Amr El-Shimi

FROM AIRPLANES TO ALGORITHMS. Amr El-Shimi’s journey to co-founding Pontigo is a testament to his lifelong passion for travel and his drive to channel his expertise into meaningful ventures. Pontigo, where he serves as CTO, helps e-commerce brands efficiently manage their inventory and shipping. By connecting brands to a global network of fulfillment centers and using advanced AI tools, Pontigo ensures products are stored closer to customers, making deliveries faster and cheaper.

“My earliest memories have always been on an airplane, traveling,” Amr recalls. This nomadic childhood laid the foundation for his global perspective and deep appreciation for different cultures.

After completing his studies in electrical engineering at Santa Clara University and earning a master’s degree from Stanford, Amr worked in hardware design and eventually pivoted into product management, working with some of the most iconic brands in the world, including Bloomingdale’s in New York. His next move took him to Berlin, where he joined Zalando, Europe’s largest online fashion retailer. This role allowed him to immerse himself in the world of fashion e-commerce and hone his skills in product management and international logistics.

REDEFINING E-COMMERCE WITH INNOVATION. The idea for Pontigo was born out of Amr’s desire to solve a real pain point in the e-commerce industry. Initially, he and his co-founders launched Dropshop, a platform focused on the quick delivery of fashion items. Quickly realizing that this service was more of a luxury than a necessity—“We had a vitamin, not a painkiller,” Amr explains—they pivoted to Pontigo’s current model, focusing on optimizing global fulfillment strategies for e-commerce brands.

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Amr has navigated his professional journey with resilience and determination. Growing up in a conservative household, he only came out at 25 years old after moving to Belgium for work. This move not only allowed him to explore his identity but also to thrive in a more accepting environment. “I knew I was gay, but it was also an opportunity for me to explore that without the confines of living at home.” Today, Amr calls New York home, where he lives with his husband.

Rather than his identity being a hindrance in his founder journey, Amr praises the help he’s received from a robust network of mentors and support systems. One pivotal figure in his life was his manager at Homestead (a startup acquired by Intuit), who was also gay and in a long-term relationship. “It was the first time I ever had a gay manager,” Amr recalls. “He was so out and open, and it gave me confidence. Seeing him succeed made me realize that moving up the ladder is achievable.”

CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY. Amr adds that organizations like Gaingels, StartOut, and Out in Tech have also played a crucial role in his journey. These communities have provided him with networking opportunities and mentorship, helping him navigate the challenges of being a minority founder. “The support systems I found were amazing. They widened my network and provided invaluable guidance,” he says.

Amr is excited about the impact he can have on the e-commerce industry. “I’m most excited about growing something meaningful and seeing the fruits of our hard labor,” he shares. With Pontigo, Amr aims to create a more efficient and cost-effective solution for international e-commerce fulfillment, ultimately helping brands expand their global reach. And beyond business success, Amr is committed to building a company that embodies inclusivity and support for diverse communities. “I believe in the power of networking and giving back,” he says. “If we don’t do it, who will?”