The Titans Podcast

Jad Sayegh is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Sarwa, the leading digital investment platform in the Middle East that’s transforming how people build wealth and access financial markets. From engineering high-frequency trading systems in Canada to building one of the region’s top fintech startups, Jad has a rare perspective on technology, investing, and what it takes to scale a company in emerging markets.

In this episode, Jad shares powerful insights on investing, innovation, and the evolving mindset of entrepreneurs and investors in the MENA region. We explore Sarwa’s founding story, the cultural differences in investment mentality between MENA and the U.S., and his predictions for how technology, from AI to blockchain, will redefine the future of money. Jad also offers practical advice for young people on how to think about wealth, risk, and purpose in their 20s.

جاد صايغ هو الشريك المؤسِّس والرئيس التنفيذي للتكنولوجيا في سَرْوَة، المنصّة الرائدة في مجال الاستثمار الرقمي في الشرق الأوسط، والتي تُحدث ثورة في الطريقة التي يبني بها الناس ثرواتهم ويصلون إلى الأسواق المالية. من تطوير أنظمة التداول عالية السرعة في كندا إلى تأسيس واحدة من أبرز شركات التكنولوجيا المالية في المنطقة، يمتلك جاد رؤية فريدة تجمع بين التكنولوجيا وريادة الأعمال والاستثمار في الأسواق .الناشئةفي هذه الحلقة من The Titans Podcast، يشارك جاد رؤى عميقة حول الاستثمار والابتكار وتحوّل عقلية المستثمرين ورواد الأعمال في الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا. نستكشف قصة تأسيس سَرْوَة، والاختلافات في ذهنية الاستثمار بين منطقتنا والولايات المتحدة، وتوقّعاته حول كيف ستغيّر التكنولوجيا — من الذكاء الاصطناعي إلى البلوكتشين — مستقبل المال. كما يقدّم نصائح قيّمة للشباب في العشرينات من عمرهم .حول كيفية التفكير بالثروة، والمخاطرة، وبناء حياة ذات معنى 

In this episode:

Trailer + Intro

Who you are? & What do you do?

What is Sarwa?

The investment mindset in MENA vs. the U.S.

Why “Cash is not King”

The tipping point that helped Sarwa scale

How to build and grow a startup in a competitive market

The role of AI in the future of investing

How investing will change over the next 10 years

The truth about the blockchain hype

What “wealth” really means

Jad’s advice for anyone in their 20s looking to build a meaningful life and career

💡 لمن يجب أن يشاهد هذه الحلقة؟

💰 ما هي سَرْوَة وكيف تغيّر طريقة الناس في الاستثمار

🌍 الفرق في ذهنية الاستثمار بين منطقة الشرق الأوسط والولايات المتحدة

💸 لماذا "النقد ليس الملك"

⚡ اللحظة المفصلية التي ساعدت سَرْوَة على التوسّع

🚀 كيف تبني وتُنمّي شركة ناشئة في سوق تنافسية

🤖 دور الذكاء الاصطناعي في مستقبل الاستثمار

🔮 كيف سيتغيّر عالم الاستثمار في السنوات العشر القادمة

🪙 الحقيقة وراء ضجة البلوكتشين

💼 ما هو المعنى الحقيقي للثروة

🎯 نصيحة جاد للشباب في العشرينات حول كيفية بناء حياة ومسيرة مهنية ذات هدف

🤝 Our Partners:

We proudly partner with Acom International, a leading provider of software and automation systems. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, we trust Acom International to deliver world-class technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.

🌐 Visit: acominternational.com

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Connect with us👇:📧: [email protected]   

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with the top minds in Business & Tech.

Georges Karam is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and TV personality best known as a Dragon on Quebec’s Dans l’œil du dragon and a Shark on Shark Tank Lebanon. A Lebanese-Canadian entrepreneur, Georges built and scaled multiple companies across Canada and beyond—most notably in the telecom and customer experience industries—before turning into an active investor and mentor for the next generation of founders. 

Having navigated both North American and Middle Eastern ecosystems, Georges brings a rare perspective on what it takes to launch, grow, and exit successful companies across different markets. Today, he splits his time between investing, mentoring, and sharing his no-nonsense take on entrepreneurship on some of the world’s most recognized stages. 

In this episode, Georges and I dive into the realities of building businesses from scratch, what investors really look for in entrepreneurs, and why mindset and resilience often matter more than money. We also cover his experience as a Dragon and a Shark, and what founders should know before stepping into the spotlight. 

🙋‍♂️ 00:00 – Intro

💡 00:57 – From survival mode to investor mindset

🦈 11:30 – Walk through George's career

🚀 18:48 – Dragon's Den experience

💰 25:49 – How much money have you invested on Dragon's Den?

