Startups Arabia

Yasmine El-Mehairy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dija, a platform helping Muslim women invest with confidence in a way aligned with their faith and values. Yasmine is a serial entrepreneur, passionate about startups with purpose. Before launching Dija, she worked in global financial service organizations like City Ventures and Deloitte Digital, as well as founding and managing other startups in various fields, like digital media and e-commerce. She previously Co-Founded SuperMama, the one-stop shop for mothers in the Arab world, which was acquired by Mawdoo3. She's also an expert in entrepreneurship, serving as a lecturer and tutor at Oxford University. Yasmine holds an executive MBA from London Business School, a master's in online media from the University of Westminster, and a bachelor's in computer Science from Egypt's Aisha's University, and has been strongly committed to creating the change she wants to see in the world by starting purposeful startups that contribute to the growing ecosystem. 

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

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Yasmine’s LinkedIn account: @Yamine El-Mehairy

Dija Money’s Website: https://www.dija.money/ 

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to the Startups Arabia Podcast

00:25 Meet Yasmine El-Mehairy: A Serial Entrepreneur

02:17 Yasmine's Early Career and First Startup

03:01 The Turning Point: From Corporate to Startup

07:28 The Birth of SuperMama

09:11 Challenges and Pivots in SuperMama's Journey

19:46 SuperMama's Growth and Traction

34:31 Navigating Investor Relations and Board Dynamics

38:37 The Acquisition of SuperMama

45:07 Transition to Dija Money and Financial Empowerment

45:30 The Origin of Dija Money

46:29 Financial Mistakes and Lessons Learned

49:32 Gender and Financial Literacy

54:18 Geopolitical and Socioeconomic Factors

01:00:45 The Dija App: Vision and Development

01:06:23 Building a Startup: Strategies and Challenges

01:10:51 Personal and Professional Reflections

01:20:53 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Ramez El-Serafy is the General Partner and Co-Founder of F6 Ventures, bringing over 18 years of experience in technology, investments, entrepreneurship, and management. Before launching F6 Ventures, Ramez served as CEO of Flat6Labs from 2011 to 2025, where he led its transformation into one of the most active innovation platforms in the Middle East and Africa, expanding its footprint, scaling its operations, and investing in hundreds of high-growth startups.

Earlier in his career, Ramez was responsible for building and managing the mobile applications business at Sarmady – a Vodafone company – and served as a board member of the Global Accelerator Network from 2014 to 2016. He holds a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from Alexandria University and is deeply committed to fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, and building impactful businesses that shape the future of emerging markets.

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

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Ramez’s LinkedIn account: @Ramez El-Serafy

F6 Ventures’ Website: https://f6.vc/

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Ramez El-Serafy and the Podcast

02:41 The Birth of Flat6Labs

07:14 Challenges and Growth of Flat6Labs

24:00 Expanding Beyond Egypt

30:36 The Evolution into F6 Ventures

38:59 Introduction to F6 Ventures

39:30 Launching F6 Ventures and Portfolio Management

40:33 Regional Strategies and Consolidation

41:54 Investment Programs and Mandates

43:00 Focus on Africa, Levant, and GCC

52:07 Personal Transformation and Health Journey

57:11 Fundraising Advice for Founders

01:03:51 Investment Decision-Making Process

01:10:22 Challenges in the Regional Ecosystem

01:13:04 Navigating Market Challenges

01:14:00 Geographical Diversification Strategy

01:15:07 Startup Exit Options

01:15:51 Investor Exit Strategies

01:18:33 Impact of Exits on Ecosystems

01:22:33 Key Questions for Founders

01:25:36 Challenges in Fundraising

01:28:38 Emerging Sectors and Technologies

01:35:19 Building a Sustainable Ecosystem

01:40:12 Future Goals and Expansion

01:41:43 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Born in Tunisia and “well-travelled”.

Geek, started my first software company at the age of 16.

Studied Software Engineering and AI at INSA Toulouse and University of Western Ontario.

Joined Microsoft, where I spent 7 years — from Software Engineer to Engineering Manager — and truly fell in love with testing and quality.

Then co-founded Expensya, an AI-powered expense management scale-up that grew across Europe and was acquired for over $100M.

Now building Thunders: a no-code, agentic AI testing solution that empowers both developers and non-technical teams to automate end-to-end testing at scale — without writing a single line of code. Passionate about shipping faster, with confidence.

