Latest news with #StartupScene
CairoScene
09-06-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
When Sharks Collide: Robert Herjavec Meets Abdallah Sallam
StartupScene brings together Shark Tank America's Robert Herjavec and Egypt's Abdallah Sallam for a one-of-a-kind crossover conversation between two sharks who know how to spot a winner. Jun 09, 2025 What happens when the worlds of Shark Tank US and Shark Tank Egypt finally meet? In an exclusive for StartupScene in Cairo, we brought together Robert Herjavec, investor and longtime Shark on the hit American show Shark Tank, with Abdallah Sallam, President & CEO of Madinat Masr and one of the leading faces of Shark Tank Egypt. Together, they sat down for a wide-ranging conversation about startups, instincts, risks, deals that got away, and what it really means to back a founder. The chemistry was instant. The stories? Unfiltered. And the insights? Worth taking notes. From Robert's reflections on investing in founders who 'have something to prove,' to Abdallah's take on what makes a startup scale in the MENA region, this wasn't your average media interview. It was a genuine peer-to-peer exchange between two business minds who know what it means to put skin in the game. They talked candidly about what sets the Egyptian ecosystem apart, how entrepreneurs in emerging markets pitch differently, and why venture capital is as much about pattern recognition as it is about gut instinct. There were laughs, eye rolls, comparisons, and shared lessons from opposite sides of the globe - filmed right here in Cairo. This exclusive conversation marks a rare moment: the crossover of two global formats, two distinct markets, and two investors who rarely get a moment to just talk. No timers. No pitches. Just two sharks comparing notes - and giving us a front-row seat.
CairoScene
24-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
EQIQ Ventures Doubles Fund to $30M to Boost Iraq's Digital Economy
From London to Baghdad, EQIQ Ventures is betting on Iraq's overlooked potential to build a new digital economy. May 24, 2025 Abu Dhabi-based venture capital firm EQIQ Ventures has doubled its fund size from $15 million to $30 million, reinforcing its commitment to Iraq's emerging digital economy. The fund will target sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, logistics, and digital infrastructure, aiming to back both new ventures and scale-ups. Founded by Mohamed Al-Hakim and Said Rahmani, EQIQ Ventures was created to tackle a gap few investors have entered. The firm plans to allocate 80% of its capital towards building an interconnected startup ecosystem in Iraq—one that supports growth through shared infrastructure, regional talent networks, and customer pipelines. 'Iraq has significant untapped potential underpinned by a young, vibrant, and tech-savvy population that is hungry to achieve,' Mohamed Al-Hakim, Founder of EQIQ Ventures, tells StartupScene. 'The country is underserved in many sectors; capital has been scarce as investors have been cautious to enter a market they know little about.' Since closing its first $15 million tranche in January 2023, EQIQ has secured backing from regional and local investors, many of whom see Iraq's post-conflict stabilisation as a unique opportunity to invest in scalable, locally embedded tech solutions.
CairoScene
06-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Dawarha Sah Ep02: Turning Ideas into Impact with Yoeil Waheed
Dawarha Sah Ep02: Turning Ideas into Impact with Yoeil Waheed Episode two of StartupScene x Falak Startups Dawarha Sah dives into everything IP. Episode two features Yoeil Waheeb, CEO and Co-Founder of Progressio Solutions and Leader of the One Million Minds initiative. Starting as an inventor, Yoeil shares his journey of transforming groundbreaking innovations into profitable business models through strategic intellectual property licensing and R&D commercialization. The conversation covers how Progressio Solutions monetizes inventions without ever producing physical products, the powerful impact of intellectual property in today's economy, and how businesses can effectively license technology to major global companies. Yoeil also discusses the role of Egypt's evolving regulatory environment in protecting and incentivizing innovation. Tune in for a unique look at how creativity, patents, and strategic partnerships can shape a thriving, sustainable business model. Dawarha Sah is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders navigating Egypt's evolving startup landscape. With deep dives into business, investment, innovation, and policy, Dawarha Sah unpacks the critical forces shaping the region's economy. From funding strategies and AI adoption to patent licensing, R&D, and regulatory frameworks, Dawarha Sah brings together top investors, founders, and experts to explore what it takes to build, scale, and sustain a successful business. Hosted by government relations consultant Dania Ghoneim, the podcast leverages her extensive experience in risk management, policy advocacy, and business lobbying to provide real-world insights into the challenges and opportunities facing startups today. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Anghami
CairoScene
17-04-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Dawarha Sah EP01 - Betting on Bold Ideas with Tarek Fahim
Dawarha Sah EP01 - Betting on Bold Ideas with Tarek Fahim Introducing the first episode of StartupScene + Falak Startups new podcast series that tackles the tough questions of entrepreneurship, investment and regulation in Egypt. StartUpScene in partnership with Falak Startups presents Dawarha Sah, the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders navigating Egypt's evolving startup landscape. With deep dives into business, investment, innovation, and policy, 'Dawarha Sah' unpacks the critical forces shaping the region's economy. From funding strategies and AI adoption to patent licensing, R&D, and regulatory frameworks, Dawarha Sah brings together top investors, founders, and experts to explore what it takes to build, scale, and sustain a successful business. Hosted by government relations consultant Dania Ghoneim, the podcast leverages her extensive experience in risk management, policy advocacy, and business lobbying to provide real-world insights into the challenges and opportunities facing startups today. The first episode kicks off with Tarek Fahim, Managing Partner at Endure Capital, an early investor in Careem, Breadfast, Boom Supersonic, MaxAB, and Thndr. The conversation dives into what makes a startup fundable, the red flags investors look for, and how to balance instinct with data in VC decision-making. Tarek also shares the biggest risks he's taken—and the ones he regrets missing out on. Tune in for an unfiltered look at startup investment and what it really takes to secure funding. Listen to it now on Spotify, Anghami or watch the full episode below.
CairoScene
17-04-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Dawarah Sah EP01 - Betting on Bold Ideas with Tarek Fahim
Dawarah Sah EP01 - Betting on Bold Ideas with Tarek Fahim Introducing the first episode of StartupScene + Falak Startups new podcast series that tackles the tough questions of entrepreneurship, investment and regulation in Egypt. StartUpScene in partnership with Falak Startups presents Dawarha Sah, the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders navigating Egypt's evolving startup landscape. With deep dives into business, investment, innovation, and policy, 'Darwaha Sah' unpacks the critical forces shaping the region's economy. From funding strategies and AI adoption to patent licensing, R&D, and regulatory frameworks, Dawarha Sah brings together top investors, founders, and experts to explore what it takes to build, scale, and sustain a successful business. Hosted by government relations consultant Dania Ghoneim, the podcast leverages her extensive experience in risk management, policy advocacy, and business lobbying to provide real-world insights into the challenges and opportunities facing startups today. The first episode kicks off with Tarek Fahim, Managing Partner at Endure Capital, an early investor in Careem, Breadfast, Boom Supersonic, MaxAB, and Thndr. The conversation dives into what makes a startup fundable, the red flags investors look for, and how to balance instinct with data in VC decision-making. Tarek also shares the biggest risks he's taken—and the ones he regrets missing out on. Tune in for an unfiltered look at startup investment and what it really takes to secure funding. Listen to it now on Spotify, Anghami or watch the full episode below.
