VC React Podcast

VC React Podcast (E27): Good vs. Great, EdTech Wave In MENA, Revenue Based Financing, Cars, & Cake! --- A Big Thank You to Our Amazing Guests: 1. Hasan Haider, Founder and Managing Partner @ Plus VC (+VC) - Author of: "Good vs. Great" Article: https://lnkd.in/dsMpsCBP 2. Mohamad Khawaja, Founding Partner @ Fikr Ventures 3. Sameer Sortur, Founding Partner @ SquareCircle Global Ventures --- In Today's Episode: - Saudi EdTech Startup ULA | Ultimate Learning Academy Co. Raises $28 Million in Series B Funding Led by Rua Growth Fund Jordan Capital & Investment Fund | Foursan Group Alaa Jarrar ???? ???? - Fintech Flow48 secures $69M Series A to expand into Saudi Arabia Idriss Al Rifai - UK’s Pinewood.AI acquires Dubai-based automotive SaaS Seez for $46.2 million Tarek Kabrit | Andrew Kabrit - Lola secures $1.3 million pre-seed to accelerate GCC expansion plans Othman Janahi --- 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/ --- VC React Podcast Available on: Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g69ebjKU Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gUZessSC Apple: https://lnkd.in/ghJXw-RC Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gyKKvvGy --- #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 --- https://lnkd.in/gdE9xVUv

VC React Podcast (E26): Five Acquisitions, Startups Investing In Startups, Qatar and Global VCs! A Big Thank You to Our Amazing Guests: 1. Dana Qtaishat, Investment Manager @ AB Ventures LP 2. Feras Al Safwan, Investment Manager @ Wa'ed Ventures, and Host of "??????? ?? ???????" https://lnkd.in/dCm_dQ8p --- In Today's Episode: (A). Acquisition News: - Salla E-Commerce Platform acquires Sweply - ??????, rebrands it as “Salla Ads”. - Saudi’s Foodics’s has fully acquired UK-based Solo | ???? CEO announced a $100 million fund for acquisitions in fintech, AI, and transformative tech over the next three years. - Saudi’s Mush Social has acquired Pubbles, a Saudi social media app. - T2 has acquired a majority stake in MOOLA, a specialised platform that streamlines and automates financial processes and expense management. - UAE-based online classifieds platform dubizzle Group has acquired the Egyptian online car marketplace, Hatla2ee - ??????, in an undisclosed deal value. (B). Venture Capital News: - Builders VC expands into Middle East with new Doha office and a strategic partnership with QIA --- 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/ --- VC React Podcast Available on: Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g69ebjKU Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gUZessSC Apple: https://lnkd.in/ghJXw-RC Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gyKKvvGy --- #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 --- https://lnkd.in/g8cDir5d

VC React Podcast (E25): Six new funds! The Rise of ConstructTech, Startups Too Large For Acquisition A Big Thank You to Our Amazing Guests: 1. Abe Seksek, an angel investor and host of the ABEZ Show https://www.abezshow.com/ 2. Tara Arnaout, Principal @ BY Venture Partners 3. Walied Albasheer, Managing Partner @ Intuitio Ventures --- In this episode we talked about: - Saudi-based BNPL Tabby has raised $160 million in a Series E round at a $3.3 billion valuation, becoming MENA’s most valuable fintech company. Blue Pool Capital | Hassana Investment Company - Buildnow Secures $10M Funding, Launches $80M Infrastructure Fund with Joa Capital - BRKZ, a Riyadh-based construction tech startup founded by Ibrahim Manna, has secured $9 million ($8 million in equity and $1 million in debt), bringing its total Series A funding to $17 million as investors double down. BECO Capital, Wa'ed Ventures, 9900 Capital, Better Tomorrow Ventures, RZM Investment, Class 5 Global, along with $1 million in venture debt from Capifly . - Suhail Ventures Launches $50 Million Investment Fund for Startups | Ayat Al-Sabbagh As its first investment, Suhail Ventures participated in a SAR 42 million ($11m) Series A round for Saudi logistics startup Torod | ????, alongside Wa'ed Ventures , Elm Company, Impact46, HALA Ventures. - Sharaka Financial announced the launch of its USD 30 million investment fund to support startups in the MENA region | Faris AlRashed Alhumaid - Other Fund Announcements: Ula Capital, a data-driven venture capital firm, launched a USD 75 million fund. HGM launched a USD 300 million investment fund specializing in gaming. The National Technology Development Program (NTDP) launched accelerators and funds worth USD 150 million. Orbit Startups also announced the launch of a USD 60 million accelerator in collaboration with Sanabil Investments, aiming to invest in early stage tech startups. --- 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/ --- VC React Podcast Available on: Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g69ebjKU Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gUZessSC Apple: https://lnkd.in/ghJXw-RC Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gyKKvvGy --- #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 --- https://lnkd.in/gexXnXrD

