VC React MENA E57: Jahez + noon against Keeta, Shgardi shuts down, DataCamp acquires UAE’s Optima
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. Amjad Ahmad, Managing Partner & Emerging Markets Advisor @ 500 Global
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amjadahmadvc/
- Company Website: https://500.co/
2. Hasan Haider, Founder and Managing Partner @ Plus VC
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasanhaider/
- Company Website: https://plus.vc/
This Week On The VC React Podcast:
News of the week brought to you by FWDstart:
Jahez x noon team up after years as rivals – smart defensive play or last stand against a deep-pocketed new entrant flooding the region with subsidies? - Why food delivery unit economics in places like Kuwait & Bahrain are so attractive that global players had to show up - How founders of listed tech companies should think about stock price, storytelling, and life “in the glass house” post-IPO - First casualty?
Shgardi, a Saudi delivery player, shuts down. Is this just bad luck, or the start of a real shakeout in food delivery & fintech across MENA? - Protectionism vs. smart government support: should sovereign wealth funds back local champions directly or focus on building a real LP & growth-capital ecosystem? - What “local startup” even means in a global-by-default world (is it nationality, HQ, employees, or real commitment to the region?) - Why many seed/Series A fintech players may not survive the next few years – and when an early M&A exit is actually the rational choice
DataCamp acquires UAE’s Optima for $15M, turning founder Yousef into Global Chief AI Officer. Healthy early win for the ecosystem – or another “sold too early” AI/edtech moment?
Here is the DataCamp Podcast we referred to in the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNTKLbMwi8M
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