Startups Arabia

Ali Zewail
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The Arab startups scene is one of the hottest globally. The Startups Arabia podcast is the place to learn all about it. With a 420 million strong population that is young and tech-savvy, the Arab world is proving to be a great market to create a startup. This podcast interviews the best founders, investors and operators of the region. Listening to deep conversations with them, you will learn deep insights about the ecosystem. You will also be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

  1. Yasmine El-Mehairy, Building Dija, Empowering Women & Navigating Uncertain Terrain – Ep.8, Season 3

    16/11/2025

    Yasmine El-Mehairy, Building Dija, Empowering Women & Navigating Uncertain Terrain – Ep.8, Season 3

    Yasmine El-Mehairy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dija, a platform helping Muslim women invest with confidence in a way aligned with their faith and values. Yasmine is a serial entrepreneur, passionate about startups with purpose. Before launching Dija, she worked in global financial service organizations like City Ventures and Deloitte Digital, as well as founding and managing other startups in various fields, like digital media and e-commerce. She previously Co-Founded SuperMama, the one-stop shop for mothers in the Arab world, which was acquired by Mawdoo3. She's also an expert in entrepreneurship, serving as a lecturer and tutor at Oxford University. Yasmine holds an executive MBA from London Business School, a master's in online media from the University of Westminster, and a bachelor's in computer Science from Egypt's Aisha's University, and has been strongly committed to creating the change she wants to see in the world by starting purposeful startups that contribute to the growing ecosystem.  —----------------------------------------------------------- The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch: LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast Twitter: @ArabiaStartups Facebook: @startupsarabia Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast —--- Resources—--------: Yasmine’s LinkedIn account: @Yamine El-Mehairy Dija Money’s Website: https://www.dija.money/  —----------------------------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Introduction to the Startups Arabia Podcast 00:25 Meet Yasmine El-Mehairy: A Serial Entrepreneur 02:17 Yasmine's Early Career and First Startup 03:01 The Turning Point: From Corporate to Startup 07:28 The Birth of SuperMama 09:11 Challenges and Pivots in SuperMama's Journey 19:46 SuperMama's Growth and Traction 34:31 Navigating Investor Relations and Board Dynamics 38:37 The Acquisition of SuperMama 45:07 Transition to Dija Money and Financial Empowerment 45:30 The Origin of Dija Money 46:29 Financial Mistakes and Lessons Learned 49:32 Gender and Financial Literacy 54:18 Geopolitical and Socioeconomic Factors 01:00:45 The Dija App: Vision and Development 01:06:23 Building a Startup: Strategies and Challenges 01:10:51 Personal and Professional Reflections 01:20:53 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    1h 27m
  2. Ramez El-Serafy, The 14 year Journey of F6 and an Evolving Region – Ep.7, Season 3

    05/10/2025

    Ramez El-Serafy, The 14 year Journey of F6 and an Evolving Region – Ep.7, Season 3