VC React Podcast (E24): Lendo's $690M Facility Led by J.P. Morgan, & qeen.ai’s $10M Seed round A Big Thank You to Our Incredible Guests: 1. Asjid Hayat, ACA MCSI, Venture Partner Palm Ventures 2. Dina Toukan, MSc, Investment Manager ISSFJO - Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund 3. Marwan Mohammad, Angel Investor, and Venture Builder Gia --- In this episode we talked about: - Lendo | ????? Secures $690 Million Facility Led by J.P. Morgan to Boost SME Financing in Saudi Arabia Osama AlRaee | Mohamed Jawabri - qeen.ai’s $10 million Seed round Prosus Ventures | Wamda Capital | 10x Founders | Dara Holdings Dina Alsamhan | Ahmad Khwileh | Morteza Ibrahimi General conversations included: - An inside look at how a major MENA fund of funds operates: investment strategy, ticket sizes, and approach to ecosystem building through both VC fund investments and direct startup funding - Discussion on MENA fintech's evolution: how traditional banks and fintech startups are navigating between competition and collaboration, plus insights on debt financing vs equity - Deep dive into startup transparency: exploring why most startups and VCs are cautious about sharing performance metrics, and what might change in the future - The "local vs remote" debate: perspectives on whether startups need physical presence in MENA to succeed, or if understanding the market is enough - Future of AI in MENA: examining competitive advantages for regional AI startups when competing against global players, and how business model innovation might matter more than technical advantages --- VC React Podcast: Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. Stay tuned for: expert analysis, independent opinions, and maybe some heated conversations! 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/ --- VC React Podcast Available on: Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g69ebjKU Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gUZessSC Apple: https://lnkd.in/ghJXw-RC Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gyKKvvGy --- #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 --- https://lnkd.in/g-4unFFA

VC React Podcast (E23): DeepSeek Moment! New Growth Funds In MENA, New Sector Focus For MENA VCs! A Big Thank You to Our Incredible Guests: 1. Ahmed Al-Thukair, GP @ Stealth mode Deeptech Saudi fund 2. Ali Zewail, Venture Partner Endure Capital 3. Hadi Halabi, Co-Founder | CEO Stryde - LinkedIn Profile: https://lnkd.in/gTegBFfb - Company Website: https://gostryde.com/ --- In this episode we talked about: - 500 Global launches new early growth-stage MENA fund Amjad Ahmad | Courtney Powell. Jada Fund of Funds, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) , and SVC - BioSapien extends its pre-Series A round to $7 million Golden Gate Ventures | Khatija A. - Silkhaus Expands to Saudi Arabia after New Investment Round Nuwa Capital | Oraseya Capital | Aahan Bhojani. - DeepSeek AI gets Silicon Valley talking OpenAI --- VC React Podcast: Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. Stay tuned for: expert analysis, independent opinions, and maybe some heated conversations! 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/ --- VC React Podcast Available on: Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g69ebjKU Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gUZessSC Apple: https://lnkd.in/ghJXw-RC Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gyKKvvGy --- #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 --- https://lnkd.in/gHyRZuts

