National Elite Foundation Honoree
Selected elite in the 13th official evaluation cycle of the National Elite Foundation.
I am Mahdi Jafari, an entrepreneur, executive director, and developer of industrial businesses. With a background in petroleum engineering from Sharif University of Technology and management studies at the University of Tehran, I have built and scaled businesses in municipal service and firefighting machinery, rescue equipment, spare parts, renewable energy, and urban transport modernization. My primary focus is market development, creating innovative ventures, and leading value-generating enterprises.
About Mahdi Jafari
I am Mahdi Jafari, CEO of Bahar Afaq Shahr. I began my career with petroleum engineering at Sharif University of Technology and later earned an MBA and PhD in management, focusing on leading and developing industrial businesses.
My work sits at the intersection of engineering, strategy, and entrepreneurship — spanning municipal and firefighting machinery, rescue equipment, automotive spare parts, renewable energy, and urban transport development. I believe management is the art of building systems that create lasting value through human capital and innovation, independent of any one person.
A look at my most significant academic, managerial, and entrepreneurial achievements in building and scaling industrial businesses.
Selected elite in the 13th official evaluation cycle of the National Elite Foundation.
First place in the inaugural National Petroleum Engineering Olympiad.
Top rankings in national astronomy, literature, mathematics, and computer olympiads (2013–2014).
Creating more than 100 direct and indirect jobs in industry.
Each stage of my career has added new experience in engineering, entrepreneurship, management, and business development — experience I apply today in leading organizations and industrial projects.
CEO
Bahar Afaq Shahr manufactures municipal service and firefighting machinery. As CEO, I lead strategic direction, market development, organizational design, supply chain management, new product development, production capacity expansion, and major project oversight.
My management focus is on developing competitive products, improving build quality, continuously optimizing production processes, and expanding domestic and international markets.
Company focus areas:
Chairman of the Board
Bahar Afaq Iman Tajhiz, operating under the Safira brand, imports, supplies, and distributes specialized rescue and firefighting equipment. My management focus here is on international partnerships, technology transfer, selecting reputable global brands, and elevating safety standards.
By delivering specialized solutions to rescue and firefighting organizations, this company plays a vital role in improving safety and emergency readiness.
Company focus areas:
Vice Chairman of the Board
This company develops clean energy solutions and engineering services in renewable energy. My focus includes business development, participation in macro-level policy, market expansion, and building strategic partnerships.
The company's work supports sustainable energy infrastructure and reduced dependence on fossil fuels, playing an important role in the country's energy transition.
Focus areas:
Board Member
This company operates in the automotive sector, providing fleet modernization solutions for public transport. I contribute to development strategy, investment negotiations, business model design, and institutional partnerships.
Key activities include designing vehicle supply models for taxi fleet modernization, partnering with public institutions, and creating financial solutions to replace aging vehicles.
Company focus areas:
Founder & Board Member
This company was established to build a professional network in the supply and distribution of passenger vehicle spare parts. My focus has been on sales network development, supplier relationships, supply chain optimization, commercial negotiations, and market expansion.
By connecting manufacturers, importers, and distribution networks, the company has become an active player in the country's wholesale spare parts market.
Company focus areas:
Founder
I founded Yadak Pro to digitally transform the automotive spare parts market and connect suppliers, sellers, and consumers. The focus was on digitizing sales, expanding the supply network, standardizing parts data, and improving the customer buying experience.
Launching Yadak Pro shaped my system-driven, data-oriented approach to business development and paved the way for larger commercial and industrial projects.
Startup focus areas:
Founder & CEO
My entrepreneurial journey began with founding Negareh 3D Engineering Services, specializing in engineering design, industrial 3D printing, reverse engineering, custom industrial parts, 3D-printed sculptures, and prototype development.
Leading this company gave me valuable experience in technical project management, product development, advanced manufacturing technologies, industry relations, and building specialized teams.
