The story.
In focus.

Salim Gheewalla is the founder and CEO of utilITise, a technologist, marketer and community builder based in Houston. His work spans self-healing IT, brand strategy and entrepreneurship. He is president of OPEN Houston and writes about technology, business and the relationships that make brands matter.

Salim Gheewalla works at the intersection of technology, brand, community and ideas. He is the founder and CEO of utilITise, where he is building toward the Self-Healing Era of IT. Before founding the company, he spent more than a decade in IT and cybersecurity, leading marketing and alliances through growth, acquisitions and a public-market journey. His brand and go-to-market perspective spans the companies he has worked with throughout his career. Salim is president of OPEN Houston, a Forbes Councils contributor and a guest lecturer at the University of Houston. His nonprofit leadership spans Ismaili sports, arts, communications and civic service. His recurring philosophy: “Know me. Like me. Trust me. Pay me.”

Salim Gheewalla is a Houston-based founder, technologist, marketer and community builder. As founder and CEO of utilITise, he is working toward a future in which IT systems can detect, diagnose, execute and verify with less day-to-day human intervention. His focus is on making complex technology useful, understandable and trustworthy.

His founder journey builds on more than a decade in IT and cybersecurity, including marketing and alliances leadership at Computex Technology Solutions and Calian IT & Cyber Solutions. That experience spans partnerships, acquisitions, brand integration and a public-market journey. His broader operating perspective includes restaurants, retail and consulting. He has helped shape brands across technology, retail and professional services.

Salim serves as president of OPEN Houston and contributes to teaching and academic advisory work at the University of Houston. He is a member and author with Forbes Technology Council and Forbes Communications Council, and a contributor to the Senior Executive AI Think Tank. His speaking includes Adweek × SXSW at ADWEEK House Austin, and he was recognized as a CRN Next-Gen Solution Provider Leader in 2023. His Ismaili nonprofit service includes leading two AKYSB US national sports tournaments and the North American National Sports Tournament as National Project Manager; US communications for the first Golden Jubilee Games in Kenya; digital media for the Golden Jubilee Games in Dubai; artist experience as Deputy Director at the Ismaili Arts Festival in Lisbon; and global marketing and communications for Ismaili CIVIC. He holds an Executive MBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a B.S. in Supply Chain & Logistics Management from the University of Houston.

Across his work, a consistent philosophy connects brand and business: “Know me. Like me. Trust me. Pay me.”