VC React Podcast (E22): New Funding Tends for 2025 In MENA's PropTech, FinTech, AgriTech & AI AdTech In this episode, we discussed new big funding rounds for Proptech, Fintech, Agritech, and of course, AI AdTech startups! A Big Thank You to Our Incredible Guests: 1. Andrea Azzolari, Senior Associate Plug and Play Tech Center - Saudi 2. Ayat Al-Sabbagh, Investment Principal Suhail Ventures 3. Julien Plouzeau, Senior Partner Oraseya Capital --- In this episode we talked about: - Saudi rent now, pay later firm Rize | ???? closes $35m in equity and debt funding | Mohammed Alfraihi | Ibrahim Balilah - MoneyHash, which provides single access to payment services in MENA, banks $5.2M | Nader Abdelrazik | Mustafa Eid - Saudi agritech Arable closes $2.55 million Seed round | Christina Khalife | Lawrence Ong - Halo AI closes $6 million Seed led by RAED Ventures, Shorooq | Vito Strokov | Rami Saad | Alex Gadalin --- Featured Startups Raising Capital: - Starlyst | Led by Ayeshmantha Jayasinghe - Hamsa | Led by Awnee Banna --- VC React Podcast: Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. Stay tuned for: expert analysis, independent opinions, and maybe some heated conversations! 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/ --- VC React Podcast Available on: Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g69ebjKU Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gUZessSC Apple: https://lnkd.in/ghJXw-RC Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gyKKvvGy --- #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 --- https://lnkd.in/gyQp2rHp

VC React Podcast (E21): 2 Tech IPOs, 3 Big Rounds, 9 New VC Funds, 2024 VC Activity Report, & More! This is a special episode, it’s the first one after our new year’s break.?We have the news round up, Magnitt’s 2024 VC activity report, and VC predictions for 2025. A Big Thank You to Our Incredible Guests: - Ian Arden, Co-founder and GP Mempool Ventures - Latifa B., Founding Principal? Sharaka Financial - Philip Bahoshy, Founder & CEO MAGNiTT Thanks to our sponsors: - HR Clinic - menagrid.co | ???????? | Samir Timezgida --- We discussed: Public Markets: ?? Talabat went public on DFM, raising AED 7.5B in the largest global tech IPO of 2024. ?? NICE ONE | ???? ?? (KSA) surged 30% on Tadawul debut; founders retained 74% ownership. Funding: ?? Calo Inc. raised $25M (Series B), targeting GCC expansion & potential IPO by 2027. ?? CredibleX secured $55M to boost SME lending in the UAE. ?? Zension Technologies Inc. raised $30M (Series A) for warranty & buyback services in KSA. Reports: MAGNiTT's 2024 VC Activity Report LPs: ???????? SVC backed major funds, including Aliph Capital Fund I ($250M), Jadwa Investment’s GCC Private Equity Fund I?($400M), Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) Fund IV ($150M), RAED Ventures Fund III ($159M), & Global Ventures Fund III ($150M). New Launches: ???? Iliad Partners launched a $50M fund for B2B fintech & proptech. ???? Sigma Capital Fund I ($100M) targets Web3 innovation globally. ???????? 100Unicorns launched a $200M fund to drive India-UAE startup growth. ?? Sanabil Accelerator launched to support early-stage startups with $100K funding. --- We also featured the following startups on: "Who's Raising" & "Who's Hiring": - Hamsa | Awnee Banna - Musajjel ????? | Mohammad Al Amoush - Twelled | Hassan Al-Zoubi - Entrepreneurship Weekly | Mohamed Rady - Hangar | Laith S. Obeidat - Crescita | Corbin Wheate - EmFlex | Allan Abbas --- VC React Podcast: Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. Stay tuned for: expert analysis, independent opinions, and maybe some heated conversations! 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/ --- VC React Podcast Available on: Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g69ebjKU Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gUZessSC Apple: https://lnkd.in/ghJXw-RC Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gyKKvvGy --- #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 --- https://lnkd.in/gdPFkNcc

?? ?????????????? ?????? ????????????????! Are you ?????????????? ?????????? or ????????????? Let us feature you on the VC React Podcast in our new segments (???????????????????? ????????): ?? ??????’?? ??????????????: Spotlighting startups actively raising capital. ?? ??????’?? ????????????: Sharing exciting job opportunities from startups and VCs. Our mission is to contribute to a more vibrant, connected, and supportive MENA startup ecosystem. With VCs as guests and LPs, VCs, angel investors, and founders as viewers, this is your chance to connect with the right audience. ??? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????????????? ???? ?? ?????????? ????????, ?????????? ???????????? ??????????. We will record the 21st Episode this Thursday morning (Jan 16). Don't wait, DM me your details now. #startups #VCReactPodcast #fundraising #hiring #VC #MENA