🌍 27:06 – Most exciting deal

⚖️ 27:52 – What's more exciting: being a Shark or a Dragon?

🙌 30:14 – Money doesn’t grow on trees

🦈 37:35 – Shark Tank experience

⏱️ 39:56 – The first 20 seconds of any meeting

⚠️ 41:35 – Most common mistake founders make when pitching

🔄 43:05 – If you lost everything, how would you build it again?

🔓 46:32 – Entrepreneurship is the only path to personal freedom?

⚖️ 53:46 – Is work-life balance important?

💵 57:55 – What does it take to make real money?

🧭 1:01:25 – How do I know I'm going in the right direction?

🤝 Our Partners 

We proudly partner with Acom International, a leading provider of software and automation systems. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, we trust Acom International to deliver world-class technology solutions for businesses of all sizes. 

🌐 Visit: acominternational.com 

📩 Contact: [email protected] 

Connect with us👇: 📧: [email protected]

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with the top minds in Business & Tech.

Elias Hankach is a Member of the Lebanese Parliament & the CEO of NokNok, a Lebanese startup that redefined quick commerce in the region by pioneering fast grocery delivery. With a background spanning both business leadership and public service, Elias brings a unique perspective on what it takes to build sustainable ventures in challenging environments. His experience navigating Lebanon’s turbulent business landscape gives him sharp insights into the real barriers and opportunities for entrepreneurs operating in emerging markets.

In this episode, Elias shares his take on the fine line between lobbying and bribing, the power dynamics of money vs influence, and why many investors shy away from Lebanon despite its immense potential. We also explore the critical question of who will ultimately rebuild Lebanon, business leaders or policymakers, and what conditions must be met for Lebanon to position itself as the “Silicon Valley of the Middle East.”

💡 Who should listen to this conversation?

🔑 The difference between lobbying and bribing in business contexts

💰 Why influence often outweighs money in decision-making

🤔 Who really drives change—business leaders or officials?

🚫 Why investors hesitate to put money into Lebanon

🌍 What it would take for Lebanon to become a regional innovation hub

🙌 One piece of advice for young entrepreneurs building in tough markets

🤝 Our Partners

We proudly partner with Acom International, a leading provider of software and automation systems. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, we trust Acom International to deliver world-class technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.

🌐 Visit: acominternational.com

📩 Contact: [email protected]

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with the top minds in Business & Tech.

Ramzi Farah is the Founder and Managing Partner of Razor Capital, a venture capital firm investing in high-potential startups across the MENA region and beyond. With experience spanning London, the U.S., South Asia, and the Middle East, Ramzi brings a global perspective on what it takes to scale startups from local markets to international players. Razor Capital has also made interesting investments in companies outside of MENA and Asia, including global giants like SpaceX, giving Ramzi a unique lens on both emerging and developed ecosystems.

In this episode, Ramzi shares actionable insights on how founders can raise their first round of funding, what makes a startup truly fundable, and the key differences between pitching to local vs international VCs. We also explore the common mistakes founders in emerging markets make, the mindset shift required when moving from seed to Series A, and the sectors most likely to produce global success stories in the next decade.

💡 Who should listen to this conversation?

💰 What sets Razor Capital apart in a crowded VC landscape

🚀 The very first step for founders with just an idea

👀 The traits that make a founder fundable

🌍 How MENA’s investment landscape compares to global markets

🎯 Pitching to international vs regional VCs: what changes?

⚠️ The most common mistakes founders make when raising capital

📈 The big shift from Seed to Series A

🌐 How startups can break out of local markets and scale globally

🔮 Sectors with the highest chance of producing global players

🙌 One piece of advice for young founders chasing global success

🤝 Our Partners

We proudly partner with Acom International, a leading provider of software and automation systems. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, we trust Acom International to deliver world-class technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.

🌐 Visit: acominternational.com

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Connect with us👇:

📧: [email protected]

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with the top minds in Business & Tech.

Fadi Bizri is the Co-Founder of SE Factory, a leading coding bootcamp, and a driving force behind initiatives like HR Factory, which connects top local talent to global tech companies. Beyond building talent pipelines, he has also been a venture capitalist, accelerator founder, and mentor to countless entrepreneurs across the MENA region.

In this episode, Fadi shares raw and practical insights on the future of education, why traditional universities are falling short, and how coding bootcamps can bridge the gap. We dive into the realities of becoming a software engineer in 2025, the impact of AI and AGI on the job market, and what it really takes to land, or create your dream job in tech.

What You’ll Get from This Episode:

💻 02:08 — What is SE Factory?

🎓 04:22 — Should you be job ready after graduating?

🔥 06:34 — Do we need a revolution in the education system?

