VC React MENA E52: Money20/20, Tamara: $1.4B Debt, HALA: $157M Round, Robinhood: Public Startup Fund

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.

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 Podcast

• Apple: VC React Podcast

Guests:

1. Armineh Baghoomian, Managing Director, Head of EMEA, Co-Head of Global ABF/Fintech @ Partners for Growth
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armineh-baghoomian-045262/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.pfgrowth.com/

2. C. Nichole (Grice) Rush, Managing Director @ First Rate Ventures
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholerush/
- VC Firm Website: https://firstrate.com/ventures/

This Week On The VC React Podcast:

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart:

• Live from Money 20/20 Middle East in Riyadh. We’ll break down the vibe in here: what feels real, what’s just noise, and what trends are actually shaping the future of Fintech in MENA.

• 💰 Tamara just locked in $1.4 billion in debt — yes, with a B — from Goldman, Citi, and Apollo. Is BNPL finally proving it can scale sustainably… or is it just a high-stakes leverage play?

• 📦 HALA raised a $157M Series B to scale its SME payment, banking, and finance services here is Saudi. Is this the Square of MENA? Or is the fintech bundle getting too heavy to carry?

• 📈 And finally — Robinhood wants to open startup investing to everyone. A public fund for early-stage startups? Great idea… or a recipe for a bubble!?

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