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! Host: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Co-Host: Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fwdstart.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠

--- Available on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Amazon: VC React Podcast⁠⁠

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Guests:

1. Hasan Haider, Founder and Managing Partner @ Plus VC - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasanhaider/ - VC Firm Website: https://plus.vc/ 2. Jessica Al Hussaini, VC Senior Associate @ Globivest - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-al-hussaini-5a491b54/ - VC Firm Website: https://www.globivest.com/

#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatechange #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #DeFi

— Super Returns VIP Code For 10% Discount: FKR3559FWDS Book your ticket here: https://tinyurl.com/khf9ms7u SVVI Calendar: https://www.svvi.co/ VC Evolve Book On Amazon: 𝗲𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFLJF1PR 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFLY2WHL 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFLYJBRQ ---

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart. In Today's Episode: - Paymob secures $22m extension to Series B funding, raises $72m in total Source: Gulf Business Summary: Egypt-based fintech Paymob has raised a $22 million Series B extension round, bringing the company’s total Series B funding to $72 million. The funding was led by EBRD Venture Capital with participation from Endeavor Catalyst, along with existing investors, including PayPal Ventures, BII, FMO, A15, Nclude and Helios Digital Ventures. - UAE-Based Fintech Platform FlapKap Raises $34M In Pre-Series A Funding Round Source: Forbes Middle East Summary: UAE-based fintech FlapKap has raised $34 million in a pre-Series A funding round that included both debt and equity financing. The round is led by BECO Capital and saw significant new investment from Pact VC, with follow-on contributions from A15, Nclude, QED Investors, and debt financing from Channel Capital. - Revolut Looks to Expand Digital Banking License Effort to Middle East Source: Pymnts Summary: Revolut is reportedly planning to expand into the GCC, applying to become an electronic-money institution and offer remittances in the UAE while exploring opportunities in Saudi Arabia. - Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala takes stake in Revolut Source: Financial Times Summary: Abu Dhabi's Mubadala has invested in Revolut for the first time, joining a share sale that valued the fintech at $45 billion. The sale, held in August, saw employees sell $500 million worth of shares. Mubadala was among other investors like Coatue, D1 Capital Partners, and Tiger Global. - Seez Secures USD 4.2M to Accelerate US Expansion Plan Source: Waya Media Summary: Seez, a UAE-based automotive SaaS startup, has raised $4.2 million from several international investors. Founded in 2015 by Tarek Kabrit and Andrew Kabrit, Seez is an automotive tech company that provides car dealerships and OEMs with software solutions to improve their customer experience and increase sales. After expanding into markets such as the UK, Australia, Denmark, South Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, and GCC countries. --- (أحمد طقاطقه) ---

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! Host: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠ Co-Host: Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠https://www.fwdstart.me/⁠⁠⁠

--- Available on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠Amazon: VC React Podcast⁠

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Guests:

1. Hasan Haider, Founder and Managing Partner @ Plus VC - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasanhaider/ - VC Firm Website: https://plus.vc/ 2. Karim Samakie, Advisor @ Fintech Saudi - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karimsamakie/ - VC Firm Website: https://fintechsaudi.com/ 3. Kevin Holliday, Managing Director @ C3 - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-holliday-5176b4130/ - VC Firm Website: https://wegrowwithc3.com/

#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatechange #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #DeFi

— Super Returns VIP Code For 10% Discount: FKR3559FWDS Book your ticket here: https://tinyurl.com/khf9ms7u SVVI Calendar: https://www.svvi.co/ VC Evolve Book On Amazon: 𝗲𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFLJF1PR 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFLY2WHL 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFLYJBRQ ---

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart. In Today's Episode:

- Tabby to acquire Saudi digital wallet Tweeq in move to expand services beyond BNPL Source: Arabian Business Summary: Saudi Arabia-based fintech Tabby has announced finalising an acquisition deal of Tweeq, a Saudi-based digital wallet licensed by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Founded in 2019 in the UAE by Hosam Arab, Tabby is a buy now pay later (BNPL) fintech with over $6 billion in annualised transaction volume. Meanwhile, Tweeq, founded in 2020 by Saeed Albuhairi and Abdulaziz Almalki, offers a spending account that allows customers to spend, send, and manage their money.

- Tarabut acquires UK payments platform Vyne Source: Zawya Summary: UAE-based open banking platform Tarabut has acquired the London-based fintech Vyne. This acquisition bolsters Tarabut’s ability to deliver faster, more accessible, and more interconnected financial services, both across the region and globally. Founded in Bahrain in 2019 by Abdulla Almoayed, Tarabut connects a regional network of banks and fintechs via a universal application programming interface (API). Vyne, founded in 2019, is a real-time account-to-account (A2A) payments platform for online businesses. - UAE’s Ziina Raises $22M In Series A Funding To Shift From Payments To Full Financial Services Source: Forbes Middle East Summary: UAE-based fintech Ziina has raised $22 million in a Series A funding round, led by US-based Altos Ventures, along with other investors including Fintech Collective, Avenir Growth, Activant Capital, Y Combinator, FJ Labs, MEVP, and Jabbar Internet Group. - Saudi fintech Malaa secures $17.3 million Series A Source: Wamda Summary: Saudi Arabia-based fintech Malaa has closed a Series A funding round at $17.3 million, led by SNB Capital, with participation from Derayah Financial, Khwarizmi Ventures, Impact46, and WKN. Founded in 2021 by Ali Aloraini and Faisal Alqarni, Malaa is a wealth management tool that empowers individuals and organizations for better financial decisions by offering data-driven financial products and services. --- (أحمد طقاطقه) ---