🤝 09:00 — HR Factory: the easiest way to find and employ talent

📚 12:03 — Is a coding bootcamp worth it in 2025?

🚀 15:51 — How to get a job after completing the bootcamp

❓ 17:58 — Can you get a job in tech without a degree?

🤖 21:17 — Will AI replace Software Engineers? (and how AGI will reshape coding)

💡 29:49 — Why you should or shouldn’t become a Software Engineer

⏳ 31:53 — When should you quit your job and start your own business?

👯 34:45 — What makes the perfect Co-Founders?

🌐 36:09 — The #1 tech job to aim for in 2025

📍 39:14 — Which country is best for outsourcing?

🔍 41:59 — How to search for a job effectively

🤝 Our Partners

We proudly partner with Acom International, a leading provider of software and automation systems. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, we trust Acom International to deliver world-class technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.

🌐 Visit: acominternational.com

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Connect with us👇:

📧: [email protected]    

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with the top minds in Business & Tech.

Walid Mansour is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) — one of the leading venture capital firms in the MENA region. With over a decade of experience in investing, Walid didn’t just invest in successful startups — he played a key role in building some of the MENA region’s most prominent companies, including Anghami, Totters, Stake, Fresha, and many more.

In this episode, Walid shares raw, practical insights on the realities of entrepreneurship, what it takes to build a successful company, and how to raise funding in today’s ecosystem. We also dive into the MENA startup landscape, the role of degrees and MBAs in 2025, and where the next big opportunities lie.

What You’ll Get from This Episode:

🚀 01:25 — Why VC?

🏢 10:20 — How MEVP became the MENA’s leading VC

👨‍💼 12:21 — The traits of successful founders

🎭 15:51 — Does "Fake It Until You Make It" actually work?

🤔 17:49 — Should you start your own company?

💰 20:00 — How to get funding for my startup? (Through a VC)

📈 24:38 — How to valueate a startup?

🎓 26:57 — Are MBAs still worth it in 2025?

🎓 36:20 — Can I get a job without a degree?

🌍 41:10 — The MENA Startup Ecosystem today

🔮 43:47 — What should we be excited about in the upcoming years? 

💸 46:15 — Where would Walid invest with a blank check?

📊 47:52 — Technologies with the highest potential

⏳ 50:28 — If Walid could time travel, where would he invest?

🤝 Our Partners

We proudly partner with Acom International, a leading provider of software and automation systems. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, we trust Acom International to deliver world-class technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.

🌐 Visit: acominternational.com

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Connect with us👇:

📧: [email protected]  

https://www.linkedin.com/company/thetitanspodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/thetitans.podcast/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheTitansPodcast

🔗 MEVP's Links:

Website: https://www.mevp.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middle-east-venture-partners/posts/?feedView=all

🔗 Walid's LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/walid-mansour-3246342// walid-mansour-3246342  

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with the top minds in Business & Tech.

Fadi Bizri is the Co-Founder of SE Factory, a leading coding bootcamp, and a driving force behind initiatives like HR Factory, which connects top local talent to global tech companies. Beyond building talent pipelines, he has also been a venture capitalist, accelerator founder, and mentor to countless entrepreneurs across the MENA region.

In this episode, Fadi shares raw and practical insights on the future of education, why traditional universities are falling short, and how coding bootcamps can bridge the gap. We dive into the realities of becoming a software engineer in 2025, the impact of AI and AGI on the job market, and what it really takes to land, or create your dream job in tech.

What You’ll Get from This Episode:
💻 What is SE Factory?

🎓 Should you be job ready after graduating?

🔥 Do we need a revolution in the education system?

🤝 HR Factory: the easiest way to find and employ talent

📚 Is a coding bootcamp worth it in 2025?

🚀 How to get a job after completing the bootcamp

❓ Can you get a job in tech without a degree?

🤖 Will AI replace Software Engineers? (and how AGI will reshape coding)

💡 Why you should or shouldn’t become a Software Engineer

⏳ When should you quit your job and start your own business?

👯 What makes the perfect Co-Founders?

🌐 The #1 tech job to aim for in 2025

📍 Which country is best for outsourcing?

🔍 How to search for a job effectively

🤝 Our Partners

We proudly partner with Acom International, a leading provider of software and automation systems. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, we trust Acom International to deliver world-class technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.

🌐 Visit: acominternational.com

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Connect with us👇:

📧: [email protected]

Instagram: thetitans.podcast

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thetitanspodcast/

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with the top minds in Business Tech.

Walid Mansour is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) — one of the leading venture capital firms in the MENA region. With over a decade of experience in investing, Walid didn’t just invest in successful startups — he played a key role in building some of the MENA region’s most prominent companies, including Anghami, Totters, Stake, Fresha, and many more.