Company focus areas:
Entrepreneurship has never been limited to a single industry for me. Each venture has been an opportunity to understand a new market, solve a different problem, and build a value-creating system — from industrial manufacturing and supply chains to clean energy and public transport modernization.
Manufacturing municipal service and firefighting machinery
Specialized rescue, emergency, and firefighting equipment
Automotive parts supply chain and distribution
Renewable energy and solar power plants
Urban transport fleet modernization solutions
Digital automotive spare parts marketplace
Education
During my undergraduate studies, I focused on engineering analysis, modeling, and developing a systems mindset for industrial problem-solving. My thesis on producing laboratory reservoir rock samples using biotechnologies, supervised by Dr. Mohammad Bazargan, was completed with highest honors.
My MBA focus was on strategic management, organizational development, business model design, managerial decision-making, market development, and leading growing organizations. This program laid the foundation for my leadership of industrial businesses.
My doctoral research focused on management, organizational leadership, business development, and management policy. Combining engineering knowledge from Sharif University with advanced business education at the University of Tehran has given me an interdisciplinary approach that merges engineering analysis with managerial decision-making, market development, and organizational leadership.
Alongside formal education, my career has been supported by continuous learning in engineering, management, business development, and organizational growth.
A blend of engineering knowledge, management experience, and hands-on work in developing industrial businesses — from strategy and market development to product, operations, and organizational building.
Translating organizational goals into executable paths
Building new pathways for organizational growth
Turning market needs into actionable solutions
Building capable, accountable teams
Building organizations that grow independently of individuals
Increasing productivity and execution quality
Management Philosophy
An organization can grow sustainably when capable people have opportunities to learn, take responsibility, and advance. Developing human capital and succession pathways is essential to building a lasting organization.
A manager on whom every decision depends has not built a scalable organization. Transparent processes, delegation, and management systems must enable the organization to grow independently.
Successful products begin with understanding a real need. Innovation is not merely building something different — it is finding a better way to solve the customer's problem and create lasting competitive advantage.
Relationships with customers and partners should extend beyond short-term transactions. Trust, service quality, and commitment form the foundation of long-term mutual value.
Throughout my career, my primary focus has been creating and developing businesses that deliver economic value while expanding the country's industrial, technological, and employment capacity.
Founding and growing diverse enterprises in industrial manufacturing, commerce, energy, and transport.
Leading organizations with over 100 direct employees and hundreds of indirect jobs.
Turning market needs into competitive products and increasing market share in specialized industries.
Designing management structures and processes to increase productivity and scalability.
Building domestic and international commercial partnerships with a regional market presence.
Participation in national projects in municipal machinery, firefighting, energy, and transport modernization.
Vision & Future
My professional path is not limited to growing one company or increasing production capacity. My goal is to build and develop an ecosystem of industrial, commercial, and technology businesses with a strong, sustainable presence in domestic and international markets.
Product development, deep market understanding, innovation, and sustainable competitive advantage are central to this path. Organizations that want to thrive in tomorrow's competitive markets must learn faster, decide smarter, and lead change rather than react to it.
Alongside business development, human capital holds a special place for me. Building young, capable, responsible teams with room to learn and grow is part of the future I envision for my businesses.
Ultimately, my vision is to build companies that grow on systems, innovation, and human capital — independent of any individual — creating economic value, more opportunities for people, and a meaningful contribution to national industry and economy.
"I hope one day to employ thousands of people and serve as a means through which God provides for many of His servants."
The Human Side
Life is not limited to meetings, factories, and management decisions. Experiences outside work — reading, meeting diverse people, and exploring new perspectives — shape how I see life and work. Traveling across Iran, hiking in nature, reading books and articles, watching films and series, art and music, and spending time with friends and family give me space to step away and return with a fresh mind. I believe we gain broader perspective when we do not confine our experiences to the workplace and keep learning, discovering, and living.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about education, management experience, businesses, expertise, and professional activities.
