VC React Podcast

VC React Podcast:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. ---Hosts: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://archives.fwdstart.me/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Available on:Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VCReactPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-react-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Ivo Detelinov, General Partner @ Salica Oryx Fund- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivodetelinov/- VC Firm Website: https://salicainvestments.com/2. Basem Abu Dagga, Co-Founder @ The Learning Curve Holdings- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basem-abu-dagga-pevc/- VC Firm Website: https://www.reimagined.cc/3. Salem Washeely, Partner @ Sadu Capital- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salem-w-40276554/- VC Firm Website: https://www.sadu.vc/---#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatetech #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle. Visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.weareocta.com/fwdstart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to get your first 6 months free.---News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.In Today's Episode:- Valu begins trading on EGX with Amazon as investorSummary: Valu made its market debut on Monday, becoming the first consumer finance company to list on the Egyptian Exchange. Shares trading under the ticker VALU.CA surged 852% on day one. In parallel, Amazon converted a long-standing option into a 3.95% direct stake, acquiring shares at EGP 6.041 per share, giving the $2 trillion firm a rare, strategic entry point into MENA fintech.- Careem announces end of ride-hailing service in Pakistan from next monthSummary: Careem will suspend its ride-hailing service operations in Pakistan from July after nearly a decade in the industry, its CEO announced on Wednesday, adding that its journey in the country would continue “in a different role”. Mudassir Sheikha, Careem’s CEO and co-founder, shared a post on LinkedIn announcing “a new chapter” for the company. - AppliedAI closes oversubscribed $55M Series A with backing from MEVP, G42, Bessemer, and e&Summary: AppliedAI has closed a $55 million oversubscribed Series A round with participation from Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), G42, Bessemer Venture Partners, and strategic partner e&. Its enterprise-grade platform, Opus, is powered by a Large Work Model (LWM) and a proprietary Work Knowledge Graph (WKG), designed to handle complex workflows with precision and scale. - OpenAI designs rival to Office and Workspace, The Information reportsSummary: OpenAI is developing productivity features for ChatGPT that would position the company as a competitor to Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, according to a report from The Information. ---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. ---Hosts: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://archives.fwdstart.me/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Available on:Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VCReactPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-react-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Ally Salama, An angel investor with Qora71- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysalama/ - VC Firm Website: https://www.superordinary.co/ 2. Hadi Halabi, CEO @ Stryde- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadihalabi/ - VC Firm Website: https://gostryde.com/ 3. Youssef Salem, Founder @ Qora71- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youssefsamysalem/ - VC Firm Website: https://www.qora71.com/ ---#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatetech #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle. Visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.weareocta.com/fwdstart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to get your first 6 months free.---News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.In Today's Episode:- Exclusive: Stryde Acquires Qora71Summary: As part of the deal, Qora71 will be rebranded as Stryde71 and serve as Stryde’s new venture investment arm. Qora71 was launched five months ago through Hub71 in Abu Dhabi. In that time, it built a network of more than 100 angel investors, participated in over 50 startup investments, and deployed more than $2 million into startups across various sectors. As part of the acquisition, Youssef Salem, who led Qora71, will join Stryde as a Partner. - Abu Dhabi-based eVoost AI has raised seed funding from Qora71 to scale its AI-native real estate sales platform globally.Summary: Founded in 2024 by Cristian G. Pastrana, eVoost replaces the traditional real estate sales funnel with AI-powered virtual agents that personalise buyer journeys through emotional profiling. - Collectibles investing: Human-sized Labubu doll sells for more than $150,000 Summary: A human-sized Labubu doll was sold this week for a record 1.08m yuan ($150,324; £110,465), according to a Chinese auction house. Labubu dolls are quirky monster characters created a decade ago by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, which have increased in popularity in recent years after a number of celebrity endorsements. - Content investing: Creator North is making its official debut at Cannes Lions International Festival of CreativitySummary: Creator North is making its official debut at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and it's coming in loud. With Waleed Laham bringing the Arab creator powerhouse to the global stage with: Ahmed Elghandour (Da7ee7), Haifa Beseisso (Fly with Haifa), Ahmed Albasheer (Lagash), and many more. ---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

Karima El Hakim, an expert in Egypt's startup ecosystem, discusses the complexities of recent IPOs and the challenges facing fintech firms in the region. Mo Salah highlights emerging investment trends in Saudi Arabia, shedding light on financing strategies that can help overcome cash flow obstacles for startups. Waleed Al Ballaa delves into the evolving landscape of private equity in tech, emphasizing innovative financing solutions that can empower local ventures. Together, they explore the potential of AI-driven startups and celebrate Arab entrepreneurial success.