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

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Karim’s LinkedIn account: @Karim Jouini

Thunders’ Website: https://www.thunders.ai/

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Karim Jouini and the Podcast

03:10 Karim's Journey in Tech and Early Ventures

05:00 The Importance of Hard and Soft Skills

07:29 Challenges and Lessons from Building Expensya

10:16 Founding Thunders and Its Vision

25:56 Thunders’ Progress and Future Plans

30:38 AI in Testing and Overcoming Regional Challenges

47:55 Handling Customer Feedback

50:16 Go-to-Market Strategy

53:34 Team Size and Structure

55:56 Remote Work Policy

56:53 Leadership Principles

59:37 Identity and Global Citizenship

01:01:55 Impact of Global Events

01:08:54 Fundraising Strategy

01:13:05 Acquisition Decision

01:17:32 Co-Founder Dynamics

01:22:21 Regional Startup Ecosystem

01:25:13 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Jon Santillan is the co-founder of OCTA, a platform automating financial operations for businesses — starting with accounts receivables and embedded financing. He’s a second-time founder, previously building and selling Denarii to Careem. Based in Dubai, Jon’s been operating in the region for over a decade, and he’s now focused on helping SMEs across the Middle East get paid faster, streamline workflows, and access capital when they need it.

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

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Jon’s LinkedIn account: @Jon Edward Santillan

OCTA’s Website: https://weareocta.com/

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Jon Santillan and the Podcast

03:06 Journey to Founding OCTA

04:49 Challenges and Solutions in Payment Collections

09:21 Revenue Streams and Business Model

17:40 Global Market Aspirations

20:22 Fundraising and Investor Relations

27:35 Early Career and SEO Expertise

32:31 Entrepreneurial Journey and Founding Denarii

45:03 Acquisition by Careem and Lessons Learned

53:35 The Role of Capital in Ambition and Creativity

54:19 Integration Process Post-Acquisition

58:00 Reflections on Selling the Company

01:01:16 Angel Investing Approach

01:03:31 Building in Public: Strategy and Benefits

01:08:28 Challenges of Being an Expat Founder

01:11:42 Advice on Co-Founding Relationships

01:18:00 Managing Investor Relationships

01:27:03 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Khaled Talhouni is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Nuwa Capital, a VC firm investing in early-stage startups across the MENAPT region, based in Dubai and Riyadh. He has managed over 150 early-stage deals with a total AUM exceeding $300M and has successfully exited 15+. With deep expertise in venture investing and portfolio management, he plays a key role in shaping the region’s startup ecosystem.

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

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Khaled’s LinkedIn account: @Khaled Talhouni

Nuwa Capital’s Website: https://www.nuwacapital.io/

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Khaled Talhouni and the Podcast

01:50 Early Career and Entry into VC

08:05 Wamda Capital and Its Impact

11:49 Founding of Nuwa Capital

13:44 Investment Thesis and Founder Profiles

22:57 AI's Impact on SaaS and Future Trends

37:14 Regional Startups Going Global

42:33 The Golden Age for the Region

44:50 Technological Transformation in the GCC

45:32 The Impact of Youth and Demographics

47:18 Geopolitical Neutrality and Economic Reforms

48:40 Case Study: A Successful Acquisition

52:21 The Importance of Founder-Investor Relationships

54:34 Reflecting on Missed Opportunities

57:49 Challenges in the Venture Capital Landscape

01:00:47 Spotting and Supporting Great Founders

01:03:23 Quick Investment Decisions

01:07:22 The Future of the Regional Ecosystem

01:12:42 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Michael Lints has over 20 years of experience helping innovative businesses obtain the resources, insights, and expertise they need in order to be successful. Michael has been a startup operator, investor, and mentor, and is currently a Partner at the Singapore-based venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures. He joined the firm in 2013 and is currently leading growth venture efforts, which include LP fundraising and portfolio management for Golden Gate Ventures investments at Series B and beyond.

Michael’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2000 when he co-founded an IT managed services startup in Europe that was acquired by a large data and telecom company six years later. In 2007, Michael founded a venture fund focused on Dutch small- and medium-sized enterprises to help them with capital financing, business development, and strategy. During the same period, he was invited to join the Economic Development Board Rotterdam as Vice Chairman. In that role, he launched the Young Economic Development Board where he brought together a highly influential Dutch network to develop a sustainable framework for public-private relationships that increased local business investment while leveraging the public infrastructure.

Michael has helped support firm and portfolio-level priorities that have spanned fundraising, capital allocation, and corporate development. He has helped to raise over USD $60M for Golden Gate Ventures and its portfolio companies, including helping to raise later stage rounds from external investors as well as leading two early strategic acquisitions.

Outside of work, sport is an essential part of Michael’s life. He is a former member of the Dutch karate team and the former ambassador for Treknology (Trek bikes distributor in Singapore). Michael actively participates in Ironman 70.3 races and marathons. He is also passionate about social justice and uses sport as a vehicle to raise awareness for important issues such as civil rights, economic opportunity, and education. 

