VC React MENA E49: Local Games Go Global! PropTech Is Heating Up, Arabic First AI HumainChat & Allam

VC React Podcast
Written By Ahmad Takatkah
 
 

VC React Podcast:

Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, and Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, funds, and investment rounds. Stay tuned for: expert analysis, independent opinions, and maybe some heated conversations!

Hosts:

Available on:

Guests:

1. Ahmed AlThukair, An Active Angel Investor, with more than 30 investments and 5 exits.
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-al-thukair-b759b599/

2. Samer Shaaban, Opportunity Committee Member at OQAL Angel Network
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samer-shaaban-cfa-caia-ab40ab4/

This Week On The VC React Podcast:

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart:

  • 🎮 $53 million dollars into a Baloot game?! Kammelna Got acquired by Impact46 — is this the beginning of Marvel-style IP coming out of the region? (when we first got the news we thought it was an investment) Is Impact46 sending a bold message to global investors: we’re building the champions before you show up.

  • 🏡 Although Airbnb, Booking, and Expedia are already here, Gathern which is a female led startup in Saudi, raises a $72M series B — … how are they still winning? And is Saudi Arabia’s domestic tourism market finally big enough to carry a regional startup all the way to IPO? Also, why don’t we see more female-led startups in MENA?

  • 🏦 Holo is digitizing the entire mortgage experience — but at the end of the day, it’s still an aggregator. In 2025, is aggregation still a good business model? Or is it just a hook and the real value is in owning the full financial stack in proptech?

  • 🤖 And finally — Saudi enters the foundation model race. With the launch of Allam and Humain Chat, what’s the actual edge against OpenAI?


--- (أحمد طقاطقه) ---

Ahmad Takatkah
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VC React MENA E48: Robinhood Comes To MENA & Compete With Local Copies, Bulk Funding In Game Studios