VC React Podcast:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. ---Hosts: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://archives.fwdstart.me/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The newly published "MENA VC Playbook": https://archives.fwdstart.me/p/how-to-build-a-strong-dealflow-pipeline ---Available on:Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VCReactPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-react-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Brant Meyer, Partner @ Trac.vc | xFBI Analyst- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brant-meyer-27846221b/- VC Firm Website: http://www.trac.vc/2. Elliott Denham, Head of Programs @ Oraseya Capital- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-denham/- VC Firm Website: https://www.oraseyacapital.com/---#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatetech #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle. Visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.weareocta.com/fwdstart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to get your first 6 months free.---News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.In Today's Episode:- Expensya founders return with Thunder Code, raise $9M to automate software testing with AISummary: Paris- and Tunis-based Thunder Code has raised $9 million in Seed funding to rethink how software is tested, using AI agents instead of humans. Founded by Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani, the team behind Expensya, Thunder Code is their follow-up to one of Africa’s biggest tech exits. Thunder Code replaces that process with autonomous AI agents that test like real users: flagging UI bugs, reviewing specs, simulating flows, and offering product feedback. The product shipped six weeks in, and the company already has customers and pilots live in the U.S., France, Tunisia, and Canada. The $9 million seed round includes Silicon Badia, Janngo Capital, Titan Seed Fund, and angels like Roxanne Varza (Station F) and Karim Beguir (InstaDeep). - Qanooni raises $2M to accelerate legal AI expansion across the UAE and UKSummary: Qanooni, a UAE-based legal tech startup, has raised $2 million in a pre-seed round, backed by Village Global, Oryx Fund, TA Ventures, and a group of angel investors. Founded in 2024 by Anuscha Iqbal, Ziyaad Ahmed, and Karim Shiyab, Qanooni is focused on using AI to enhance how lawyers work. The platform simplifies drafting and reviewing legal documents by integrating directly into tools like Outlook and Word. - Tunisia's Kumulus Water closes $3.5 million seed roundSummary: Kumulus Water, a startup launched in 2021 between France and Tunisia, has raised $3.5 million in a seed round to scale its off-grid water production technology. The round was backed by Bpifrance (via France 2030 SGPI and the Île-de-France Region), regional VCs like PlusVC, Khalys Venture, Flat6Labs, and Spadel, alongside several family offices and startup founders from Europe and North Africa. Founded by Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid, Kumulus designs atmospheric water generators that extract drinking water from air humidity without the need for infrastructure—ideal for underserved areas.---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. ---Hosts: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://archives.fwdstart.me/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Available on:Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VCReactPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-react-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Hasan Haider, Founder and Managing Partner at +VC- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasanhaider/- VC Firm Website: http://www.plus.vc/2. Laith Kassis, The OG of the startup ecosystem in Palestine- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laithkassis/3. Romain Assunção, Managing Partner @ Antler- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romainassuncao/- VC Firm Website: http://www.antler.co/ ---#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatetech #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle. Visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.weareocta.com/fwdstart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to get your first 6 months free.---News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.In Today's Episode:- G42 partners with OpenAI, Nvidia & Cisco to launch Stargate UAE, a 1GW AI megaproject- QIA-backed unicorn Builder.ai files for insolvency despite $450M in funding- EQIQ doubles fund to $30 million to accelerate Iraq’s digital economySummary: Abu Dhabi-based EQIQ, a venture capital fund and venture builder focused on Iraq, is doubling its fund size from $15 million to $30 million to deepen its investments in Iraq’s digital economy. - Toolmart secures seed funding to accelerate expansion plansSummary: Iraq-based B2B e-commerce startup Toolmart has secured a seed funding round for an unknown amount, led by Plus VC and Oasis500, with participation from other regional angel investors. Founded in 2022 by Shawkat Shegem, Ahmed Al Hinti, and Nadeem Al Salem, Toolmart offers a tech-enabled, inventory-light procurement platform that helps large enterprises cut sourcing time, reduce costs, and improve procurement efficiency.