Entrepreneur’s experience put to good use

Entrepreneur Tareq Hadhad’s energy, creativity and social commitment have not gone unnoticed. The Invest Nova Scotia economic development fund has named Hadhad to its board of directors.

“Tareq will make an excellent addition to the Invest Nova Scotia board,” said Business Minister Geoff MacLellan in a statement. “Tareq’s enterpreneurial journey and experience building the Peace by Chocolate brand will be invaluable as Invest Nova Scotia continues to fund projects that build a stronger economy and create more jobs for young Nova Scotians.”

Hadhad’s first meeting as a board member of Invest Nova Scotia, which is currently in talks to bring in yet another board member and has an additional vacancy on the board beyond that one, will be Sept. 15.

“It is an honour for me to get this appointment,” said Hadhad. “It shows the people of this province really care about newcomers.”

Invest Nova Scotia, whose mission is to fund innovative ideas that can boost the economy, has an annual budget of $5 million. So far, three projects have been approved: the Propel ICT business accelerator; the Navigate Startup House incubator, and the Social Enterprise Network of Nova Scotia.

“The one that excites me, and it’s very much outside the box, is the Social Enterprise Network,” said Invest Nova Scotia chairman Kenneth Deveau. “They generate revenue to reinvest in other projects and make a greater impact on society … They are developing an entrepreneurial spirit.”

It was Hadhad’s combination of education, experience living and working in other countries, his entrepreneurial flair and commitment to social causes that endeared him to Invest Nova Scotia.

“Tareq really brings something unique, an original perspective,” said Deveau. “We don’t want a bunch of people around the table with the same outlook on life. “He’s a person with tremendous energy ... an amazing networker and asks questions no one else would think to ask.”