Shows
AnsamPartnersWho Needs Banks? The Crypto Lending Platform Winning Where They FailedIn this conversation, Faisal Fallatah speaks with Sean Kiernan, CEO of GreenGage, about the evolving landscape of digital finance, particularly focusing on the intersection of traditional banking and cryptocurrency. Sean shares his journey in the banking sector, the challenges faced by businesses in accessing credit, and how GreenGage aims to bridge these gaps through innovative solutions. The discussion also delves into the importance of security in digital finance, the future prospects for GreenGage, and valuable lessons learned from Sean's entrepreneurial journey.TakeawaysSean Kernan's journey from traditional banking to...
2025-10-2628 minAnsamPartnersInside OpenInfer: How Behnam Bastani Is Redefining AI Infrastructure for the EnterpriseIn this conversation, Faisal Fallatah interviews Behnam Bastani, founder of OpenInfer, discussing the company's vision for AI and technology. They explore the evolution of assistant-based platforms, industry applications, and the importance of data privacy. Behnam shares insights on how enterprises can leverage AI solutions, the future of AI in daily operations, and the company's plans for market expansion. The discussion also touches on the ease of adoption for businesses integrating AI and concludes with lighthearted questions about personal insights and experiences.Takeaways:OpenInfer focuses on building asset-based operating systems...
2025-10-2330 minAnsamPartnersThe 4-Layer Framework Redefining Business Strategy | Walid Zayed on Value Creation & AIMost companies are dead—they just don't know it yet. Inthis episode, we sit down with Walid Zayed, CEO of Rubicon with 20+ years transforming Middle East businesses, explains why thinking like you did 6 months ago makes you irrelevant in 12 months.You'll discover:The 4-layer framework killing traditional strategy (operational alpha, liquidity, data, AI)Why a top consulting firm's $1.1M strategy document was uselessHow Microsoft fired 9,000 people while hitting record profitsWhy blockchain isn't about Bitcoin—it's about instant liquidityTesla self-delivered a car to a customer. Your business model is next.Real examples of agentic AI replacing entire depa...
2025-10-2143 minAnsamPartnersThe Playbook for Building Wealth Across Borders - With Dr. Rajanya RavasiaWhat does it take to turn family land entangled in decades of litigation into a global wealth platform that helps clients diversify across continents? Dr. Rajanya Ravasia has done just that.From his early battles in Mumbai’s real estate market to building Adventum Wealth in the UK, Dr. Ravasia shares how he transformed personal setbacks into a strategy that now manages over £250 million in assets. He explains why diversification is non-negotiable, how to leverage property cycles for double-digit returns, and why Manchester is one of today’s most overlooked opportunities for global investors.Whether you’r...
2025-08-2348 minAnsamPartnersThe Hard Lessons of Building 10+ Companies - With Claus GotthardClaus Gotthard has founded more than 10 companies, faced failures that nearly ended his journey, and now leads a hedge fund out of Abu Dhabi. With close to 40 years of entrepreneurial experience, Claus brings unfiltered lessons on what it really takes to build, fail, and rebuild at scale.In this episode, Claus shares why resilience is the ultimate founder skill, how to approach risk with the discipline of both an entrepreneur and a fund manager, and why building companies requires the same grit as managing billions. He opens up about the hard truths most founders ignore and the...
2025-08-2342 minAnsamPartnersWhy Wealth Managers Can’t Ignore Content Marketing AnymoreMost wealth managers are invisible online, and it’s costing them clients. In today’s digital-first world, content marketing isn’t optional anymore - it’s survival.In this episode, Lorena Lopez, Founder & Managing Director of Civitas Post, explains why so many firms are falling behind and how to fix it. She shares how Civitas Post grew from a niche marketing agency into a full-scale media platform with The Golden Wealth Wire, The Golden Quarter Podcast, and The Golden Directory — all built to give professionals the visibility and trust they can’t get anywhere else.Lorena also...
2025-08-1721 minAnsamPartnersWhy Founders Who Ignore AI Agents Will Fall BehindAI agents aren’t just the next big thing, they’re already transforming how companies operate. In this episode, William Lee, co-founder of ACI.dev, breaks down why AI agents are the future of work and how his open-source platform is making them accessible to developers everywhere.William shares the story of growing ACI.dev to 5,000 developers in just 90 days, explains why most “AI agents” today are smoke and mirrors, and reveals what it really takes to build agents that do meaningful work — from scheduling meetings to powering due diligence for private equity firms.He also unpac...
