VC React Podcast

By: Ahmad Takatkah (VCpreneur)
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • 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/ #startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #founders #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #web3
    Ahmad Takatkah (VCpreneur)
    Show More Show Less
Economics Personal Finance
Show More Show Less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • VC React Podcast (E20): 2025 Predictions, Small Acquisitions, VC Transparency, $81.5m Gaming Fund

    VC React Podcast (E20): 2025 Predictions, Small Acquisitions, VC Transparency, $81.5m Gaming Fund
    Nov 28 2024
    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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Available on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Guests: 1. Aboudi Al-Qattan, Principal @ DASH Ventures - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aboudi-al-qattan-8658abb3/ - VC Firm Website: https://www.dashventures.com/ 2. Jamil Shinawi, Founding Partner @ Actual VC - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamilshinawi/ - VC Firm Website: https://www.actual.vc/ --- #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 --- News of the week brought to you by FWDstart. In Today's Episode: - Eyewa now has 150 stores selling eyeglasses in the Mideast, and just raised $100M to add 100 more Summary: Eyewa has raised $100 million Series C round. The round, led by global growth investor General Atlantic, brings Eyewa’s total funding to $130 million since its 2017 launch. - Japan’s giftee acquires 91% stake in Dubai’s YOUGotaGift Summary: YOUGotaGift, a leader in digital gifting, has sold 91% of its shares to Japanese company giftee in a $26.6 million deal. This acquisition will enable giftee to expand in the GCC’s rapidly growing prepaid card market, projected to reach $20 billion by 2028. The existing management team will remain to ensure continuity and growth as the company enters this new phase. This is MEVP’s second exit in 2024 after Fresha, and shores up the DPI of its 2nd fund, MEVFII to 118%. MEVP was YOUGotaGift's largest shareholder owning 44% and backed the Company’s expansion to KSA and rest of the GCC for nearly a decade. - Saudi’s Merak Capital launches $81.5m gaming fund Summary: Merak Capital launches an USD 80M fund and accelerator, Exel by Merak, to support 15-20 gaming startups across the MENA region. - Jada Fund of Funds Backs SEEDRA Ventures Fund II Summary: Jada Fund of Funds has committed to SEEDRA Ventures Fund II, an early-stage, sector-agnostic venture capital fund managed by SEEDRA Ventures. Following its first closing in Q2 2024, the fund has already made notable investments this year, backing SiFi, PIESHIP, and Rize. - Innovative Startups & SMES Fund (ISSF) Invests $5 M in Saqr Fund II Summary: The Innovative Startups & SMEs Fund (ISSF) has announced a $5 million investment in Vision Ventures’ Saqr Fund II. Saqr Fund II focuses on supporting early-stage startups through pre-seed, seed, Series A, and pre-Series B funding stages. This investment aligns with ISSF's mission to bolster Jordanian startups and strengthen the local ecosystem. - Watercycle Technologies enters MENA after securing $5.6 million Series A Summary: UK-based climatetech Watercycle Technologies has closed a $5.6 million Series A investment round led by Par Equity as part of a syndicate with Greater Manchester Combined Authority ('GMCA'), Aer Ventures and the University of Manchester Innovation Factory. - Locad Targets The Middle East After $9 Million Fund Raise Summary: Logistics specialist Locad will today announce it has raised $9 million of Series B finance, taking the total amount of funding raised by the start-up to more than $30 million.. --- (أحمد طقاطقه) ---
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • VC React Podcast (E19): More Global VCs In MENA, Talabat IPO, The AI Startup That Got Away, & More