In this episode, Walid shares raw, practical insights on the realities of entrepreneurship, what it takes to build a successful company, and how to raise funding in today’s ecosystem. We also dive into the MENA startup landscape, the role of degrees and MBAs in 2025, and where the next big opportunities lie.

What You’ll Get from This Episode:

🚀 Why VC?
🏢 How MEVP became the MENA’s leading VC
👨‍💼 The traits of successful founders
🎭 Does "Fake It Until You Make It" actually work?
🤔 Should you start your own company?
💰 How to get funding for my startup? (Through a VC)
📈 How to valueate a startup?
🎓 Are MBAs still worth it in 2025?
🎓 Can I get a job without a degree?
🌍 The MENA Startup Ecosystem today
🔮 What should we be excited about in the upcoming years?
💸 Where would Walid invest with a blank check?
📊 Technologies with the highest potential
⏳ If Walid could time travel, where would he invest?

🤝 Our Partners:
We proudly partner with Acom International, a leading provider of software and automation systems. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, we trust Acom International to deliver world-class technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.

🌐 Visit: acominternational.com
📩 Contact: [email protected]

Connect with us👇:
📧: [email protected]
Instagram: thetitans.podcast

🔗 MEVP's Links:
Website: mevp.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/middle-east-venture-partners/

🔗 Walid's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/walid-mansour-3246342/

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with the top minds in Business Tech.

Dr. Chaouki Abdallah is a globally renowned academic leader and the current President of the Lebanese American University (LAU). He previously served as President of the University of New Mexico and as Executive Vice President for Research at Georgia Tech, where he oversaw a research enterprise that grew to an impressive $1.5 billion in annual funding. In this episode, Dr. Abdallah shares his candid thoughts on the future of education, whether academic degrees still matter, and what it truly takes to become a leader in today’s fast-changing world.

What You’ll Get from This Episode:

📜 01:28 - Are college degrees still worth it?

🏃 09:30 - Can universities keep up with the speed of modern innovation?

🧑‍🎓 14:17 - Is it the university’s role to make students job-ready by graduation?

🔬 19:53 - Why do Universities do Research? How can research benefit society? 

🎓 27:47 - Should I do an MBA? Should I do a technical Masters?

🏢 32:16 - Why President of the Lebanese American University (LAU)?

✅ 35:06 - Action plan at LAU

🏛️ 49:15 - How to choose a University?

🤺 52:14 - Will Middle Eastern universities ever rank among the world's top institutions?

🚀 57:18 - The Qaulities of the next generation of Leaders

📘 1:00:42 - Advice for Reasearchers and Students

🤝 Our Partners

We proudly partner with Acom International, a leading provider of software and automation systems. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, we trust Acom International to deliver world-class technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.

🌐 Visit: acominternational.com

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Connect with us👇:

📧: [email protected]   

/ thetitanspodcast     

/ thetitans.podcast     

/ thetitanspodcast  

🔗 Dr. Chaouki Abdallah's LinkedIn:  

/ chaouki-abdallah-a268796  

Lebanese American University (LAU):

https://www.linkedin.com/school/leban...

http://lau.edu.lb/

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with the top minds in Business & Tech.

This is what no one tells you about Startups, VCs & Technology!

In this unfiltered episode of The Titans Podcast, I sit down with Nadim Zaazaa - Former Managing Partner at Nucleus Ventures and Global Fundraising Consultant. Nadim is a company builder, a strategist, and innovation leader who’s spent years behind the scenes of deep-tech and venture capital.

From running accelerators and shaping economic policy to working deep inside global innovation teams, Nadim delivers the kind of truths that most people in business and tech are too scared to say out loud.

What You’ll Get from This Episode:

💣 Why most startup advice is dead wrong

🧠 What AI startups are getting completely wrong

📉 How to spot a startup that's all pitch, no substance

💰 How to invest 10,000$

🚫 One career mistake he still regrets—and why it matters

🤥 The biggest lies VCs and founders tell each other

No fluff. No clichés. Just real talk from someone who’s been in the room where big decisions are made.

If you’re a founder, investor, tech enthusiast, or just tired of the hype: this episode will change the way you think about business.

🤝 Our Partners

We proudly partner with Acom International, a leading provider of software and automation systems. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation, we trust Acom International to deliver world-class technology solutions for businesses of all sizes.

🌐 Visit: acominternational.com

📩 Contact: [email protected]

Connect with us👇:

📧: [email protected]  

/ thetitanspodcast    

/ thetitans.podcast    

/ thetitanspodcast  

🔗 Connect with Nadim:  

/ nadim-zaazaa-79475b12  

👇 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with the top minds in Business & Tech.

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