- Prypco launches UAE’s first DLD-approved real estate tokenisation pilotSummary: Prypco, a Dubai-based proptech platform founded by Amira Sajwani, has launched its first-ever pilot enabling UAE residents to invest in tokenised real estate — marking a major milestone in the city’s push to lead in real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation. The pilot, approved by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), allows Emirate ID holders to co-invest in fractional property ownership via blockchain. - Egyptian founder Ozzie Osman’s Monarch raises $75M Series B to become the new leader in personal financeSummary: Monarch, a San Francisco-based personal finance platform co-founded by Egypt-born entrepreneur Ozzie Osman, has raised $75 million in a Series B round led by Forerunner Ventures and FPV Ventures — bringing its valuation to $850 million. Founded in 2018 by Osman, Val Agostino (formerly of Mint), and Jon Sutherland, Monarch was designed from day one as a subscription-based alternative to ad-supported personal finance tools. ---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. ---Hosts: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://archives.fwdstart.me/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Available on:Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VCReactPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-react-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Ali AlMajthoob, Managing Director @ Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alialmajthoob/- VC Firm Website: http://www.mevp.com/2. Issa Aghabi, Founder & Managing Director @ Access Bridge Ventures - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iaghabi/- Website: http://access-bridge.com/---#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatetech #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle. Visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.weareocta.com/fwdstart ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to get your first 6 months free.---News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.In Today's Episode:- Egyptian Startup Funding Surges 406% YoY in May, Hits $124M Mid-MonthSummary: May 2024: Egyptian startups raised approximately $24.5 million across four deals, with One Order's $16 million Series A being the largest.- Nawy. Egypt-based proptech Nawy has raised $52 million in a Series A equity round led by Partech, with participation from e& Capital, March Capital, VKAV, DPI via Nclude, VentureSouq, Shorooq, and others. An additional $23 million in debt was secured from major Egyptian banks to support its growing mortgage offering, Nawy Now. - Thndr, the Cairo-based investment platform, announced a $15.7 million funding round led by Prosus, with support from Y Combinator, BECO Capital, Endeavor Catalyst, JIMCO, Raba, and Onsi Sawiris, bringing total capital raised to $37.76 million.- Sylndr. Cairo-based used-car platform Sylndr has raised $15.7 million in a Series A equity round, led by DPI Venture Capital via the Nclude Fund, with participation from Algebra Ventures, Nuwa Capital, Raed Ventures, Uncovered Fund, Beltone Venture Capital, and Camel Ventures.- MoneyFellows. Egypt-based fintech Money Fellows has raised $13 million in a strategic funding round co-led by Al Mada Ventures and DPI Venture Capital via the Nclude Fund, with participation from Partech, CommerzVentures, and other investors.- UAE-based Tarjama raises $15 million in Series A funding to scale Arabic AI for enterprise in MENASummary: Tarjama, a UAE-based language solutions technology company and Arabic AI pioneer, has raised $15 million in a Series A round led by Global Ventures. The round also included participation from Wamda Capital, TA Ventures, Phaze Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, and Endeavor Catalyst.- Saudi spacetech SARsatX raises $2.6 million SeedSummary: Saudi Arabia-based spacetech SARsatX has raised $2.6 million in a Seed round, led by TONOMUS, with participation from Wa’ed Ventures (Aramco), Access Bridge Ventures, and KAUST Innovation Ventures.---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

Eyad Albayouk, General Manager at Flat6Labs KSA, and Hassan Ikram, Angel Investor and CEO of Cotyledon, delve into Saudi Arabia's ambitious AI initiative, Humane, aimed at elevating the country’s global AI standing. They discuss the launch of two AI-focused venture capital funds to bridge funding gaps in the MENA region and highlight the evolving geopolitical landscape in tech. The conversation also touches on innovative solutions in construction tech and the optimistic outlook for unicorns emerging in Saudi’s rapidly changing market.

VC React Podcast:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. ---Hosts: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://archives.fwdstart.me/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Available on:Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VCReactPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-react-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Arnav Danthi, Principal, @ Nuwa Capital- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnavdanthi/- VC Firm Website: https://www.nuwacapital.io/2. Amira Swilam, Partner @ Den VC- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amiraswilam/- VC Firm Website: https://denvc.com/3. Mo Salah, Partner at @ Pitlane Ventures - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisismosalah/---#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatetech #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle. Visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.weareocta.com/fwdstart ⁠⁠⁠⁠to get your first 6 months free.---News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.In Today's Episode:- UAE cybersecurity leader CPX acquires pioneering cyber-AI firm SpiderSilkSummary: Abu Dhabi-based CPX Holding has acquired spiderSilk, a UAE-born cyber-AI startup known for its flagship exposure management platform, Resonance, and autonomous SOC AI agents. Founded in 2019 by Rami El Malak and Mossab Hussein, spiderSilk has developed proprietary, AI-powered cybersecurity products used by both public and private sector clients across the region. The acquisition brings CPX’s service-led capabilities together with spiderSilk’s product-led innovation, creating a unified platform to scale into key markets like Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and North America. The company’s last raise was a $9M Series A back in 2023, led by Wa’ed Ventures. Global Ventures and Dara Holdings will remain part of the journey, supporting CPX’s leadership in driving the company’s continued growth.- Travis Kalanick’s CloudKitchens eyes IPO for Middle East unitSummary: Travis Kalanick’s CloudKitchens is reportedly exploring an IPO for its Middle East unit, with Goldman Sachs hired to assess a potential listing in the UAE or Saudi Arabia. