of Tehran. He is also a member of the HUS Institute —the Liechtenstein based think tank to explore the transformation of the old economy into the Digital Modern era. Ghiabi also serves as an Editorial Board member at the Idea Designers magazine, working as a few print media for the elite of Iran.

He earned a Bachelor's degree (BA) in Industrial Engineering from Azad University while he was self-studying Cultural Anthropology. He also holds an MBA in Information Technology from Industrial Management Institute. Later he attended the IAE Lyon School of Management intending to study Doctorate of Business Administration but left university to focus on his work.

Ghiabi shares his views with all who listen. He regularly writes articles for Idea Designers magazine and contributes to innovation-related podcasts, events, and large conventions where he comments about how collectively we can make opportunities. He also speaks at the OppmakrHeroes event series organized by a community of like-minded igniters in Tehran. He has spoken at the [email protected], TEDxCannes, Tehran CreativeMornings, and mentioned by the local and international press, including Entrepreneur, TEDBlog, Al Jazeera, AFP, Tehran Times, Financial Tribune, TechRasa, Tejarat-e Farda, Tadbir Magazine and Iran's national TV. Ghiabi can be found as "oppmakr" on social media. His blog and more information about him are available on ghiabi.com.