2025-08-1736 minAnsamPartnersInside Dubai Luxury: Leonarda Loewenhardt on Building Sustainable WealthDiscover how global investors are building lasting wealth in Dubai. Join Leonarda Loewenhardt, CEO of Loewenhardt & Partners, as she shares the 3-bucket strategy for winning in luxury real estate, why villas beat apartments, and how tokenised property and crypto deals are reshaping the UAE market. If you want risk-aware, high-return strategies in one of the world’s hottest property hubs, this episode is your shortcut.
2025-08-0126 minAnsamPartnersFrom Idea to MVP: How VeryCreative Helps Non-Tech Founders Launch Winning StartupsWhat if you could turn your startup idea into a working product in 90 days—without writing a single line of code?In this episode, Ferenc and Mate, co-founders of Very Creative, share how they’ve helped more than 70 non-technical entrepreneurs launch SaaS products that gain traction and sustain growth for years.You’ll learn:The 4-step framework that takes founders from idea to MVP to paying usersWhy most MVPs fail and how to avoid the most expensive early mistakesThe truth about AI prototypes and why they can’t replac...
2025-08-0141 min
AnsamPartnersInside the Tech Behind Dubai’s Fastest Restaurant Search EngineFinding the perfect place to eat in Dubai shouldn’t take hours—or five different apps. With over 12,000 restaurants in the city, discovery is a challenge for both foodies and visitors.In this episode, Walid Abou Ali, co-founder of Places UAE, reveals how his team built a hyperlocal, lightning-fast search engine that helps users find the right restaurant in under 700 milliseconds.Walid shares how Places UAE:Solves the fragmented restaurant discovery problem in DubaiCombines custom AI and classic search tech for accurate resultsDelivers a bias-free experience without paid...
2025-08-0143 minAnsamPartnersHow Quadra is Powering the Next Era of Institutional Crypto AdoptionPedro Birmann spent 17 years trading on Wall Street before realizing that the future of finance was being built in crypto. Today, as the co-founder and CEO of Quadra, he’s creating the infrastructure that allows institutions to trade, manage risk, and operate confidently in digital asset markets.In this episode, Pedro reveals how institutional adoption is accelerating, the lessons from FTX and 2022, and why tokenization and unified trading tools are transforming the financial industry.Listen now to understand how the future of institutional crypto is taking shape.
2025-07-3145 minAnsamPartnersWhy Most High Earners Stay Broke (And How to Avoid It)Many professionals earn well but never build real wealth. Why? Because income alone doesn’t equal financial freedom.In this episode, Nabeel Anan, co-founder of Financial Freedom, shares why even high-income earners often stay broke and the habits that can turn any paycheck into lasting wealth.You’ll learn:The #1 financial rule that keeps you out of debt and in controlHow to separate wants from needs to avoid lifestyle creepThe 10% savings habit that builds wealth without stressWhy financial literacy and consistency matter more than risk...
2025-07-3132 minAnsamPartnersSME to Stock Market: TAM Capital’s Playbook Investors Wish You Already KnewWhat if a Saudi startup could map its funding and its future listing on day one?That’s the quiet promise behind TAM Capital, and in this episode co-founder Dr. Moussa Hawas cracks open the playbook. Drawing on two decades in equity research and private investing, he walks us through a three-phase roadmap that helps small-and-mid-sized companies raise capital without the usual cap-table pain and arrive at Saudi Arabia’s Nomu market ready, not rushed.Inside the conversationRate the Unratable – A proprietary SME credit score unlocks sensible, collateral-backed debt in Year 1—long before t...
2025-07-2840 minAnsamPartnersThe Startup That’s Making Data Actionable for Every Restaurant OwnerIn this episode, Abdulwahab AlZaidi ex-PwC consultant and co-founder of Bellurh shares how he turned a manual side project into a full-fledged SaaS platform that’s changing how restaurants operate in Saudi Arabia.What started as a simple WhatsApp experiment quickly exposed a deeper issue: restaurant owners were drowning in data but starving for action. Bellurh was built to fix that. Abdulwahab walks us through how the product evolved from spreadsheet chaos to an automated engine that helps restaurants boost performance, fix campaign leaks, and eliminate refund blind spots—without needing a data team.This epis...
