Ahmed Dawood was born in Bantva, a renowned place in the state of Kathiawar, India.
Ahmed Dawood went to his grandfather, Abdul Ghani Haji Noor Mohammad in a small town Terichura in the state of Maysore to learn under his guidance. He worked in his Grandfathers shop of cotton yarn and various utilities for about two years, where he was introduced to the business basics.
Owing to the keen interest of Ahmed Dawood in business, his Grandfather sent him to Shimoga, Maysore, to his business partner Hashim Haji Ghani. There he worked very hard in a large cereals store for two years. His responsibilities included business dealings, accounting, interacting with labour, ensuring deliveries and payment etc. He also started travelling in near by towns for business.
After the death of his father, Ahmed Dawood decided to run his own business. With his little savings, at the age of 15, migrated to Bombay. Under the supervision of his Grandfather he established his own shop in Hanuman Building, Tambakatha. Ahmed Dawood started his own shop and named it M/s Salman Ahmed after his younger brother and himself.
Ahmed Dawood migrated back to his homeland Bantva.
 
Mr Ahmed Dawood migrated to Pakistan. Understanding the need for industrial development as the only means for the prosperity of this newly born state, he initiated a number of industrial projects in East and West Pakistan.
 
Lawrencepur woollen & Textile Mills was founded, and acquired its name after the Military Commander of the area before Independence, Sir John Lawrence.
 
Pakistan's industrial sector was lacking in textile processing units due to the non-availability of quality yarn. Realising this need, Dawood Cotton Mills Limited was set up in Karachi, which commenced production in January 1952.
 
Burewala Textile Mills Limited was established at Burewala, District Vehari, Punjab. It was one of the largest spinning and weaving mills of Pakistan at that time producing 100% cotton yarn and Grey Fabrics.
 
Lawrencepur Woollen & Textile Mills became operational and produced yarn for hand knotted carpets, blanket for Armed Forces, tweed and worsted fabrics.
Central Insurance Company was established. The company operated in all major cities of Pakistan and transacted all conventional forms of insurance covers successfully.
Lawrencepur Woollen & Textile Mills, saw a revolutionary change as Dawood Group took over the mills. The new management took radical steps to expand and modernize the production facilities.
 
Dawood Foundation, a public charity trust, was founded.
 
Dilon Limited, Pakistan’s first Nylon Yarn Producer, was established in Karachi.
 
Dawood Hercules Chemicals Limited was established as a joint venture between the Dawood Group of Industries and Hercules Chemicals Inc. of the USA. It was the first private sector venture in Pakistan to receive a loan by the World Bank.
 
In East Pakistan, Mr Ahmed Dawood established Karnaphuli Paper Mills. He also founded, Karnaphuli Rayon & Chemicals Limited, Dawood Jute Mills and Dawood Shipping Company. All his investment in East Pakistan were lost with the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.The East Pakistan industrial undertakings constituted almost 60% of the Groups activities.
Mr Ahmed Dawood's business enterprise suffered further setbacks as the Government of Pakistan nationalised a number of large Pakistani industrial undertakings and the Group lost its flagship company, Dawood Petroleum Limited.
Keeping in view the industrial development of the country, a new polyester plant was installed at Dilon unit with the daily capacity 4.5 ton of flat and textured filament yarn.

Burewala Textile Mills became Pakistan’s first spinning and weaving mill to receive prestigious ISO 9001 certification.

In April 1998, Lawrencepur Woollen & Textile Mills obtained ISO 9001 certification.
Amalgamation of all textile companies of the Dawood group into a single entity named Dawood Lawrencepur Limited.
 
 
Dawood group acquired a majority stake in Inbox Business Technologies Pvt Ltd - Pakistan's leading computer brand.