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

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Michael’s LinkedIn account: @Michael Lints

Michael’s Website: michaellints.com

Golden Gate Ventures' Website: https://www.goldengate.vc/

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Michael Lints and the Podcast

02:44 Who is Michael Lints?

06:16 Golden Gate Ventures: Mission and Early Days

09:39 Expanding to the MENA Region

12:55 Investment Strategies and Portfolio Insights

33:26 AI's Impact on Venture Capital and Industry

41:08 Michael Lints' Documentary: Broken Chains

42:56 Challenges Faced by Minority Founders

46:44 Personal Reflections on Career and Opportunity

48:38 From Martial Arts to Ironman

54:28 Investment Decisions and Regrets

57:02 The Impact of Market Trends on Fundraising

59:53 Key Questions for Founders

01:01:18 Characteristics of a Great Investor

01:03:12 The Importance of Founders in Early-Stage Investments

01:05:31 Navigating Exit Options in the Region

01:09:36 Wishes for the Regional Ecosystem

01:10:40 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Julien is the Senior Partner at Oraseya Capital, where he leads the firm’s investment strategy, oversees deal sourcing and execution, and actively manages a diverse portfolio of early-stage startups. Oraseya Capital invests from pre-Seed to Series B stages, fostering innovation and scaling transformative businesses across key sectors. Julien is also a member of the investment committee.

In 2021, Julien launched SANDBOX, Oraseya’s program for investing in and mentoring pre-Seed/Seed stage startups. The program has supported hundreds of founders, with 16 investments made in 2024 alone.

Julien plays a pivotal role in mentoring founders, building long-term partnerships, and guiding portfolio companies toward sustainable growth and success.

With a presence in the UAE’s startup ecosystem since 2012, Julien brings extensive experience as both a founder and investor. Prior to joining Oraseya Capital, he was Principal and Portfolio Manager at Dtec Ventures, where he led investments across various industries and helped drive the growth of the regional entrepreneurial landscape.

He began his career as an Investment Banker with Société Générale CIB in Italy, working on multi-billion-dollar corporate finance transactions. After moving to Dubai, he launched his first startup—an online artist agency representing over 1,000 talents across the region—which he successfully exited. He subsequently contributed to several ventures as a co-founder, advisor, and product director.

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

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Julien’s LinkedIn account: @Julien Plouzeau

Oraseya Capital’s Website: https://oraseyacapital.com/

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Julien Plouzeau and the Podcast

02:34 Julien's Move to Dubai and Early Ventures

04:50 The Challenges and Rewards of Building Startups

08:26 Investment Banking vs. Venture Capital

12:17 The Role and Mission of Oraseya Capital

17:16 Oraseya Capital's Investment Strategy and Achievements

22:15 Multi-Stage Investing: Strategies and Approaches

37:28 Path to Profitability and Scaling

38:37 Lessons from Regional Trailblazers

43:16 Success Strategies for Startups

48:26 Investment Stories: Podeo and Ogram

54:50 Navigating the Investment Landscape

01:06:58 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Waleed A. Alballaa is a technologist-turned-investor with a proven track record across global and MENA markets, spanning semiconductors, wireless, mobility, and eGovernment. As a Founding General Partner at Sukna Ventures, he backs early-stage, tech-driven startups across the region. Prior to Sukna, Waleed co-founded STV, one of the MENA region’s largest VC funds, and led pivotal initiatives at Elm—including launching the firm’s first business sector and founding its corporate venture arm.

Waleed’s earlier career includes high-tech development roles at Cadence Design, Conexant, Skyworks Solutions, and Microsoft in the U.S. He holds a Master’s in Computer Science from Oregon Health & Science University and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from King Saud University.

Beyond investing, Waleed serves on multiple boards and actively mentors founders. He also co-founded the Saudi Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and the Business Analysis Association Group, where he currently serves as Vice Chairman. A committed technology optimist, Waleed is passionate about fueling innovation and strengthening the startup ecosystem across the MENA region.

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

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Waleed’s LinkedIn account: @Waleed Alballaa

Sukna Ventures’ Website: https://suknaventures.com/

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Waleed Alballaa and the Podcast