2025-07-2732 minAnsamPartnersSaudi Startup Secrets Revealed: From Fintech Firestorms to Culture-Tech WinsIn this episode, Abdulaziz Ahmed e-ngineer, fintech entrepreneur, and founder of Nuqwa - shares a rich, boots-on-the-ground perspective on building startups in Saudi Arabia. From navigating a pivot out of healthcare into IoT, and then fintech, Abdulaziz unpacks the hard-won lessons from launching a savings-focused B2B2C platform and the regulatory maze that nearly derailed it. He candidly explains how understanding local financial regulation is not just a compliance checkbox but a critical growth catalyst.Abdulaziz also introduces Nuqwa, a visionary platform blending AI and digital culture to create immersive heritage art experiences. With a mission...
2025-07-2628 min
AnsamPartnersHow This CEO Scaled His Team Without Killing Culture - or InnovationWhat if solving complex tech problems started not with code, but with curiosity about people?In this episode, Rich Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations and best-selling author shares how he turned a toxic, chaotic career in software into a joyful mission to eliminate human suffering through technology. The surprising secret? High-tech anthropology.Discover how Rich’s team designs software by studying users in their natural environments - transforming clunky systems into tools that feel effortless. From NASA missions to hospital systems, Menlo’s radically human process is rewriting the rules of innovation, collaboration, and workplace cult...
2025-07-2640 minAnsamPartnersInside the Mind of a Gaming Visionary - Mustafa Magdi Reveals AllWhat if learning felt like play, not work?In this captivating episode, host Faisal Fallatah sits down with Mustafa Magdi, the driving force behind Phantasm—a company turning the world of education and business on its head through the power of gaming and digital innovation. Discover how a childhood passion for video games set Mustafa on a journey from freelance coder to founder, now trailblazing a space where business strategy meets authentic gaming culture.From Gamer to Game-Changer: Learn how Mustafa’s love for games and knack for building teams led to the foundation of Phant...
2025-07-2127 minAnsamPartnersFrom Side Hustle to Sector Leader: Veevart’s Path to Powering MuseumsIn this episode, Antonio Velasco, founder of Veevart, shares how a side project in 2016 turned into a mission-driven SaaS platform powering digital transformation for museums and cultural institutions. We explore the challenges of bootstrapping, shifting from galleries to museums, partnering with Salesforce, building a strong team, and using data and technology to help museums increase engagement, revenue, and impact—without compromising their purpose.Chapters03:50 Navigating Challenges: Growth Strategies and Hurdles06:55 Unique Value Proposition: What Museums See in Veevert10:17 Understanding Museum Challenges: Competing for Attention13:12 Future Milestones: Pr...
2025-07-2031 minAnsamPartnersSpecialize or Stall: The On-Shore Playbook Dominating NetSuiteJoin host, Faisal Fallatah as he sits down with Jacob Terneus, CEO of Anchor Group, to explore how a small NetSuite consultancy scaled to become a leader in the industry. Discover the secrets behind building a strong team culture, the importance of specialization, and the leadership lessons that drive sustainable growth. Whether you’re a founder, team leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights on scaling, client relationships, and building a company that truly delights.
2025-07-1439 minAnsamPartnersHow to Build a Scalable GTM Strategy: Lessons from a Global Tech Consultant Most tech companies are brilliant at building products but often stumble when it comes to go-to-market (GTM) strategy. In this episode, Harald Horgen, CEO of The York Group and trusted advisor to global brands, reveals why so many tech firms struggle to scale—and how to get it right. Drawing on decades of experience, Horgen explains why a product-centric mindset can lead to costly failures, how to truly understand your ideal customer profile, and why channel partners and strategic alliances are critical for sustainable growth. He also unpacks the importance of aligning incentives, mitigating risk for partners, and leveraging th...
2025-06-1050 minAnsamPartnersAre You Really Ready to Go Public? Wael Mahdi on Transparency, Trust & Scale in SaudiMost founders think they’re ready to scale or go public.In reality? They’re not even close.In this episode, Wael Mahdi shares what investors, regulators, and leadership teams are really looking for when evaluating a company’s IPO-readiness. We dive deep into the mindset shifts, internal structures, and cultural transparency needed to build trust at the highest level—especially in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing ecosystem.If you're raising capital, preparing for an exit, or scaling in the region, this is your wake-up call.Don’t pitch until you’ve heard this.
