Exclusive Interview with Mohammad Salim, Founder & Chairman of Trescon

In a candid conversation, we sat down with Mohammad Salim, a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary leader, to talk about his journey from humble beginnings to building one of the leading global business events and consulting firms — Trescon. From selling SIM cards door-to-door to hosting world-class tech summits, Salim shares insights into his entrepreneurial evolution, Trescon’s mission, and what the future holds for AI, innovation, and global impact.

Q: Tell us about yourself, your role, and the company you lead.

My name is Mohammad Salim, and I’m the Founder and Chairman of Trescon.

Q: Can you share your beginnings and how you started your entrepreneurial journey?

Absolutely. My journey began long before Trescon was founded. I started working when I was just 18, selling SIM cards door-to-door while still in college. That experience taught me the basics of sales and hustle — and, in a way, marked the true beginning of my entrepreneurial path.

In 2002, I took up a call center job as a sales representative. A few years later, I moved to Dubai in 2005 and started from scratch in the events industry. I worked hard, and within just 18 months, I was promoted from sales to managing global operations, leading a team of over 160 people. After spending over a decade in the industry, I felt it was time for a new challenge. That’s when I founded Trescon in 2016, along with a few of my former colleagues.

Our first event was the World Startup Expo — Asia’s largest startup gathering at the time — where we hosted over 8,000 attendees and 300+ exhibitors in our very first edition. It was a massive undertaking and a huge milestone for us.

Q: That’s impressive! How has Trescon evolved since then?

Since 2016, we’ve continued to grow and innovate. In 2017, we hosted our first World Blockchain Summit in Dubai, becoming one of the first to launch a blockchain-focused event in the region. That event evolved into a global brand, expanding to 18 countries within two years.

In 2018, we launched the World AI Show, which has now seen more than 45 editions across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Recently, we introduced DATE (Digital Acceleration & Transformation Expo), combining themes like AI, blockchain, IoT, fintech, cybersecurity, and the metaverse into one platform. We’ve also introduced CARE (Climate Action & Renewable Energy Expo) to focus on sustainability and ESG — a space we believe is crucial right now.

Q: What’s Trescon’s vision for the next 2–3 years?

Our goal is to become the global leader in hosting high-quality, curated business events that connect the right people. Unlike events that focus on scale, we prioritize value — bringing together investors, enterprises, government leaders, startups, and even academic institutions.

We want Trescon to be known not just for the number of events we host, but for the quality of connections we enable. For example, at the upcoming Dubai AI Festival, we’re including universities to showcase their AI innovations and connect them with industry leaders — creating real opportunities.

We’ve also established the Trescon Foundation, which focuses on giving back to society — primarily through education, healthcare, and community development initiatives.

Q: What are your thoughts on AI and its future?

AI, like any transformative technology, has two sides. It can be incredibly helpful but also potentially disruptive. That said, I see AI more as a tool for evolution than destruction.

Yes, some traditional jobs will be replaced, but AI will also create new opportunities. The key is adaptability. The future workforce needs to be ready with the right skills. Education systems are already changing to prepare students for AI-driven roles. So, I’m optimistic — as long as we stay ahead and keep learning, AI will enhance rather than threaten our way of life.

Q: What strategic steps are you taking to connect experts, clients, and industry leaders?

At Trescon, we do more than just organize events — we build ecosystems. While our core is still event management, we’ve diversified into areas like AI, ESG, fintech, and gaming through co-founded companies.

This way, we’re not just hosting conversations but helping provide real-world solutions. We bridge gaps by connecting startups with investors, enterprises with technology partners, and students with future employers — offering value at every level.

Q: If you had to describe Trescon with one slogan, what would it be?

Our slogan has always been: “Connecting Businesses with Opportunities.”

It perfectly captures what we do — we connect enterprises, investors, innovators, and institutions to create growth opportunities across sectors.

Q: And finally, what is your personal goal moving forward?

Personally, I want to build a holistic ecosystem that empowers people while also giving back to society. Through the Trescon Foundation, our mission is to support education, especially in underprivileged communities, like in my hometown Mangalore.

We fund scholarships, support hospitals, and work on infrastructure projects. The long-term vision is to make a meaningful impact, not just in business, but in lives.