    Ramez El-Serafy is the General Partner and Co-Founder of F6 Ventures, bringing over 18 years of experience in technology, investments, entrepreneurship, and management. Before launching F6 Ventures, Ramez served as CEO of Flat6Labs from 2011 to 2025, where he led its transformation into one of the most active innovation platforms in the Middle East and Africa, expanding its footprint, scaling its operations, and investing in hundreds of high-growth startups. Earlier in his career, Ramez was responsible for building and managing the mobile applications business at Sarmady – a Vodafone company – and served as a board member of the Global Accelerator Network from 2014 to 2016. He holds a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from Alexandria University and is deeply committed to fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, and building impactful businesses that shape the future of emerging markets. —----------------------------------------------------------- The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch: LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast Twitter: @ArabiaStartups Facebook: @startupsarabia Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast —--- Resources—--------: Ramez’s LinkedIn account: @Ramez El-Serafy F6 Ventures’ Website: https://f6.vc/ —----------------------------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Introduction to Ramez El-Serafy and the Podcast 02:41 The Birth of Flat6Labs 07:14 Challenges and Growth of Flat6Labs 24:00 Expanding Beyond Egypt 30:36 The Evolution into F6 Ventures 38:59 Introduction to F6 Ventures 39:30 Launching F6 Ventures and Portfolio Management 40:33 Regional Strategies and Consolidation 41:54 Investment Programs and Mandates 43:00 Focus on Africa, Levant, and GCC 52:07 Personal Transformation and Health Journey 57:11 Fundraising Advice for Founders 01:03:51 Investment Decision-Making Process 01:10:22 Challenges in the Regional Ecosystem 01:13:04 Navigating Market Challenges 01:14:00 Geographical Diversification Strategy 01:15:07 Startup Exit Options 01:15:51 Investor Exit Strategies 01:18:33 Impact of Exits on Ecosystems 01:22:33 Key Questions for Founders 01:25:36 Challenges in Fundraising 01:28:38 Emerging Sectors and Technologies 01:35:19 Building a Sustainable Ecosystem 01:40:12 Future Goals and Expansion 01:41:43 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    1h 48m
  3. Karim Jouini, Pursuing a Second Successful Startup and Rethinking his Identity as a Global Entrepreneur – Ep.6, Season 3

    14/09/2025

    Karim Jouini, Pursuing a Second Successful Startup and Rethinking his Identity as a Global Entrepreneur – Ep.6, Season 3

    Born in Tunisia and “well-travelled”. Geek, started my first software company at the age of 16. Studied Software Engineering and AI at INSA Toulouse and University of Western Ontario. Joined Microsoft, where I spent 7 years — from Software Engineer to Engineering Manager — and truly fell in love with testing and quality. Then co-founded Expensya, an AI-powered expense management scale-up that grew across Europe and was acquired for over $100M. Now building Thunders: a no-code, agentic AI testing solution that empowers both developers and non-technical teams to automate end-to-end testing at scale — without writing a single line of code. Passionate about shipping faster, with confidence. —----------------------------------------------------------- The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch: LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast Twitter: @ArabiaStartups Facebook: @startupsarabia Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast —--- Resources—--------: Karim’s LinkedIn account: @Karim Jouini Thunders’ Website: https://www.thunders.ai/ —----------------------------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Introduction to Karim Jouini and the Podcast 03:10 Karim's Journey in Tech and Early Ventures 05:00 The Importance of Hard and Soft Skills 07:29 Challenges and Lessons from Building Expensya 10:16 Founding Thunders and Its Vision 25:56 Thunders’ Progress and Future Plans 30:38 AI in Testing and Overcoming Regional Challenges 47:55 Handling Customer Feedback 50:16 Go-to-Market Strategy 53:34 Team Size and Structure 55:56 Remote Work Policy 56:53 Leadership Principles 59:37 Identity and Global Citizenship 01:01:55 Impact of Global Events 01:08:54 Fundraising Strategy 01:13:05 Acquisition Decision 01:17:32 Co-Founder Dynamics 01:22:21 Regional Startup Ecosystem 01:25:13 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    1h 34m
  4. Jon Edward Santillan, Selling to Careem, Starting his Second Company, and Building OCTA in Public – Ep.5, Season 3

    24/08/2025

    Jon Edward Santillan, Selling to Careem, Starting his Second Company, and Building OCTA in Public – Ep.5, Season 3