2025-06-1050 minAnsamPartnersAI-Driven Remote Care Management: How OneCare360 Delivers Continuity of Care Without Disrupting Clinical WorkflowsWhile most health systems rely on fragmented check-ins that leave 60 % of patient insights unnoticed, Neeraj Chitra reveals a radical, battle-tested alternative: OneCare360’s AI-driven remote patient monitoring platform operates behind closed doors to lock down compliance and maintain seamless care. Drawing on his 2010 oncology-automation project—still used by hundreds of oncologists—Neeraj launched OneCare360 in 2021 to capture ambient, 24×7 data across 34 million eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Within the first 12 weeks, OneCare360 secured three major provider partnerships, proving that care gaps can be closed in under one month instead of one year. This game-changing approach leverages human-in-the-loop AI, audit-ready workflows, and multi-shore support...
2025-06-0534 minAnsamPartnersFirewall-First AI: How Pixel Rain Delivers On-Prem Gen-AI Without the Data-Leak Headache While millions of companies risk everything by sending sensitive data to ChatGPT, tech pioneer Leslie Steele reveals the "firewall-first" AI revolution happening behind closed doors. Her radical approach keeps generative AI completely locked down—running on-premise or in private clouds—while still delivering game-changing results. She breaks down her battle-tested framework: four critical pillars (models, data, users, interfaces) and a "crawl-walk-run" strategy that turns AI skeptics into believers. The proof? Teams now draft complex 30-page documents in 2 hours instead of 2 weeks, and healthcare companies strip sensitive patient data in days, not months—all without a single byte leaving their secure...
2025-06-0435 minAnsamPartnersStartups Are Crashing—Here’s the 85 % Close-Rate Tactic a Navy Veteran Uses to WinWhat does it really take to build a resilient company in today’s uncertain landscape? In this episode, Cleve Grable shares his journey from military service to tech entrepreneurship, revealing how discipline, focus, and a clear strategy helped him bootstrap a thriving business. Cleve discusses the mindset shifts that matter most, the cash flow rules that keep founders afloat, and the common mistakes that stall momentum.
2025-05-1430 minAnsamPartnersWhy Most Founders Fail at Fundraising-And How to Get It Right with Marios KalochoritisWhat separates founders who get funded from those who don’t? In this episode, Marios Kalochoritis, Managing Partner at Loggerhead Partners and a global investment leader pulls back the curtain on what really matters to investors. Discover why most pitches fail, the critical importance of putting real “skin in the game,” and why investors back people, not just ideas. Marios explains how to build genuine relationships, the red flags that make him walk away, and why the right partner brings more than just a check. You’ll learn when to raise capital, what character traits win trust, and how friction...
2025-05-1448 minAnsamPartnersThe Playbook for Sports Teams: How Rebecca Elliott Is Using Blockchain to Rewrite the Rules of Athlete SuccessWhat if your team could unlock new revenue, supercharge fan loyalty, and empower athletes-all with one platform? In this episode, Rebecca Elliott, founder and CEO of Podium Pursuit Collective, reveals the game-changing strategies behind her blockchain-powered ecosystem for sports. Discover how teams and federations can use digital engagement tools to centralize communication, create transparent funding, and give fans immersive, rewarding experiences. Rebecca shares how her platform isn’t just for elite clubs-any organization can adopt these tools to build a thriving community, monetize beyond sponsorships, and help athletes become entrepreneurs for life after sport. If you’re ready to futu...
2025-05-1235 minAnsamPartnersThe Truth About Quantum & AI: How Randy Johnston Built an Unbreakable MSP (And What Most Get Wrong)What if everything you know about running a successful MSP is about to be disrupted? In this episode, tech legend Randy Johnston reveals the game changing impact of quantum computing and AI on managed service providers and exposes why most MSPs are unprepared for what’s coming next. Randy shares the critical (and often overlooked) metrics that powered his firm’s 19-quarter streak as the #1 MSP, from watertight client retention to sky-high margins and a relentless focus on quality over profit. He also uncovers the hidden risks of quantum tech, the real reason redundancy is non-negotiable, and how to futu...
2025-05-1147 minAnsamPartnersFintech Secrets Revealed: How Middle East Startups REALLY Disrupt the Market with Grant NivenSUMMARYEver wonder how radical ideas are reshaping finance—and who’s driving them? In this episode, Grant Niven reveals the unstoppable forces behind open banking, embedded finance, and the relentless innovation sweeping the Middle East and beyond. Discover why grit is every founder’s secret weapon, how smart regulations fuel massive growth, and what you risk by sitting on the sidelines. If you’re ready for a front-row seat to the future of money, this conversation is your ticket.Key Takeaways Grit Matters...
