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Rise, fall & reinvention
Mar 19, 2025

Rise, fall & reinvention

An honest reflection with Idriss Al Rifai on Fetchr’s hypergrowth, what went wrong, the isolation of being a founder, and the emotional cost of tying self-worth to a company, plus hard-won lessons on hiring, scaling, and the $140 billion SME financing opportunity in MENA.

Jamie Lane
🎧 Podcast🎧 Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #28)
Mar 17, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #28)

Breaking down Talabat’s unusual acquisition of InstaShop, a rumoured billion-dollar funding round for Saudi q-commerce outfit Ninja, and the evolution of BNPL in Saudi Arabia.

Jamie Lane
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
A 10x return for Saudi VC
Mar 14, 2025

A 10x return for Saudi VC

Lean banks Series B extension funding, Aramco Ventures doubles down on direct air capture, travel-tech Lokalee acquired for $12.8 million plus this week’s MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.

Jamie Lane, +1
📰 News📰 News
Aramco Ventures doubles down on direct air capture with investments in Spiritus and Ucaneo
Mar 14, 2025

Aramco Ventures doubles down on direct air capture with investments in Spiritus and Ucaneo

Established in 2012 and headquartered in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Aramco Ventures manages multiple VC programmes with a total allocation of $7 billion. ​

Jamie Lane
📰 News📰 News
Saudi VC Impact46 announces 10x exit from Tadawul-listed Rasan
Mar 14, 2025

Saudi VC Impact46 announces 10x exit from Tadawul-listed Rasan

The offering included 17.16% of Rasan’s issued share capital, priced at $18.40 per share, with a total size of $245 million, covered multiple times.

Jamie Lane
🎙️ Interview🎙️ Interview
+1+1
Tapping into the potential of Palestinian youth
Mar 12, 2025

Tapping into the potential of Palestinian youth

TAP’s transformation from manual job placement to AI-driven talent acceleration, how it's sustaining financial viability without compromising impact, and the realities of scaling a company in the face of relentless adversity.

Jamie Lane, +1
🗞️ Weekly round-up🗞️ Weekly round-up
MENA quick commerce is heating up
Mar 07, 2025

MENA quick commerce is heating up

Talabat acquires InstaShop, Ninja targets $1BN+ pre-IPO valuation, and Saudi BNPL Tamara receives SAMA license for consumer finance, plus this week’s MENA startup, VC, and tech news round-up.

Jamie Lane, +1
📰 News📰 News
BNPL Tamara receives SAMA license for consumer finance
Mar 06, 2025

BNPL Tamara receives SAMA license for consumer finance

This approval makes Tamara one of 65 licensed finance companies in Saudi Arabia, enabling it to serve a broader customer base and diversify its financial products.

Jamie Lane
📰 News📰 News
Saudi-Based Ninja Eyes $1B+ Valuation in New Funding Round
Mar 06, 2025

Saudi-Based Ninja Eyes $1B+ Valuation in New Funding Round

The quick commerce platform, which operates in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, is aiming for an IPO by 2027.

Jamie Lane
📰 News📰 News
🛒 UAE’s Talabat acquires instashop from Delivery Hero for $32 million
Mar 06, 2025

🛒 UAE’s Talabat acquires instashop from Delivery Hero for $32 million

Effective February 25, 2025, InstaShop will be consolidated into talabat’s financial accounts while continuing as an independent brand within talabat’s grocery and retail vertical.

Jamie Lane
🎙️ Interview🎙️ Interview
+1+1
Building the iTunes for spare parts
Mar 05, 2025

Building the iTunes for spare parts

Why the next industrial revolution will be local, breaking ‘pilot purgatory’ in deeptech sales, and the biggest misconceptions about additive manufacturing.

Jamie Lane, +1
🎧 Podcast🎧 Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #27)
Mar 02, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #27)

Big funding rounds, a major acquisition, and cake.

Jamie Lane
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