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s PIF since a $400M investment in 2019, the ghost kitchen company operates under the KitchenPark brand in the UAE, Saudi, and Kuwait. The move puts it on a potential collision course with Dubai-based Kitopi, the regional category leader that became a unicorn in 2021 and has since expanded into physical dining spaces. No final decision has been made on timing or valuation, but the IPO could signal rising competition – and consolidation – in the Gulf’s cloud kitchen space..---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. ---Hosts: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://archives.fwdstart.me/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Available on:Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VCReactPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-react-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bdc23d6a-4381-405d-bf59-53560c671c11/vc-react-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Abdulrahman AlJiffry, Partner @ 500 Global - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdulrahman-aljiffry-23834738/- VC Firm Website: https://500.co/2.Abe Seksek, Angel Investor, and Host of the ABEZ Show- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abeseksek/- Show Website: https://www.abezshow.com/3. Dima Shahin, Venture Partner @ SVVI- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dima-shahin/- VC Firm Website: https://www.svvi.co/---#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatetech #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle. Visit: ⁠⁠⁠www.weareocta.com/fwdstart ⁠⁠⁠to get your first 6 months free.---News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.In Today's Episode:- iMENA Holding raises $135M and restructures as Saudi company ahead of IPOSummary: iMENA Group, one of MENA's leading digital platform operators, has raised $135 million in the first tranche of its pre-IPO funding round. - Erad secures $16 million pre-Series A to bridge SME credit gap in MENASummary: Saudi Arabia-based fintech erad has raised a $16 million pre-Series A funding round, backed by Y Combinator, Nuwa Capital, Khwarizmi Ventures, Aljazira Capital, VentureSouq, Oraseya Capital, and Joa Capital.- Zest Equity secures $4.3mln in pre-series A funding led by Prosus VenturesSummary: UAE-based fintech Zest Equity has raised $4.3 million in pre-Series A funding, led by Prosus Ventures with participation from Morgan Stanley Inclusive and Sustainable Ventures (MSISV). Founded in 2021 by Rawan Baddour and Zuhair Shamma, Zest Equity enables ecosystem players like founders and venture capitalists to sell their secondary shares online.- Calo absorbs Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen in UK launchSummary: Saudi-HQ’d personalised meal platform Calo has launched in the UK and acquired Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen, two of London’s most established meal delivery brands. The move marks Calo’s first expansion beyond the Gulf and sets the stage for broader European growth.---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. ---Hosts: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fwdstart.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Available on:Youtube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@VCReactPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-react-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bdc23d6a-4381-405d-bf59-53560c671c11/vc-react-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Fares Ghandour, Partner @ Wamda Capital - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faresghandour/- VC Firm Website: https://wamdacapital.com/2. Saad Hasan, Principal @ Sturgeon Capital- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syedsaadhasan01/- VC Firm Website: https://www.sturgeoncapital.com/3. Tambi Jalouqa, Founder & General Partner @ Maza Ventures- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tambijalouqa/- VC Firm Website: https://www.maza.vc/---#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatetech #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle. Visit: ⁠⁠www.weareocta.com/fwdstart ⁠⁠to get your first 6 months free.---News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.In Today's Episode:- Seesaw acquires Little Thinking Minds to expand learning solutions globallySummary: US-based edtech Seesaw has acquired Jordan's Little Thinking Minds for an unknown value. Founded in 2004 by Lamia Tabbaa and Rama Kayyali, Little Thinking Minds is a MENA-based, female-founded edtech company specialising in Arabic literacy solutions. Seesaw, founded in 2007 by Adrian Graham and Carl Sjogreen, offers a suite of AI-driven learning tools and digital curriculum products designed to enhance student engagement, facilitate real-time assessments, and strengthen school-home communication. - Mantra token price collapses by over 90% in 24 hoursSummary: The price of the Mantra (OM) token, the native cryptocurrency powering Shorooq-backed Mantra’s real-world tokenized asset blockchain, has plummeted by over 90% in the past 24 hours—falling from around $6.30 to under $0.50. This collapse erased more than $6 billion from its market capitalization and has led some traders to speculate that it may be a rug pull, drawing parallels with notorious collapses like LUNA and FTX. - Fluent Ventures backs replicated startup models in emerging marketsSummary: Fluent Ventures is a San Francisco-based early-stage venture firm betting on startups that adapt proven Western business models for emerging markets, rather than trying to invent something entirely new. Founded in 2023 by Alexandre Lazarow, the firm calls its approach “geographic alpha,” focusing on local adaptations in sectors like fintech, digital health, and commerce. Fluent is deploying $40 million through a fund, an incubator, and a co-investment vehicle, aiming for 22–25 investments across Latin America, MENA, Africa, Southeast Asia, and select U.S. markets. ---(أحمد طقاطقه)---