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๐ŸŽง Podcast๐ŸŽง Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #34)
May 12, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #34)

Two stories that hint at how exits are evolving in the region โ€” from a cybersecurity acquisition that keeps the core team and tech intact, to a surprise IPO push from one of Silicon Valleyโ€™s most controversial founders, now looking east.

Jamie Lane
๐ŸŽง Podcast๐ŸŽง Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #33)
May 07, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #33)

Four moves that speak to a maturing ecosystem โ€” from a pre-IPO restructure and SME fintech, to infra for private markets and a rare outbound acquisition from the Gulf.

Jamie Lane
๐ŸŽง Podcast๐ŸŽง Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #32)
Apr 29, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #32)

A dealmaking trifecta that cuts across edtech, crypto, and venture strategy โ€” from the first signs of an M&A path in Arabic learning, to one of the largest token collapses MENAโ€™s seen this year, to a global VC fund leaning into replication across emerging markets.

Jamie Lane
๐ŸŽง Podcast๐ŸŽง Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #31)
Apr 14, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #31)

Exploring what it looks like when founders expand with intent โ€” from cross-border B2B consolidation and fintech infrastructure built for Gulf markets, to Cairo-born chips powering AI data centres, and the next phase of online grocery competition in Saudi Arabia.

Jamie Lane
๐ŸŽง Podcast๐ŸŽง Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #30)
Mar 31, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #30)

Exploring what it looks like when local founders tackle legacy systems head-on โ€” from automating debt collection and rebuilding Africaโ€™s financial rails, to creating real-time AI dubbing engines that break language barriers at scale.

Jamie Lane
๐ŸŽง Podcast๐ŸŽง Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #28)
Mar 17, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #28)

Breaking down Talabatโ€™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
๐ŸŽง Podcast๐ŸŽง Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #27)
Mar 02, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #27)

Big funding rounds, a major acquisition, and cake.

Jamie Lane
๐ŸŽง Podcast๐ŸŽง Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #26)
Feb 23, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #26)

A rare surge of startup acquisitions sweeps MENA, and with Qatar attracting major VCs like Human Capital, Utopia, and Builders VC, we debated whether Doha is emerging as a deeptech hub and how its startup ecosystem strategy stacks up against Saudi and the UAE.

Jamie Lane
๐ŸŽง Podcast๐ŸŽง Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #25)
Feb 18, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #25)

Reviewing LEAP 2025, Tabby achieves $3.3BN valuation, the rise of construction tech and capital continues to pour in for early-stage funds

Jamie Lane
๐ŸŽง Podcast๐ŸŽง Podcast
VC React Podcast (Episode #24)
Feb 10, 2025

VC React Podcast (Episode #24)

Saudi fintech and building AI agents for MENA

Jamie Lane
MENA start-up, VC and tech stories direct to your inbox twice a week ๐ŸŒ

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MENA start-up, VC and tech stories direct to your inbox twice a week ๐ŸŒ

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