??? ???? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????? ?? As we wrap up the year, we want to take a moment to thank YOU—our subscribers, guests, and loyal viewers—for making this journey so incredible. Over the past 5 months, we’ve produced 20 amazing weekly episodes, hosted over 45 MENA and Global VCs, and reached an incredible milestone of 250,000 views ??. None of this would have been possible without your support, engagement, and enthusiasm! ?? ?? ???????? ???????? ???? ????????: This year, we tackled weekly news in venture capital, startups, and tech, creating a space for insightful conversations with some of the brightest minds in the industry. To all our guests: thank you for sharing your perspectives and experiences. To our viewers and subscribers: thank you for watching, subscribing, and spreading the word. ???????????????? ?????????????? ?????? ????????: We’re coming back in January with a fresh structure for our 1-hour show, designed to bring even more value to the VC and startup community. ????????’?? ???????? ?????? ?????? ????????????: ??. ?????????? (??-?? ??????): A quick kickoff to set the tone for the episode. ??. ??????????????????????????/?????? (??-?? ??????): Updates, special shoutouts, and sponsor highlights. ??. ???????????????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ???????? (????-???? ??????): Deep dives into the latest VC and startup news with insightful reactions from our guests, covering regional as well as global news now.? ??. ??????’?? ?????????????? (?? ??????): Highlighting startups currently raising funds. ??. ??????’?? ???????????? (?? ??????): Sharing open opportunities from startups and VCs across MENA and beyond. ???? ???????? ???????????????????? ?????? ????????????: Every week, we feature three ??????, ?????????? ??????????????????, & ?????? from?around the globe to react to the?news of the week. If you’d like to join us as a guest in 2025, we’d love to hear from you! ?????????????? ?????? ????????????????: Are you raising funds? Or hiring? Let us share your updates on the show—for free! This is your chance to connect directly with the MENA’s VC and startup community. Let’s make this ecosystem even more interactive and collaborative. ???????? ?????????????????? with the VC React Podcast: Subscribe, Watch or Listen on: - Youtube: https://lnkd.in/gswEc6DJ - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gERdVmEc - Apple: https://lnkd.in/gFT3FsCB - Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gkfNgF5K Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions to enhance the format or content. Thank you for an incredible 2024! We can’t wait to bring you more insights, conversations, and connections in the year ahead. Wishing you a joyful holiday season. Jamie Lane and Ahmad Takatkah (???? ??????) ----

VC React Podcast (E20): 2025 Predictions, Small Acquisitions, VC Transparency, $81.5m Gaming Fund It’s our last episode of the year, so we’re ending the year with exciting stories, and bold predictions for 2025 with: 1. Aboudi Al-Qattan, Principal @ DASH Ventures 2. Jamil Shinawi, Founding Partner @ Actual VC We discussed: - eyewa now has 150 stores selling eyeglasses in the Mideast, and just raised $100M to add 100 more General Atlantic | Anass B. | Mehdi Oudghiri | Abdullah AlRugaib - Japan’s giftee acquires 91% stake in Dubai’s YOUGotaGift, and How Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)was transparent on its returns. - Saudi’s Merak Capital launches $81.5m gaming fund - Jada Fund of Funds Backs SEEDRA Ventures Fund II - ISSFJO - Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund Fund (ISSF) Invests $5 M in Saqr Fund II of Vision Ventures (VV) - Watercycle Technologies enters MENA after securing $5.6 million Series A - Locad Targets The Middle East After $9 Million Fund Raise We also included our predictions for the VC scene in MENA in 2025 ?? --- VC React Podcast: Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. Stay tuned for: expert analysis, independent opinions, and maybe some heated conversations! 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/ --- VC React Podcast Available on: Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g69ebjKU Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gUZessSC Apple: https://lnkd.in/ghJXw-RC Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gyKKvvGy --- #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 --- https://lnkd.in/gQ-n-3CX