02:50 Waleed's Journey: From the US to Saudi Arabia

08:16 Founding STV and the Corporate VC Experience

14:10 The Birth of Sukna Ventures

20:03 Focus on Early-Stage Tech and Disruptive Technologies

20:35 Exploring Space Tech and AI Innovations

29:25 The Future of the Saudi Startup Ecosystem

34:56 Global Ambitions and Product Development

37:29 The Evolving Software Market and VC Landscape

41:15 Exploring Future Computing Technologies

41:37 The Role of Venture Capital in Emerging Tech

42:26 Challenges in Predicting the Future of Tech

43:17 The Importance of Understanding the Present Market

44:06 Finding Early Seeds of Innovation

46:19 Global Investment Strategies

48:43 A Contrarian Bet on Hardware

51:51 The Evolution of LPs in Venture Capital

54:50 The Role of Endowments and Foundations

01:00:46 Effective Board Governance

01:07:06 Lessons from Missed Investment Opportunities

01:15:12 The Impact of Market Externalities on Startups

01:16:11 The Importance of Early Relationships with Founders

01:16:53 Challenges in Market Sizing and Portfolio Strategy

01:20:04 Current Trends in Saudi's Investment Landscape

01:22:23 The Role of Mergers and Acquisitions in Growth

01:26:37 Emerging Vertical Trends in the Region

01:30:17 The Semiconductor Industry's Potential in Saudi

01:34:43 Investment Decision-Making and Ecosystem Improvements

01:39:41 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Saoud was born in Kuwait during the Gulf War and left to the US at the age of 18. Saoud launched Fakespot.com in 2016, a platform that detects fake reviews using AI, after being scammed by a supplement with fake ratings. Since then, Fakespot is now used by millions of shoppers worldwide when browsing popular eCommerce websites. Fakespot was acquired by Mozilla in 2023 and is now integrated into Mozilla Firefox, one of the world's most utilized browsers. Prior to working at Fakespot, Saoud was a software engineer at Goldman Sachs and graduated from Monmouth University with his Bachelors and Masters in Software Engineering.

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

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Saoud’s LinkedIn account: @Saoud Khalifah

Fakespot’s Website: https://www.fakespot.com/

Mozilla’s Website: https://www.mozilla.org/

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Saoud Khalifah and the Podcast

01:50 Saoud's Early Life and Career Beginnings

13:12 The Birth of Fakespot

21:23 Challenges and Growth of Fakespot

38:42 The Spontaneous Start and Early Challenges

39:18 The Struggle of Fundraising

41:56 The Road to the First Investment

47:24 Pivoting During the Pandemic

49:06 The Browser Extension Boom

49:55 The Battle with a Trillion-Dollar Company

59:54 The Mozilla Acquisition

01:09:41 The Rise of Specialists in a Generalist World

01:13:48 The Intersection of Music and Programming

01:17:16 The Role of Music in Enhancing Cognitive Skills

01:19:03 The Future of Machine-Generated Content

01:20:03 Challenges and Opportunities in Generative AI

01:20:39 The Importance of Security in AI Development

01:24:05 The Need for New AI Infrastructure

01:28:34 Cultural Shifts and Technological Ambitions in the Middle East

01:29:07 The Role of Competition and Innovation in the Middle East

01:35:20 The Future of Coding and Best Practices

01:39:22 Investing in Startups: What to Look For

01:46:28 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Leena Khalil is currently a Partner at Key Capital and was the co-founder of Mumzworld. In 2011, she co-founded Mumzworld.com, a leading platform dedicated to making parenting easier across the region. Following its strong growth, Mumzworld.com was fully acquired by the Saudi healthcare giant Tamer Group. Leena stepped down as CEO in 2024.

Before her role at Mumzworld, Leena worked in investment banking in London, where she successfully launched equity transactions for TMT clients across multiple geographies. She later transitioned to business process outsourcing, focusing on optimizing local government processes and customer service through the integration of technology into daily life.

Leena has been named one of the top female entrepreneurs by Forbes Middle East for four consecutive years, including the most recent Forbes 2023 list. Additionally, she was recognized as one of the most powerful retail leaders by Retail ME in 2023.

She serves on the board of APIC, a publicly listed company focused on driving investments to Palestine. Leena is also a member of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) Board of Advisors, a mentor at the Win Fellowship, and a judge supporting Eureka!, the Gulf region edition of Asia's Largest Business Model Competition.

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

—--- Resources—--------:

Leena’s LinkedIn account: @Leena Khalil

Key Capital’s Website: https://www.key.capital/

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

02:57 The Birth of Mumzworld

06:24 Challenges and Strategies in E-Commerce

11:33 Fundraising and Investment Insights

24:13 Acquisition by Tamer Group

32:16 Transition to Key Capital

39:45 Market Making Strategies

39:58 Challenges and Benefits of Secondaries Market

41:36 APIC: Arab Palestinian Investment Company

45:29 Benefitting Society through Business

47:27 Balancing Motherhood and Professional Life

50:24 E-commerce Trends and Investor Insights

53:55 The Importance of Co-founder Relationships

59:06 Mental Health in the Startup World

01:04:52 Reflections on Regional Ecosystem and Education

01:09:32 Quick Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts