Games Business Expert
&
c
nsultant -Entrepreneur
consultant
Entrepreneur
Over
Startup Funding Through Mentorship
Hey there! I’m Hirad—a games business expert with over a decade of experience turning big ideas into award-winning games. I help startups navigate early-stage development and secure their first investors.
I’ve led teams, launched products, and love combining creativity with strategy to build experiences people truly enjoy.
© 2025
- BLENDING CULTURE, BUSINESS & CREATIVITY
But it’s not just about business—I strive to bring an understanding of the culture and history of
the region into every project and celebrate it through the work I do. Whether it’s crafting a game
or building a business, I’m here to make something impactful that hopefully does some good
and makes money for all involved.
successful game published
Startup Consulting
Industry Speaker/Mentor
harandian
What I Do ?
Collaboration & Inquiries
Interested in working together? Reach out—I’d love to hear from you.
Featured Projects
Exploring Successful Collaborations and Impactful Creations
Here you can check out some of my best projects, where creative ideas and smart execution came together to produce exciting and unique results in the world of gaming and business.
8th Art Academy
Founded this platform to demystify gaming and interactive media, making the business and creative sides of gaming accessible and engaging for all. Host of ENKI podcast, bridging the gap between gamers, creators, and industry professionals.
Ellipsis Interactive
Led full-cycle game development, from concept to launch, driving strategic growth and delivering high-quality gaming experiences. Secured external partnerships and revenue-generating projects, including an $8,000 game design contract for a major IP.
8th Art Studio
Founded and scaled the studio by raising over $50,000 in pre-seed and Series A funding. Launched three successful games in the first year and created a national award-winning board game addressing COVID-19 challenges, blending innovation and social impact.
Consulting for Marsaaa
Partnered with Marsaaa, an Omani startup, to design their business model, MVP, and pitch deck, helping them achieve a 1 million Omani Riyal valuation. Developed branding and gamification strategies that elevated their market presence.
Nova Innovation Center
Designed the branding and curriculum for this accelerator, launching six startup accelerators in four months focused on e-commerce, AI, and healthcare. Mentored startups, contributing to successful funding rounds, including a $200,000 Series B investment.
Electronic Arts – FIFA Live Content Producer
Designed predictive pricing algorithms for FIFA Ultimate Team, reducing update times by 88%. Managed in-game events generating peak daily revenue of $20 million and coordinated logistics for online tournaments engaging over 10,000 participants.
Entrepreneur
Game Development & Publishing
2012 - present
Developer
Consulting & Mentorship
2017 - present
Consultant
8th Art Academy Podcast
2023 - present
Producer
FIFA Live Content Producer – Electronic Arts
2018 - 2020
Mentor
Mentor & Industry Speaker
2020 - PRESENT
My Experiences
Let's work together and create something amazing!
I'm always excited to collaborate on new projects — whether it's helping a startup grow, mentoring creative teams, or producing impactful games. Let’s turn ideas into something extraordinary!
Overview
The Enki podcast covers technology, the video game industry, and related topics, offering insights through expert interviews and engaging discussions.
Available on
Spotify, Castbox
Year
2024-2025
2021
SHARING INSIGHTS ON THE INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, AND BUSINESS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR.
- Tech Innovation
- Energy Solutions
- Sustainable Growth
- Business Transformation
2020
GAME DESIGN MENTORSHIP BY HIRAD HARANDIAN, HOSTED BY SHARIF ACCELERATOR AND NOVA INNOVATION CENTER.
- Creative Guidance
- Game Development
- Design Strategy
- Industry Expertise
Testimonials
True voices sharing real experiences of success, growth, and collaboration in the industry.
Latest News
CEO of Persis Play Game Development Studio
We had the pleasure to be mentored by Hirad in part of the development of Fatherhood Game (fatherhoodgame.com) who gave us helpful tips and feedback about it. He has very good knowledge of game design and production. I hope he succeeds wherever he is.
APM at Universal Metro, Inc.
Having worked closely with Hirad, I can say that he’s one of the most innovative, passionate, and knowledgeable managers that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. He has a long-term mindset for success and insists on opting for the highest standards. He truly works hard to ensure the solution for organization to details of a project provides best possible value and maintains a positive attitude as a leader.
JANUARY, 14 2022
Business Consultant & Strategy Expert
Hirad has constantly amazed me with his ability to devise creative solutions when we worked together. We have had vibrant discussions on topics ranging from video games to Nietzsche. What impresses me the most is Hirad’s ability to find an underlying commonality that connects such abstruse topics. He has a structured approach to creativity and a deep understanding of managing projects and teams effectively.
Co-Founder & Technical Director of Psychic Reality Studio
As a Producer, Hirad is extremely diligent when planning and organizing projects. At the same time, he ensures deliverables are met for each milestone. In the many years that I’ve known Hirad, he always has an open mind and a constant thirst for knowledge. It was a pleasure to work with Hirad and I look forward to watching his career grow.
JANUARY, 14 2022
Tech Founder & Product Lead
I often cite that 'There are friends that I’ve enjoyed working with, and then there are professionals that I’d work with again, any day.' Hirad easily falls into the latter. He offered tremendous help to my team as a producer, and I have yet to meet someone in a similar position that delivers at his capacity. His ability to influence teams in a positive manner while prioritizing and improving velocity spoiled my expectations of what a manager can deliver.
JANUARY, 14 2022
Software Developer
Not many of us have the opportunity to work with someone who has the leadership, guidance, and camaraderie as Hirad. He taught us a great deal of leadership, organization, and professionalism. He took control of some major issues with great judgment and a calm attitude. Hirad was an absolute pleasure to work with.
APRIL, 2 , 2025
Co-Founder at Rasm Team
Hirad Harandian has been an invaluable partner in our collaboration across various international projects, including Rasm Team. His keen analytical skills and deep industry experience have helped us refine workflows and structures. Beyond business consulting, his guidance in design projects has been instrumental in achieving our creative goals with clarity and precision.
