In this episode, Nadim Alameddine, CEO & founder of Wafeq, shares his journey from bootstrapping his first startup to building a SaaS company that simplifies accounting and financial management for businesses in MENA.Nadim discusses the lessons he learned from scaling multiple products, why localization is a key differentiator in the region, and how Wafeq navigates the complex landscape of regulations and compliance. He also dives into the challenges of pricing SaaS in MENA, his approach to fundraising, and how AI is reshaping financial software.Key takeaways:- Bootstrapping forces founders to be resourceful and prioritize sustainable growth.- Having a technical co-founder—or learning to code—can be a game-changer in early-stage startups.- Localization is a critical competitive advantage in MENA’s SaaS market.- Navigating regulatory complexity is a major challenge for fintech and accounting software.- SaaS pricing should evolve with product maturity and competitive positioning.- Fundraising in MENA requires patience, persistence, and the right investor match.- AI is transforming software development, but its role in accounting SaaS is still evolving.Chapters:00:00 Nadim Alameddine, CEO & founder of Wafeq00:50 Bootstrapping Pricena with Two Technical co-founders 05:12 Starting Wafeq By Becoming Technical 09:20 The Accounting Software Landscape in MENA12:11 Finding Product-Market Fit, Product Dynamics 17:16 Wafeq's Size, Growth, and Challenges 21:57 Figuring Out SaaS Pricing24:50 Hiring & Decision Making29:05 Key SaaS Growth Metrics 31:48 Fundraising in MENA35:05 How is AI Changing SaaS? Accounting?

In this episode, Akeed Azmi, co-founder of Cercli, shares his journey from working at industry giants like Careem and Kitopi to launching his own venture focused on solving payroll and global team management issues for MENA businesses.

In this episode, Walid Dib, entrepreneur and founder of Better, takes us through his unconventional journey from the world of insurance to building innovative solutions in the personal wellness space. After pivoting, he now focuses on tackling sensitive issues that men face, such as hair loss and sexual wellness.

Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, shares invaluable insights into how VCs assess founders and startups, particularly in the early stages. In part 3 of this 3-part series, Khaled reflects on lessons learned from his portfolio companies and 15+ years in VC, and explores the evolution of venture capital in MENA. He shares his vision for Nuwa Capital’s future, emphasizing the role of trust, transparency, and sourcing innovative startups to shape the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, shares invaluable insights into how VCs assess founders and startups, particularly in the early stages. In part 2 of this 3-part series, Khaled discusses how and when to approach VCs, how to create FOMO, and the essential elements for a standout pitch.

Related Episodes:

- It's important to match your fundraising approach to the stage and focus of the VC.

- A warm intro from someone in the ecosystem, ideally a founder you’ve worked with, is the best way to get VCs' attention.

- If rejected, founders should send periodic updates and keep VCs in the loop on progress.

- To create FOMO, a strong product, right timing, and the right sector must align naturally.

- Raising capital should focus on what’s needed at the stage rather than over-optimizing for valuation.

- Having a clear and concise pitch deck that hits all key points is essential for early-stage fundraising.

- Demonstrating real traction or industry expertise often outweighs the deck’s aesthetics.

- Founders should avoid over-raising and focus on only the amount needed for the next milestone.

- Investors expect founders to be aligned with the goal of building businesses that are both impactful and profitable.

Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, shares invaluable insights into how VCs assess founders and startups, particularly in the early stages. In part 1 of this 3-part series, Khaled breaks down the key traits he looks for in founders and teams, the importance of clarity of vision, and how to adapt to feedback and pivot when necessary.

Nader Amiri, an entrepreneur and angel investor, shares his journey from brand management roles at Kraft Foods and Coca-Cola to founding El Grocer and now leading Homegrown, a venture focused on accelerating the FMCG and CPG ecosystem in the MENA region.

Iraklis Alexopoulos, a former bartender turned successful CTO and entrepreneur, shares his unconventional journey from mixing drinks to building and exiting a tech streaming platform.

Rami Tabbara, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Stake, discusses his challenging start in the real estate industry to building the most advanced real estate investment platform in the world.

A chat with Ahmed Al Rawi, the founder and CEO of Calo, to discuss how he built the leading meal subscription service in MENA in just three years.