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! Host: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠ Co-Host: Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠https://www.fwdstart.me/⁠⁠⁠

--- Available on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Amazon: VC React Podcast⁠

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Guests: 1. Saud Alsahhaf, Senior Associate @ Impact46 - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saudalsahhaf/ - VC Firm Website: https://impact46.sa/ 2. Zeina Mandour, Venture Investment Manager @ Dar Ventures - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeina-mandour-38541260/ - VC Firm Website: https://dar.com/ #startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatechange #edtech #accelerator #cvc --- News of the week brought to you by FWDstart. In Today's Episode: - NVIDIA Purchases AI Platform Brev.dev from Nama Ventures’ Portfolio Source: Waya Media Summary: Nama Ventures announces NVIDIA’s acquisition of Brev.dev, enhancing access to AI chipsets for startups. Brev.dev’s AI and ML platform, co-founded by Nader Khalil and Alec Fong, leverages NVIDIA GPUs to streamline AI model development on the cloud. Mohamed Alzubi, Founder and Managing Director at Nama Ventures, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, commending Brev.dev for its exceptional team and innovative technology. Alzubi emphasized that NVIDIA’s recognition of Brev.dev’s potential is a significant milestone. - Lucky ONE Raises $3 Million in Convertible Note, Aiming for Profitability by Q1 2025 Source: EntArabi Summary: Lucky ONE, a consumer credit fintech company, has raised $3 million in convertible note funding, with participation from current investors such as Lorax Capital Partners, KEM, and DisrupTech Ventures. Founded in 2018 by Momtaz Moussa, Ayman Eissaoui, and Marwan Kanawy, Lucky ONE offers financial flexibility and purchasing power through a robust lending system, discounts, and cashback.The company will use the new funding to expand its credit platform services and extend its reach into regional markets over the next two years. - Oraseya Capital invests in seven startups through SANDBOX accelerator Source: Government of Dubai Media Office Summary: UAE-based SANDBOX, the accelerator programme backed by Oraseya Capital, has celebrated the graduation of seven startups as part of its fourth cohort. SANDBOX is a five-month accelerator programme, where participating startups benefitted from more than 50 hours of workshops that include access to an integrated package of financial analytics, marketing strategies and legal compliance programmes. Seven startups have made it to the finals, including Qureos, Herogo, Lisan, Sthrive, Zoya, JobEscape, and Opteam. Each startup received an investment of $150,000.

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(أحمد طقاطقه)

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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! Host: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠ Co-Host: Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠https://www.fwdstart.me/⁠⁠⁠

--- Available on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Amazon: VC React Podcast⁠

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Guests: 1. Dr. Adil Alzarooni, CEO @ Al Zarooni Emirates Investments - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilalzarooni/ - VC Firm Website: http://www.zeinvestments.com/ 2. Faisal Hakki, Managing Director @ Arab Bank Ventures - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisal-hakki/ - VC Firm Website: http://www.abventures.vc/ 3. Mohammed Al Rasbi, Founder & GP @ R&D Capital - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammed-alrasbi/ - VC Firm Website: http://rd.co.om/ #startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatechange #edtech --- News of the week brought to you by FWDstart. In Today's Episode: - Intelmatix raises $20M Series A to enable MENA businesses to tap AI for decision-making Source: Techcrunch Summary: Saudi Arabia-based deeptech AI company Intelmatix has closed a $20 million Series A funding round, led by Shorooq Partners and joined by Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC), Saudi Technology Ventures (STV), Olayan Financing Company, Sultan Holdings, Zain Ventures, and Rua Growth Fund. Founded in 2021 by a group of MIT graduates led by Anas Alfaris, Almaha Almalki and Ahmad Alabdulkareem, Intelmatix provides both public and private sectors with accessible AI and advanced analytics that delivers technologies to improve operations, productivity, growth, and sustainability. In August 2021, Intelmatix raised an undisclosed investment round, led by STV and Sultan Holdings. - Educatly Secures $2.5 M Funding to Enhance AI-Powered Education Solutions in MEA Region Source: Edge Summary: Egypt-based edtech Educatly has secured a new funding round of $2.5 million led by TLcom Capital and Plus VC. The round also saw participation from Egypt Venture (Egypt) and the HBAN syndicate (Ireland). Founded in 2020 by Mohamed ElSonbaty, Abdelrahman Ayman and Joan Manuel, Educatly democratises access to higher education opportunities. The funding will solidify Educatly presence in the Middle East and Africa, including key markets such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ireland. In 2021, Educatly raised a $1 million pre-Seed round from Falak Startups, Enterprise Island along with a group of angel investors. ---

(أحمد طقاطقه)

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