From Egypt to Saskatoon: The inspiring journey of Futurpreneur Mahoud Gaber in transforming textile waste into style

At the cutting edge of circular fashion, MAG Clothing Inc. is a Canadian brand turning textile waste into wearable innovation. Founded in Saskatoon by newcomer entrepreneur Mahmoud Gaber, MAG combines AI-powered design with pre-consumer fabric recycling to produce sustainable, on-demand clothing. With roots in Egypt’s textile industry and support from Futurpreneur, Mahmoud is building a fashion tech company that’s redefining production norms, one zero-waste garment at a time. We spoke with him about the inspiration, challenges and impact behind MAG’s mission to make fashion smarter, cleaner and more circular. 

1. Please tell us about yourself and your experience as a newcomer entrepreneur in Canada. 

My name is Mahmoud Gaber, originally from Egypt and now based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where I founded MAG Clothing Inc.—a Canadian fashion tech company focused on sustainability. Before arriving in Canada, I discovered Futurpreneur through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s pre-arrival services. Futurpreneur’s mission to support young entrepreneurs, including newcomers like me, instantly resonated. 

From day one, I committed to building MAG. Thanks to pre-arrival guidance and local settlement support, I quickly learned how to navigate Canada’s financial system, taxes, and startup process, which gave me the confidence to move forward. 

2. Please tell us about your business, its origin story, your mission and vision. 

MAG is a Canadian eco-fashion tech company tackling one of the industry’s biggest issues: textile waste and overproduction. We use AI to design based on real customer preferences, producing only what’s in demand and minimizing excess inventory. What sets us apart is our use of pre-consumer textile waste to create high-quality, affordable clothing, which turns leftovers into style. 

Our mission is to make fashion smarter, cleaner and more circular, with a long-term goal of zero textile waste. Like many newcomers, accessing financing was a major hurdle, especially without credit history in Canadian. Futurpreneur believed in me when others didn’t. 

Today, we’re focused on growing our customer base, building trust and preparing to launch our first concept store in Saskatoon. 

3. What inspired you to start your own business in Canada? 

Back in Egypt, I had hands-on experience in the textile industry, and I always dreamed of creating a fashion brand that puts sustainability and customer needs first. 

When I arrived in Canada, I immediately noticed a strong market opportunity. I started doing pop-up events and engaging directly with customers. Through surveys and one-on-one conversations, I found there was a real interest in our fabrics, our prices, and most importantly the idea behind MAG. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and that gave me the validation to keep going. 

Long-term, I believe MAG has the potential to help create the first yarn made in Canada from local textile waste, which would be a game-changer for the circular fashion economy here. 

4. What are some of your biggest wins since launching your business? 

There have been a few exciting milestones I’m really proud of: 

• We were accepted by North Forge / ElevateIP to start the process of registering the intellectual property for our recycled fabric. 

• I was shortlisted for a one-on-one meeting with Walmart at the Walmart Growth Summit, where we’re exploring the opportunity to become a supplier. 

These milestones remind me that we’re on the right track and that our vision resonates with both consumers and industry leaders. 

5. How did Futurpreneur support your entrepreneurial journey? 

Futurpreneur has played a foundational role in my entrepreneurial journey. As a newcomer with no Canadian credit history, Futurpreneur believed in me when others didn’t. They connected me with a dedicated mentor, Sandy Sager from Premier Suits, whose support and expertise have been invaluable. I also benefited from mental health and work-life balance support through sessions with inkblot, by way of Futurpreneur’s collaboration with BDC, something I hadn’t expected but deeply appreciated. 

The Futurpreneur Marketplace gave us a platform to showcase our products, and Fturepreneur’s workshops covered essential topics like taxes, government procurement, and business planning — all critical tools for building a sustainable business in Canada. 

6. What advice would you offer to newcomer entrepreneurs starting their businesses in Canada? 

My biggest piece of advice: start small. If you can, begin your business as a side hustle while you get settled. It is challenging but it gives you the time to learn, test and adapt. Also, be flexible. Be open to feedback, stay humble, and always keep learning. Understanding the Canadian market, investor expectations, and customer behaviour takes time, but once you get there, the results are deeply rewarding. And don’t forget, there’s a strong ecosystem of support out there. You don’t have to do this alone. 

7. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about yourself as an entrepreneur? 

I’ve learned that I’m persistent, consistent, and a self-learner. When I started MAG, I had to teach myself almost everything about Shopify, SEO, Google Ads, and social media marketing, just to get the store off the ground. Thanks to the Digital Marketing Skills Canada (DMSC) Fund and a growth marketing program with Growclass, funded by the Upskill Canada grant under the Government of Canada, I was able to sharpen those skills. That helped me not only build the brand but also connect with more customers online and a supportive community. Being an entrepreneur forces you to wear many hats, but it also shows you what you’re truly capable of when you believe in what you’re building. 

If you are a newcomer entrepreneur like Mahmoud, click here to learn more about Futurpreneur’s My Canadian Startup program presented by TD Bank and make sure to check out our upcoming workshops. And if you are looking for financing with mentorship to start or buy a business in Canada, click here to learn more.