As he neared the end of his college education, Imran faced a tough decision: whether to grow his business or study to become an Optometrist at University. Unable to choose, he decided to do both.
imran's
PROJECTS
Hakim Group
He grew it from one store in Bolton to the UK and Ireland's fastest-growing group of independent opticians, expanding to the Channel Islands.
During COVID-19, he led the #StrongerTogether initiative, offering free webinars and resources to support independent practitioners globally—highlighting his commitment to collaboration and community-driven healthcare.
iTeddy
In February 2007, 29-year-old Bolton entrepreneur Imran Hakim succeeded in winning over the infamous Dragons of Dragons' Den to secure £140,000 of investment for an innovative new ‘edutainment’ toy.
Since then Imran went on to enjoy unprecedented interest and success with his invention that brought the traditional teddy bear into the 21st century with a detachable personal media player built-in, allowing kids to play their favourite cartoons, bedtime stories and much more.
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Successful companies across multiple industries
Throughout his career, Imran has also invested in several successful companies across multiple industries.
Most recently, he created a shared space for optical and audiology professionals to share their specialist expertise, adding Amplify Hearing to the Hakim Group portfolio. This allows for a more aligned approach to independent healthcare in local communities.