    Jon Santillan is the co-founder of OCTA, a platform automating financial operations for businesses — starting with accounts receivables and embedded financing. He’s a second-time founder, previously building and selling Denarii to Careem. Based in Dubai, Jon’s been operating in the region for over a decade, and he’s now focused on helping SMEs across the Middle East get paid faster, streamline workflows, and access capital when they need it. —----------------------------------------------------------- The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch: LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast Twitter: @ArabiaStartups Facebook: @startupsarabia Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast —--- Resources—--------: Jon’s LinkedIn account: @Jon Edward Santillan OCTA’s Website: https://weareocta.com/ —----------------------------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Introduction to Jon Santillan and the Podcast 03:06 Journey to Founding OCTA 04:49 Challenges and Solutions in Payment Collections 09:21 Revenue Streams and Business Model 17:40 Global Market Aspirations 20:22 Fundraising and Investor Relations 27:35 Early Career and SEO Expertise 32:31 Entrepreneurial Journey and Founding Denarii 45:03 Acquisition by Careem and Lessons Learned 53:35 The Role of Capital in Ambition and Creativity 54:19 Integration Process Post-Acquisition 58:00 Reflections on Selling the Company 01:01:16 Angel Investing Approach 01:03:31 Building in Public: Strategy and Benefits 01:08:28 Challenges of Being an Expat Founder 01:11:42 Advice on Co-Founding Relationships 01:18:00 Managing Investor Relationships 01:27:03 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    1h 35m
  5. Khaled Talhouni, Spotting and Supporting Great Founders and the Macro Trends Creating a Regional Golden Age – Ep.4, Season 3

    22/06/2025

    Khaled Talhouni, Spotting and Supporting Great Founders and the Macro Trends Creating a Regional Golden Age – Ep.4, Season 3

    Khaled Talhouni is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Nuwa Capital, a VC firm investing in early-stage startups across the MENAPT region, based in Dubai and Riyadh. He has managed over 150 early-stage deals with a total AUM exceeding $300M and has successfully exited 15+. With deep expertise in venture investing and portfolio management, he plays a key role in shaping the region’s startup ecosystem. —----------------------------------------------------------- The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch: LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast Twitter: @ArabiaStartups Facebook: @startupsarabia Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast —--- Resources—--------: Khaled’s LinkedIn account: @Khaled Talhouni Nuwa Capital’s Website: https://www.nuwacapital.io/ —----------------------------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Introduction to Khaled Talhouni and the Podcast 01:50 Early Career and Entry into VC 08:05 Wamda Capital and Its Impact 11:49 Founding of Nuwa Capital 13:44 Investment Thesis and Founder Profiles 22:57 AI's Impact on SaaS and Future Trends 37:14 Regional Startups Going Global 42:33 The Golden Age for the Region 44:50 Technological Transformation in the GCC 45:32 The Impact of Youth and Demographics 47:18 Geopolitical Neutrality and Economic Reforms 48:40 Case Study: A Successful Acquisition 52:21 The Importance of Founder-Investor Relationships 54:34 Reflecting on Missed Opportunities 57:49 Challenges in the Venture Capital Landscape 01:00:47 Spotting and Supporting Great Founders 01:03:23 Quick Investment Decisions 01:07:22 The Future of the Regional Ecosystem 01:12:42 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    1h 15m
  6. Michael Lints, Investing in Defensible Tech and Building Strong Founder Relationships – Ep.3, Season 3

    09/06/2025

    Michael Lints, Investing in Defensible Tech and Building Strong Founder Relationships – Ep.3, Season 3