    VC React Podcast (E19): More Global VCs In MENA, Talabat IPO, The AI Startup That Got Away, & More
    Nov 14 2024
    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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Available on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Guests: 1. Omar Sati, Managing Partner @ Dash Ventures - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ojsati/ - VC Firm Website: https://www.dashventures.com/ 2. Yana El Dirani, Head of MENA @ Endeavor Catalyst - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yana-el-dirani/ - VC Firm Website: https://endeavor.org/ 3. Zafer Younis, Founder & CEO @ Silicon Valley Venture & Innovation (SVVI) - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaferyounis/ - VC Firm Website: https://www.svvi.co/ --- #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 --- News of the week brought to you by FWDstart. In Today's Episode: - Silicon Valley’s General Catalyst makes first investment into Saudi Arabia through fintech Lean Technologies Source: CNBC Summary: Silicon Valley venture capital firm General Catalyst has made its first investment in Saudi Arabia through fintech startup Lean Technologies, which just closed a Series B round worth $67.5 million. Lean Technologies’ fundraising round also saw participation from Bain Capital Ventures, Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Family Office, and Arbor Ventures, among others, bringing the Riyadh-based firm’s total funding to over $100 million to date. - Talabat Eyes IPO That May Value It More Than Delivery Hero Source: Bloomberg Summary: Delivery Hero SE’s Middle Eastern subsidiary is looking to diversify beyond its core business of food and groceries delivery, a top executive said, after the firm teed up a share sale that could value it more than its parent company. Talabat is eying verticals including health care, beauty, pharmacy, pet services and fintech, its Chief Executive Officer Tomaso Rodriguez said in an interview. Analysts at Emirates NBD said Talabat was debt free, compared to Delivery Hero’s $3.5 billion of borrowings, and operated in one of two regions that positively contributed to the German firm’s Ebitda in 2023. Delivery Hero is selling a 15% stake in the business. Investors can submit orders until Nov. 27, and shares are expected to start trading on or around Dec. 10. - Generative AI startup Writer raises $200M at a $1.9B valuation Source: Techcrunch Summary: Writer has raised $200 million at a $1.9 billion valuation to expand its enterprise-focused generative AI platform. Writer CEO May Habib says the new cash, which brings the startup’s total raised to $326 million, will be used for product development and “cementing the company’s leadership in the enterprise generative AI category.” Writer was founded in 2020 by Habib and Waseem AlShikh. - Astra Tech founder Abdallah Abu Sheikh is selling his stake, steps down as CEO Source: Gulfnews Summary: Abdallah Abu Sheikh, co-founder and CEO of Astra Tech, one of UAE’s high-profile fintechs and owner of the video-calling app Botim, is exiting from the business. He will be selling his stake in Astra Tech to existing shareholders. --- (أحمد طقاطقه) ---
    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • VC React Podcast (E18): DeepTech and TelecomTech News, Revenue Based Fund, More Global VCs in MENA

    VC React Podcast (E18): DeepTech and TelecomTech News, Revenue Based Fund, More Global VCs in MENA
    Nov 7 2024
    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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Available on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon: VC React Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Guests: 1. Asher Siddiqui, General Partner @ Sukna Ventures - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashersiddiqui/ - VC Firm Website: https://suknaventures.com/ 2. Jamil Shinawi, Founding Partner @ Actual VC - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamilshinawi/ - VC Firm Website: https://www.actual.vc/ 3. Omar Rebhan, Founding Partner @ Saudi Angel Investors - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orebhan/ - VC Firm Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saudi-angels/ --- #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 --- News of the week brought to you by FWDstart. In Today's Episode: - $300 million Beta Lab Fund launches to back Saudi, Asian deeptech startups Summary: Saudi fund and studio specializing in deeptech Beta Lab has kicked off with a capital of $300 million on the first day of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) 2024. The fund aims to support the growth of startups and foster cross-border innovation between the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Beta Lab represents a partnership between Saudi Ministry of Investment, the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and MDI Ventures by Telkom Indonesia. - General Atlantic announces Riyadh Office opening as firm expands in the Middle East Summary: Global growth investor General Atlantic has opened a new office in Riyadh. With nearly $1 billion invested across the MENAT region — including stakes in eyewa, Property Finder, and Trendyol — the firm aims to deepen its support for local entrepreneurs in sectors like tech, healthcare, fintech, consumer markets, and climate tech. - Arzan VC launches Revenya Capital to back MENA startups Summary: Kuwait-based VC firm Arzan Venture Capital has partnered with Ahmad Takatkah to launch Revenya Capital, a revenue-based financing (RBF) firm focused on empowering tech startups in the MENA region. With an initial seed investment of $2 million from Arzan VC and Arzan Financial Group (AFG) and a credit facility from AFG’s network, Revenya Capital aims to fill the growing demand for non-dilutive financing options in the region. Revenya Capital plans to work closely with venture capital firms to provide their portfolio companies with short-term, non-dilutive financing for various needs. - NorthLadder completes $10 million Series B led by tali ventures Summary: UAE-based device trade-in platform NorthLadder has closed its Series B at $10 million, led by stc Group’s tali ventures, Dutch Founders Fund and Crescent Ventures. Founded in 2021 by Mihin Shah and Sandeep Shetty, NorthLadder is a trade-in platform for pre-owned electronics with an automated assessment journey and home pickups. The funding will fuel NorthLadder's global expansion efforts and the development of its state-of-the-art trade-in platform. NorthLadder has recently established its European operations in Amsterdam and is poised to launch trade-ins with key partners further across Europe. --- (أحمد طقاطقه) ---
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins

What listeners say about VC React Podcast

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.co.uk reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available