Startup Rising

The Entrepreneurial Revolution Remaking the Middle East

By: Christopher M. Schroeder

Narrated by: Christopher M. Schroeder

Despite the world's elation at the Arab Spring, shockingly little has changed politically in the Middle East; even frontliners Egypt and Tunisia continue to suffer repression, fixed elections, and bombings, while Syria descends into civil war. But in the midst of it all, a quieter revolution has begun to emerge, one that might ultimately do more to change the face of the region: Entrepreneurship.

As a seasoned angel investor in emerging markets, Christopher M. Schroeder was curious but skeptical about the future of investing in the Arab world. Travelling to Dubai, Cairo, Amman, Beirut, Istanbul, and even Damascus, he saw thousands of talented, successful, and intrepid entrepreneurs, all willing to face cultural, legal, and societal impediments inherent to their worlds. Equally important, he saw major private equity firms, venture capitalists, and tech companies like Google, Intel, Cisco, Yahoo, LinkedIn, and PayPal making significant bets, despite the uncertainty in the region. Here, he marries his own observations with the predictions of these tech giants to offer a surprising and timely look at the second stealth revolution in the Middle East - one that promises to reinvent it as a center of innovation and progress.

©2013 Christopher M. Schroeder (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"his (Christopher M. Schroeder) firsthand knowledge of business development in the Arab world and his belief that this the next global trend make him persuasive….His consistency in tone, pitch, and speed helps the listener process the intricate details he recounts about one start-up after another. Schroeder enunciates well and is fluid with the names of many Arab companies that may be unfamiliar to the listener." ( AudioFile)

Inspiration

If you are an entrepreneur, thinking of becoming an entrepreneur, or want to invest in an entrepreneur anywhere in the world please read this first. The passion and drive shown by the startup profiled here will both inspire you and help shape your understanding of what it really means to be a startup.

Inspiring stories

Balanced view to the region and quite motivating to the young entrepreneurs. A must listen to/ read by the young generation and policy makers. Inspiring.

Interesting account of a different region

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are interested in knowing what is happening in the middle east regarding Internet start-ups and entrepreneurship spirit then this is definitely the book to bring you up to speed with names and examples.