    Michael Lints has over 20 years of experience helping innovative businesses obtain the resources, insights, and expertise they need in order to be successful. Michael has been a startup operator, investor, and mentor, and is currently a Partner at the Singapore-based venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures. He joined the firm in 2013 and is currently leading growth venture efforts, which include LP fundraising and portfolio management for Golden Gate Ventures investments at Series B and beyond. Michael’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2000 when he co-founded an IT managed services startup in Europe that was acquired by a large data and telecom company six years later. In 2007, Michael founded a venture fund focused on Dutch small- and medium-sized enterprises to help them with capital financing, business development, and strategy. During the same period, he was invited to join the Economic Development Board Rotterdam as Vice Chairman. In that role, he launched the Young Economic Development Board where he brought together a highly influential Dutch network to develop a sustainable framework for public-private relationships that increased local business investment while leveraging the public infrastructure. Michael has helped support firm and portfolio-level priorities that have spanned fundraising, capital allocation, and corporate development. He has helped to raise over USD $60M for Golden Gate Ventures and its portfolio companies, including helping to raise later stage rounds from external investors as well as leading two early strategic acquisitions. Outside of work, sport is an essential part of Michael’s life. He is a former member of the Dutch karate team and the former ambassador for Treknology (Trek bikes distributor in Singapore). Michael actively participates in Ironman 70.3 races and marathons. He is also passionate about social justice and uses sport as a vehicle to raise awareness for important issues such as civil rights, economic opportunity, and education.  —----------------------------------------------------------- The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch: LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast Twitter: @ArabiaStartups Facebook: @startupsarabia Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast —--- Resources—--------: Michael’s LinkedIn account: @Michael Lints Michael’s Website: michaellints.com Golden Gate Ventures' Website: https://www.goldengate.vc/ —----------------------------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Introduction to Michael Lints and the Podcast 02:44 Who is Michael Lints? 06:16 Golden Gate Ventures: Mission and Early Days 09:39 Expanding to the MENA Region 12:55 Investment Strategies and Portfolio Insights 33:26 AI's Impact on Venture Capital and Industry 41:08 Michael Lints' Documentary: Broken Chains 42:56 Challenges Faced by Minority Founders 46:44 Personal Reflections on Career and Opportunity 48:38 From Martial Arts to Ironman 54:28 Investment Decisions and Regrets 57:02 The Impact of Market Trends on Fundraising 59:53 Key Questions for Founders 01:01:18 Characteristics of a Great Investor 01:03:12 The Importance of Founders in Early-Stage Investments 01:05:31 Navigating Exit Options in the Region 01:09:36 Wishes for the Regional Ecosystem 01:10:40 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    1h 18m
  7. Julien Plouzeau, From Banking to VC, Multistage Investment Strategy, and a Deep Dive into the UAE Ecosystem – Ep.2, Season 3

    18/05/2025

    Julien Plouzeau, From Banking to VC, Multistage Investment Strategy, and a Deep Dive into the UAE Ecosystem – Ep.2, Season 3

    Julien is the Senior Partner at Oraseya Capital, where he leads the firm’s investment strategy, oversees deal sourcing and execution, and actively manages a diverse portfolio of early-stage startups. Oraseya Capital invests from pre-Seed to Series B stages, fostering innovation and scaling transformative businesses across key sectors. Julien is also a member of the investment committee. In 2021, Julien launched SANDBOX, Oraseya’s program for investing in and mentoring pre-Seed/Seed stage startups. The program has supported hundreds of founders, with 16 investments made in 2024 alone. Julien plays a pivotal role in mentoring founders, building long-term partnerships, and guiding portfolio companies toward sustainable growth and success. With a presence in the UAE’s startup ecosystem since 2012, Julien brings extensive experience as both a founder and investor. Prior to joining Oraseya Capital, he was Principal and Portfolio Manager at Dtec Ventures, where he led investments across various industries and helped drive the growth of the regional entrepreneurial landscape. He began his career as an Investment Banker with Société Générale CIB in Italy, working on multi-billion-dollar corporate finance transactions. After moving to Dubai, he launched his first startup—an online artist agency representing over 1,000 talents across the region—which he successfully exited. He subsequently contributed to several ventures as a co-founder, advisor, and product director. —----------------------------------------------------------- The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch: LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast Twitter: @ArabiaStartups Facebook: @startupsarabia Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast —--- Resources—--------: Julien’s LinkedIn account: @Julien Plouzeau Oraseya Capital’s Website: https://oraseyacapital.com/ —----------------------------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Introduction to Julien Plouzeau and the Podcast 02:34 Julien's Move to Dubai and Early Ventures 04:50 The Challenges and Rewards of Building Startups 08:26 Investment Banking vs. Venture Capital 12:17 The Role and Mission of Oraseya Capital 17:16 Oraseya Capital's Investment Strategy and Achievements 22:15 Multi-Stage Investing: Strategies and Approaches 37:28 Path to Profitability and Scaling 38:37 Lessons from Regional Trailblazers 43:16 Success Strategies for Startups 48:26 Investment Stories: Podeo and Ogram 54:50 Navigating the Investment Landscape 01:06:58 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    1h 13m
  8. Waleed Alballaa, Unveiling the Global Potential and Deep Tech Innovations Emerging from the MENA Region – Ep.1, Season 3

