Shows
The MENA Startup ShowBootstrapping and Scaling Wafeq from 0 to 10k Customers with Nadim Alameddine - E9In this episode, Nadim Alameddine, CEO & founder of Wafeq, shares his journey from bootstrapping his first startup to building a SaaS company that simplifies accounting and financial management for businesses in MENA.Nadim discusses the lessons he learned from scaling multiple products, why localization is a key differentiator in the region, and how Wafeq navigates the complex landscape of regulations and compliance. He also dives into the challenges of pricing SaaS in MENA, his approach to fundraising, and how AI is reshaping financial software.Key takeaways:- Bootstrapping forces founders to be resourceful and prioritize sustainable growth.- Having...2025-02-1240 minThe MENA Startup ShowHow Cercli Is Replacing Legacy HR Systems for MENA Businesses with Akeed Azmi - E8In this episode, Akeed Azmi, co-founder of Cercli, shares his journey from working at industry giants like Careem and Kitopi to launching his own venture focused on solving payroll and global team management issues for MENA businesses.
Akeed discusses the problem he identified twice—first at Careem and then again at Kitopi—and how it led to the creation of Cercli. His experience navigating the challenges of payroll management in a fast-growing market shaped his determination to build a solution that automates back-office work, reducing errors and ensuring compliance. He also reveals the key insights that have driven Cercli’s rapi...2025-01-2851 minThe MENA Startup ShowWalid Dib - Building Better and Lessons From Previous Startups - E7In this episode, Walid Dib, entrepreneur and founder of Better, takes us through his unconventional journey from the world of insurance to building innovative solutions in the personal wellness space. After pivoting, he now focuses on tackling sensitive issues that men face, such as hair loss and sexual wellness.
Walid shares his unique approach to building a brand that addresses the mental and physical health of men, focusing on solutions that go beyond the typical market offerings. He emphasizes the importance of building in public, being transparent with customers, and creating products that truly solve problems, not just fill...2025-01-071h 06The MENA Startup ShowVC Lessons, Regrets, and Trends with Khaled Talhouni – E6 pt. 3Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, shares invaluable insights into how VCs assess founders and startups, particularly in the early stages. In part 3 of this 3-part series, Khaled reflects on lessons learned from his portfolio companies and 15+ years in VC, and explores the evolution of venture capital in MENA. He shares his vision for Nuwa Capital’s future, emphasizing the role of trust, transparency, and sourcing innovative startups to shape the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Related Episodes:
How MENA VCs Evaluate Founders – Insights from Khaled Talhouni – E6 pt. 1: https://youtu.be/_LW4aiggEuw
Part 2, How to Raise Your First Ro...2024-12-1920 minThe MENA Startup ShowHow to Raise Your First Round – VC Tips from Khaled Talhouni – E6 pt. 2Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, shares invaluable insights into how VCs assess founders and startups, particularly in the early stages. In part 2 of this 3-part series, Khaled discusses how and when to approach VCs, how to create FOMO, and the essential elements for a standout pitch.
Related Episodes:
How MENA VCs Evaluate Founders – Insights from Khaled Talhouni – E6 pt. 1: https://youtu.be/_LW4aiggEuw
Part 3, Lessons and insights in the VC space: Coming Soon!
Key takeaways:
- Founders should focus on understanding the problem, product roadmap, and market potential before approaching VCs.
- It's...2024-12-1519 minThe MENA Startup ShowHow MENA VCs Evaluate Founders – Insights from Khaled Talhouni – E6 pt. 1Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, shares invaluable insights into how VCs assess founders and startups, particularly in the early stages. In part 1 of this 3-part series, Khaled breaks down the key traits he looks for in founders and teams, the importance of clarity of vision, and how to adapt to feedback and pivot when necessary.
Related Episodes:
Part 2, How to successfully raise your first / early stage round from a VC: https://youtu.be/h8OJ69nYpLA
Part 3, Lessons and insights in the VC space: Coming Soon!
Key takeaways:
- Early-stage investments focus heavily on the founding team’s...2024-12-1020 minThe MENA Startup ShowNader Amiri: Building elGrocer, Exiting to Etisalat & Launching Homegrown Ventures - E5Nader Amiri, an entrepreneur and angel investor, shares his journey from brand management roles at Kraft Foods and Coca-Cola to founding El Grocer and now leading Homegrown, a venture focused on accelerating the FMCG and CPG ecosystem in the MENA region.
Nader reflects on the challenges and rewards of his entrepreneurial path, particularly the hurdles faced while scaling El Grocer and navigating the impact of COVID-19. He also shares valuable lessons learned from his first startup, including the importance of timing, building a strong team, and the power of strategic partnerships. As he discusses his latest venture, Homegrown, Nader...2024-12-031h 34The MENA Startup ShowIraklis Alexopoulos: From Bartender to CTO & Founder – Lessons in Building and Scaling Tech Products - E4Iraklis Alexopoulos, a former bartender turned successful CTO and entrepreneur, shares his unconventional journey from mixing drinks to building and exiting a tech streaming platform.
Iraklis reflects on the lessons learned from navigating imposter syndrome, building meaningful products, and finding fulfillment in unconventional career paths. He also introduces his latest venture, Peggy.us, an AI-powered platform that streamlines the creation of ad and social media creatives, enabling businesses to generate compelling content quickly and efficiently. Together with Samer, they explore the challenges of starting a venture in the MENA region, the importance of focusing on niche audiences, and the...2024-11-211h 35The MENA Startup ShowRami Tabbara, Co-Founder of Stake: Fractional Real Estate Investment Platform in UAE & KSA - E3Rami Tabbara, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Stake, discusses his challenging start in the real estate industry to building the most advanced real estate investment platform in the world.
Rami shares the lessons learned from early career risks, the importance of focus and perseverance, and the strategies that have driven Stake's growth and success. Samer and Rami discuss navigating regulatory landscapes, scaling operations in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and the critical importance of user experience and team culture. They look at the broader MENA entrepreneurial ecosystem and highlight the opportunities and challenges faced by startups in the region.
Key takeaways:
...2024-11-141h 33The MENA Startup ShowAhmed Al Rawi: Building Calo from MVP to MENA's leading meal subscription service - E2A chat with Ahmed Al Rawi, the founder and CEO of Calo, to discuss how he built the leading meal subscription service in MENA in just three years.
Ahmed shares his journey, from dropping out of college to building multiple startups, and how he eventually found his calling with Calo. We discuss the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and his vision for the future of Calo.
Key takeaways:
- Ahmed's journey from a young tech enthusiast to a successful entrepreneur
- How Calo was launched with just a $2,000 MVP budget
- The power of invitation-only launches and...2024-08-282h 08The MENA Startup ShowZubair Paracha: Building and exiting MENABytes & other startup stories - E1Zubair, founder of MENABytes, shares his journey in the MENA startup scene.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:33 Early Days and Interest in Tech
02:02 First Dollar Online and Dropping Out of School
03:25 Building Websites and Learning SEO
04:18 Starting a Career in HR and Transitioning to Tech
06:39 Accidentally starting MENABytes
09:40 Tipping Point and Growth of MENABytes
11:35 Monetization and Challenges of Building a Business
19:06 Becoming the Go-To Source for Tech News
22:29 Dealing with Pushback and Controversies
25:49 Building a Strong Network and Learning from Others
28:41 Future Plans and the Value of Writing
31:39 Pivoting in Career and the Importance of Writing
32:08 Challenges Faced by Founders...2024-08-071h 06