khaled abbas, pine and co, the nomad box, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr, business, entrepreneurs, industry magazine

Khaled Abbas: Redefining Modern Living Through Pine & Co.’s Nomad Box Innovation

Khaled Abbas is no stranger to building systems, solving problems, and designing tools that make life more seamless. With a career rooted in software development, he has worked with startups, medium-sized enterprises, and even unicorns, helping them shape everything from prototypes to optimized large-scale systems. His expertise spans coding, architecture design, engineering processes, and product roadmaps, but at the heart of it all is a drive to create solutions that simplify, scale, and endure. This same philosophy—merging vision with functionality—has now taken Khaled down an entirely new path with the creation of Pine & Co. and its flagship innovation: The Nomad Box.

khaled abbas, pine and co, the nomad box, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr, business, entrepreneurs, industry magazine

The Nomad Box was not conceived in a boardroom or born out of market research alone. Its origins go back to Khaled’s childhood, growing up with his grandparents. He recalls olive-picking season, when family would gather for lunch and tea breaks on blankets under the sun. These simple yet profound moments of connection became part of his DNA. At the same time, the other side of his family designed and imported clothing, running small fashion boutiques for both men and women.

Khaled would often help out during summer holidays, learning the rhythms of retail and design. He was also inspired by family and friends in his circle who ran restaurants, construction companies, carpentry workshops, and even escape rooms, an environment that fueled his appreciation for creativity, entrepreneurship, and hands-on craftsmanship.

khaled abbas, pine and co, the nomad box, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr, business, entrepreneurs, industry magazine

Khaled developed a taste and passion or great design, something he carried into his education, career, and personal life. Years later, after living in bustling cities around the globe, Khaled settled into the natural splendour of British Columbia and California. It was here that he decided to channel his technical ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit into something that would inspire others to pause, gather, and reconnect outdoors.

“Over the past two years, I’ve been working on something truly unique with a small group of talented people: Zoe, Raya, Adam, along with amazing external supporters like Evan, Eric, Jay, Alejandra, and Oliver,” Khaled says. “I wanted to create something that brings people closer to nature and to each other. That’s how the Nomad Box by Pine & Co. was born, an outdoor product designed to make gatherings effortless and beautiful. A product that blends style, versatility, and sustainability.”

khaled abbas, pine and co, the nomad box, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr, business, entrepreneurs, industry magazine

Unlike traditional coolers or picnic baskets, this 5-in-1 creation that functions as a basket, cooler, backpack, cutting board, and table. Its lid doubles as a cutting surface and even unfolds into a second table, making it as versatile as it is stylish. Built to withstand sun, water, and sand, it is crafted from premium sustainable materials like bamboo, pine, cork, and plant-based leather. It can carry tall water bottles, wine, champagne, cans, an insulated pouch, and six FoldiBoxes to fit a full spread of food. Its magnetic closure system keeps everything secure, while its sleek aesthetic ensures outings feel stylish and effortless. Every detail is designed for durability, beauty, and a lighter environmental footprint.

What sets The Nomad Box apart is its capacity to carry everything needed for a gathering in one compact, thoughtfully organized system. It can hold tall water bottles, wine, champagne, cans, an insulated pouch, and six FoldiBoxes to fit everything from sushi and salads to pastries and fruit. Its magnetic closure system keeps items secure, while its minimalist aesthetic ensures that users feel stylish as well as prepared. Whether heading to a park in Vancouver, a beach in California, or the mountains of Europe, the box makes outdoor dining as elevated as it is effortless.

khaled abbas, pine and co, the nomad box, helen siwak, portfolioyvr, vancouver, bc, yvr, business, entrepreneurs, industry magazine

The Kickstarter campaign that launched The Nomad Box last week was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. “We were funded in 21 minutes and have been just named one of Kickstarter’s ‘Projects We Love,’” Khaled shares. “We’re now close to $100,000 CAD in funding with over 260 backers from across the globe including Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia, Denmark, Singapore, France, Portugal, Italy, Finland, New Zealand, Mexico, Guatemala, Malaysia, Bermuda, Belgium, Austria, Hong Kong, Norway, Sweden, India, Japan, Kuwait, and Hungary.”

This global embrace highlights the universal appeal of Pine & Co.’s mission: crafting moments, connecting lives. More than a product, The Nomad Box is an invitation to rediscover the joy of slowing down, eating together, and appreciating the natural world.

For Khaled, it also demonstrates the power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. A career in software might have promised stability, but this leap into lifestyle innovation reflects his belief that the most meaningful ideas come from lived experience and authentic passion.

Readers who are inspired by Khaled’s journey and the vision behind Pine & Co. can support in several meaningful ways. The most direct is to join the growing community of backers by pre-ordering The Nomad Box through Kickstarter, ensuring they are among the first to experience this innovative product while helping bring it to a wider audience.

Sharing the campaign link with friends, family, and social networks amplifies its reach and spreads the message of sustainable outdoor living. Beyond Kickstarter, following Pine & Co. on social platforms, engaging with updates, and becoming part of the conversation helps build the global community that Khaled envisions—one where people connect with nature, create cherished memories, and inspire others to step outside their comfort zones in pursuit of meaningful innovation.

Photography by Lex and Josh Media.

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Collaborator: This story is created in collaboration between Helen Siwak and the featured subject. As the founder and publisher of Portfolio.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, Helen works closely with entrepreneurs to share their paths of innovation, resilience, and growth. Each story in this series is co-developed through interviews and first-person insights, blending authentic voices with Helen’s editorial expertise to highlight the remarkable individuals shaping British Columbia’s business landscape.