2025-04-1344 minAnsamPartnersHow Punit Agrawal Built KoinX to Solve Crypto’s Biggest Compliance NightmareIn this conversation, Faisal speaks with Punit Agrawal, a prominent figure in the blockchain space and founder of KoinX. They discuss Punit's journey in blockchain, the challenges of crypto taxation, and how KoinX simplifies compliance for investors. Punit shares insights from his experience leading the Crypto Relief Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic and discusses the evolving landscape of crypto regulations and the future of blockchain technology.TakeawaysPunit Agrawal has been active in the blockchain space for years.KoinX was founded to simplify crypto accounting and taxation.Compliance...
2025-03-2333 minAnsamPartnersCopy, Paste, Innovate: Inside the Mind of Ebrahem Anwar, the 4-Time Founder Transforming Real EstateIn this episode of the Ansam Partners Podcast, Faisal Fallatah interviews Ibrahim Anwar, COO of Ion, who shares his entrepreneurial journey, insights on building successful startups, and the importance of mentorship. Ibrahim discusses the challenges of scaling businesses, the significance of data in the real estate industry, and the future of PropTech in the Middle East. He emphasizes the need for a strong team, effective time management, and understanding customer needs to succeed in the competitive landscape.TakeawaysIbrahim Anwar's journey began with a t-shirt business in university.He learned...
2025-03-1643 minAnsamPartnersBitcoin Meets DeFi: Native's Revolutionary Approach to Making BTC Capital Efficient with Siva Sagiraju, Co-founder of NativeIn this episode, Faisal interviews Siva Sagiraju, co-founder of Native, a company focused on integrating Bitcoin into decentralized finance (DeFi). Siva shares his journey into the blockchain space, the architecture of Native, and the importance of making Bitcoin more capital efficient. He discusses the challenges of Bitcoin programmability, insights from his career at Meta and Polygon, and the future of Bitcoin beyond being a mere store of value. The conversation also touches on the role of education in DeFi, the impact of regulations, and the obstacles to mainstream adoption.TakeawaysSiva's journey...
2025-03-1335 minAnsamPartnersThe Ex-McKinsey Consultant Who’s Making Sales Teams Finally Love Their CRM—Meet Giuseppe ManzoneSummary:In this episode, Faisal Fallatah interviews Giuseppe Manzone, the founder of Dalil AI, a next-generation AI-powered CRM. Giuseppe shares his journey from being a McKinsey consultant to building an innovative CRM solution that automates sales processes, eliminates manual data entry, and helps sales teams close deals faster.They discuss common frustrations with traditional CRMs, how Dalil AI integrates with tools like WhatsApp and LinkedIn, and the importance of AI augmenting rather than replacing sales teams. Giuseppe also touches on startup challenges, go-to-market strategies, and the future of AI in sales automation.
2025-03-1235 min
AnsamPartnersBridging the SME Funding Gap: How AI and Blockchain are Reshaping Finance with Lina HediahSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the global economy, yet many struggle to secure the funding they need to grow. Traditional financing methods often fall short, leaving a massive funding gap that limits innovation and business expansion.In this episode of AnsamPartners, we sit down with Lina Hediah, CEO of CXDA Markets, to explore how AI-driven credit scoring and blockchain-powered digital assets are transforming SME financing. Lina shares her insights on:Why traditional banking models fail to serve SMEs effectivelyHow CXDA Markets is leveraging AI and blockchain to provide faster, more transparent funding...
2025-03-1133 min
AnsamPartnersM&A Secrets Revealed: How Middle East Deals Really Get Done with Marc NassimSummary:In this episode of the Ansam Partners podcast, Faisal Fallatah interviews Mark Nassim, Partner and Managing Director at Awad Capital. They discuss the evolving landscape of M&A and private equity in the Middle East, the common mistakes founders make when seeking investment, and strategies for maximizing valuations and preparing for successful exits. Mark shares insights on the challenges faced by mid-sized businesses, the importance of listening to market signals, and the impact of AI on the investment banking sector. The conversation also touches on emerging trends in private equity and the future of deal-making in...
2025-03-1128 min