VC React Podcast (E33): Holding Model vs Typical VC! SME Finance Boom, Secondaries Infra, and More!

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:

• 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

• Amazon: VC React Podcast

Guests:

1. Abdulrahman AlJiffry, Partner @ 500 Global
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdulrahman-aljiffry-23834738/
- VC Firm Website: https://500.co/

2.Abe Seksek, Angel Investor, and Host of the ABEZ Show
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abeseksek/
- Show Website: https://www.abezshow.com/

3. Dima Shahin, Venture Partner @ SVVI
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dima-shahin/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.svvi.co/

In Today's Episode:

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart:

• iMENA Holding raises $135M and restructures as Saudi company ahead of IPO
  Summary: iMENA Group, one of MENA's leading digital platform operators, has raised $135 million in the first tranche of its pre-IPO funding round. The raise, which includes private placement and in-kind contributions, was backed by Sanabil Investments (Public Investment Fund (PIF)), FJ Labs, Saygin Yalcin (Founder and CEO of SellAnyCar.com), and a number of other prominent Saudi investors.

• Erad secures $16 million pre-Series A to bridge SME credit gap in MENA
  Summary: Saudi Arabia-based fintech erad has raised a $16 million pre-Series A funding round, backed by Y Combinator, Nuwa Capital, Khwarizmi Ventures, Aljazira Capital, VentureSouq, Oraseya Capital, and Joa Capital. Founded in 2022 by Salem Abu-Hammour, Faris Yaghmour, Abdulmalik Almeheini, and Youssef Said, erad provides Shariah-compliant, data-driven financing to SMEs in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with funding access in as little as 48 hours.

• Zest Equity secures $4.3mln in pre-series A funding led by Prosus Ventures
  Summary: UAE-based fintech Zest Equity has raised $4.3 million in pre-Series A funding, led by Prosus Ventures with participation from Morgan Stanley Inclusive and Sustainable Ventures (MSISV). Founded in 2021 by Rawan Baddour and Zuhair Shamma, Zest Equity enables ecosystem players like founders and venture capitalists to sell their secondary shares online. The new funding will be deployed to grow Zest's presence in the KSA and UAE, acquire specialised talent, develop new products, and scale the technology infrastructure to support growing volumes and types of transactions.

• Calo absorbs Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen in UK launch
  Summary: Saudi-HQ’d personalised meal platform Calo has launched in the UK and acquired Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen, two of London’s most established meal delivery brands. The move marks Calo’s first expansion beyond the Gulf and sets the stage for broader European growth. The UK was a “logical next step,” according to Calo UK GM Caspar Rose, due to timezone alignment, shared language, and a cultural fit with the brand’s health-focused ethos.

--- (أحمد طقاطقه) ---