VC React Podcast (E31): Consolidation, Investing In Hardware, Traitorous Eight-MENA Version & More!

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, VCs, and investment rounds. Stay tuned for: expert analysis, independent opinions, and maybe some heated conversations!

Hosts:

Available on:

Guests:

1. Ambar Amleh, Founder & Managing Partner @ Ibtikar Fund
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambaramleh/
- VC Firm Website: https://ibtikarfund.com/

2. Arnav Danthi, Principal @ Nuwa Capital
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnavdanthi/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.nuwacapital.io/

3. Fahed Qteishat, Associate Director @ MEVP
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fahedqteishat/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.mevp.com/

In Today's Episode:

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart:

  • Saudi’s Sary and Bangladesh’s ShopUp merge to launch SILQ, a B2B commerce platform, with $110M in fresh funding
    Summary: Saudi-based Sary and Bangladesh’s ShopUp have merged to form SILQ Group, a new B2B commerce platform, and have raised $110 million in fresh funding. The round was jointly led by Sanabil Investments, the venture arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Valar Ventures LLC, founded by Peter Thiel. Additional investors include Qatar Development Bank, STV, Wafra International Investment Co., Tiger Global, Prosus Ventures, Peak XV Partners, and others.

  • Egypt’s InfiniLink raises $10M seed round to build next-gen optical connectivity chips for AI data centers
    Summary: Egypt-based InfiniLink has raised $10 million in a seed round to develop next-gen optical connectivity chips for AI data centers. The round was led by MediaTek – the Taiwanese semiconductor giant ($70BN market-cap) – alongside Sukna Ventures, with participation from Egypt Ventures and angel investors from the US, Europe, and MENA. InfiniLink was co-founded in 2022 by Ahmed F. Aboul-Ella (CEO) and Botros George (CTO), seasoned chip engineers who previously worked with multinational firms and helped establish MediaTek Egypt.

  • Rabbit enters Saudi market, backed by major regional investors
    Summary: Egypt-born quick commerce (q-commerce) startup Rabbit has extended its services to the Saudi market by establishing a regional HQ in Riyadh. Founded in 2021 by Ahmed Yousry, Walid Shabana, Ismail Hafezz, and Tarek El Geresy, Rabbit is a tech-driven hyperlocal e-commerce company that delivers groceries and more in as quick as 20 minutes through its network of dark stores. Rabbit declared it has been backed by some regional investors, including Lorax Capital Partners, Global Ventures, Raed Ventures, and Beltone Venture Capital, along with the existing investors, namely Global Founders Capital, Goodwater Capital, Hub71, Simple Capital, and Foundation Ventures.

  • Pakistan’s Haball secures $52mn pre-Series A funding round, eyes Saudi Arabia expansion
    Summary: Haball, Pakistan’s leading supply chain financing and payments fintech, said it raised $52 million pre-Series A funding round, comprising equity investment and a strategic financing allocation. The round’s equity component of $5 million was led by Zayn VC, a Pakistan-based venture capital firm. Other investors included Majlis Advisory SPV and several Saudi Arabian private investors, the company said. The strategic financing component of $47 million was provided by Meezan Bank Limited, Pakistan’s first and largest Islamic bank, the company said.


--- (أحمد طقاطقه) ---

Ahmad Takatkah
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VC React Podcast (E30): Build quietly? Credit Score or AI, FinTech In Africa, Freaky AI Dubbing!