    04/05/2025

    Waleed Alballaa, Unveiling the Global Potential and Deep Tech Innovations Emerging from the MENA Region – Ep.1, Season 3

    Waleed A. Alballaa is a technologist-turned-investor with a proven track record across global and MENA markets, spanning semiconductors, wireless, mobility, and eGovernment. As a Founding General Partner at Sukna Ventures, he backs early-stage, tech-driven startups across the region. Prior to Sukna, Waleed co-founded STV, one of the MENA region’s largest VC funds, and led pivotal initiatives at Elm—including launching the firm’s first business sector and founding its corporate venture arm. Waleed’s earlier career includes high-tech development roles at Cadence Design, Conexant, Skyworks Solutions, and Microsoft in the U.S. He holds a Master’s in Computer Science from Oregon Health & Science University and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from King Saud University. Beyond investing, Waleed serves on multiple boards and actively mentors founders. He also co-founded the Saudi Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and the Business Analysis Association Group, where he currently serves as Vice Chairman. A committed technology optimist, Waleed is passionate about fueling innovation and strengthening the startup ecosystem across the MENA region. —----------------------------------------------------------- The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch: LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast Twitter: @ArabiaStartups Facebook: @startupsarabia Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast —--- Resources—--------: Waleed’s LinkedIn account: @Waleed Alballaa Sukna Ventures’ Website: https://suknaventures.com/ —----------------------------------------------------------- SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Introduction to Waleed Alballaa and the Podcast 02:50 Waleed's Journey: From the US to Saudi Arabia 08:16 Founding STV and the Corporate VC Experience 14:10 The Birth of Sukna Ventures 20:03 Focus on Early-Stage Tech and Disruptive Technologies 20:35 Exploring Space Tech and AI Innovations 29:25 The Future of the Saudi Startup Ecosystem 34:56 Global Ambitions and Product Development 37:29 The Evolving Software Market and VC Landscape 41:15 Exploring Future Computing Technologies 41:37 The Role of Venture Capital in Emerging Tech 42:26 Challenges in Predicting the Future of Tech 43:17 The Importance of Understanding the Present Market 44:06 Finding Early Seeds of Innovation 46:19 Global Investment Strategies 48:43 A Contrarian Bet on Hardware 51:51 The Evolution of LPs in Venture Capital 54:50 The Role of Endowments and Foundations 01:00:46 Effective Board Governance 01:07:06 Lessons from Missed Investment Opportunities 01:15:12 The Impact of Market Externalities on Startups 01:16:11 The Importance of Early Relationships with Founders 01:16:53 Challenges in Market Sizing and Portfolio Strategy 01:20:04 Current Trends in Saudi's Investment Landscape 01:22:23 The Role of Mergers and Acquisitions in Growth 01:26:37 Emerging Vertical Trends in the Region 01:30:17 The Semiconductor Industry's Potential in Saudi 01:34:43 Investment Decision-Making and Ecosystem Improvements 01:39:41 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

    1h 46m
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About

The Arab startups scene is one of the hottest globally. The Startups Arabia podcast is the place to learn all about it. With a 420 million strong population that is young and tech-savvy, the Arab world is proving to be a great market to create a startup. This podcast interviews the best founders, investors and operators of the region. Listening to deep conversations with them, you will learn deep insights about the ecosystem. You will also be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Information

  • Creator
    Ali Zewail
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Startups Arabia