Riyada: Business, Tech, and Innovation in MENA

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Riyada: Business, Tech, and Innovation in MENA

On the Riyada podcast, hosts Merissa Khurma and Rajae Sahouri speak with new and seasoned entrepreneurs from the Middle East and North Africa region to share their successes, challenges, and lessons learned, as well as special appearances by investors, educators, and government officials. The Riyada podcast serves as a bridge between Washington D.C. policymakers and diaspora networks in the U.S. and entrepreneurs based in the region to enhance understanding of the entrepreneurship scene in MENA and encourage collaboration with American companies and innovators.

  1. 03/20/2023

    Riyada Podcast Closes Out Season 1 at the U.S. Embassy in Jordan

    In this 50th episode of the Riyada podcast, host Merissa Khurma records from the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan with Deputy Chief of Mission Rohit Nepal and MEP Chair Ambassador Jim Jeffrey. They discuss the importance of supporting entrepreneurship in Jordan and the MENA region, in addition to how the U.S. government can work with the Jordanian government and region officials to propel the startup scene through funding, economic exchanges, trade, and sharing the American experience.

    22 min

  2. 10/24/2022

    Palestinian Film Maker and Poet Injects Authenticity and Empowerment into the Industry

    This month, the Riyada podcast featured the talented men and women advancing MENA’s film scene to better understand how creators in the region fare against the global media industry. To conclude, co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with film director, writer, and poet Hind Shoufani. Hind’s life experiences in Damascus, Amman, Beirut, Dubai, and NYC have shaped her values, stories, and career trajectory, while celebrating her Palestinian identity.

    48 min

  3. 10/14/2022

    USAID’s Jordan Mission Director on Youth and Women Entrepreneurship

    Co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Sherry Carlin, who serves as Mission Director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Jordan. MD Carlin discussed USAID’s extensive programs targeting youth economic empowerment, breaking down barriers to women’s employment, and addressing issues related to climate change and water scarcity, among other efforts.

    27 min

  4. 10/07/2022

    Highlighting Narratives from the Region and by the Region through Film

    Ali Jaafar, head of the film division at MBC Studios, produced numerous films, including The Swimmers (2022), King of Thieves (2018), and The Idol (2015). Ali discussed his transition from journalism to production and desire to elevate diverse narratives from the Arab world to regional and global audiences.

    36 min

  5. 09/23/2022

    الفيلم الوثائقي و قضايا المجتمع مع المخرجة الأردنية وداد شفاقج

    في هذه الحلقة نواصل تركيزنا على صناعة الأفلام و الفنون في منطقة الشرق الأوسط مع مخرجة أفلام أردنية وداد شافقج. ركزت أعمالها على قضايا المرأة و حقوق الطفل و غيرها من القضايا الإجتماعية. تشمل اعتمدتها الإخراجية الفيلم الوثائقي القصير هوية 000 و فيلم الراكب الأخير الذي كشف حقيقة اللاجئين السوريين الذين فروا من مخيم الزعتري في شمال الأردن. استمعوا لهذا النقاش الشيق مع وداد هنا.

    39 min

  6. 09/07/2022

    Award-Winning Film Director from Jordan Reflects on the Importance of Film

    Co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa spoke with Amin Matalqa, a pioneering filmmaker from Jordan. Amin’s first film, Captain Abu Raed (2008), won the Sundance World Cinema Audience Award and was the first Oscar submission from Jordan. He’s gone on to direct other films and TV shows, including Disney’s soccer drama The United (2012) and Jinn (2019), Netflix’s first Arabic show.

    37 min

  7. 08/31/2022

    At the Intersection of Beauty and the Gig Economy in Jordan

    Romouz Sadeq joined the Riyada podcast to discuss her transition from the corporate to startup world in Jordan. Romouz is the Founder & CEO of Mrayti – or ‘My Mirror’ – the Arab world’s first specialized mobile beauty salon. Mrayti delivers beauty services and products to customers’ homes, offices, and gatherings at any time and at any place.

    27 min

  8. 08/31/2022

    On Youth in Jordan from UNICEF's Youth Head

    Co-hosts Merissa Khurma and Imad Shawa sat down with UNICEF’s youth expert at Jordan’s country office, Giorgia Varisco, to learn more about what she sees as the most pressing challenges and promising solutions facing youth. Giorgia detailed the organization’s work to address Jordan’s high youth unemployment - particularly among women - with an emphasis on preparing young people for the world of work.

    38 min
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About

On the Riyada podcast, hosts Merissa Khurma and Rajae Sahouri speak with new and seasoned entrepreneurs from the Middle East and North Africa region to share their successes, challenges, and lessons learned, as well as special appearances by investors, educators, and government officials. The Riyada podcast serves as a bridge between Washington D.C. policymakers and diaspora networks in the U.S. and entrepreneurs based in the region to enhance understanding of the entrepreneurship scene in MENA and encourage collaboration with American companies and innovators.

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