The Next Big Thing? 24SIX9.com! Is it possible to pursue innovation in the Middle East and get VC support or are we destined to copy what is successful somewhere else? What can the UAE ecosystem learn from the Saudi investment culture? What is the right approach to promote the sense of ownership within your team? What are VCs really doing in the GCC region? Tech vs. Tech-Enabled. What’s the difference? A lot of traditional businesses in the region rely on manual intervention. How can we optimize them through tech implementation? How to survive as a startup founder?
Don’t miss the first episode of The Next Big Thing – The 24SIX9 Community Podcast, where serial entrepreneurs debate about the obstacles of going from zero to one in a region more interested in supporting incremental enhancements.
What are VCs really doing in the GCC region? | The Next Big Thing – S01 E01
Joining The Next Big Thing 24six9 on this episode:
► Jamil Shinawi – Co-Founder and CEO of AHOY.technology the startup that generates daily 50millions USD of GDP for countries, AHOY is a new-age tech startup that is raising the bar in user experience and operational excellence through its versatile tech stack and products for movement automation and efficiency.
► Karim Helal – Co-Founder and CEO of ProTenders Inc. The #1 Platform for the Construction Industry to Connect, Track & Procure. Whether you’re looking to grow your construction business, expand to new markets, find new products and partners, or streamline your tendering process, ProTenders is the only Platform you’ll need. Reduce your Risk & Increase your ROI: eTendering, USD 30B+, Processed Bids: 1500+, Managed Tenders: 25M+, Shared Pages: 10,000+, Collaborations
► Kevin Czok – Co-Founder of Hotel Data Cloud HDC enables hotels to increase bookings, by efficiently distributing content and information to booking channels. Incubators & Accelerators Manager at Emirates Group: Driving Innovation in Aviation, Travel & Tourism through Intelak & Aviation X Lab
► Kayode Odeleye – Co-Founder of CAENA Enabling Access to Capital for Founders. Join 6,000+ founders powering their fundraise with Caena!
SEO-Optimized Supported by Glocal Video Summary: Navigating the Startup Ecosystem in the GCC Region – A Comprehensive Guide
00:00:00 – The Startup Ecosystem’s Hidden Challenges
Why is honesty scarce in the GCC startup ecosystem? Experts discuss the lack of transparency and feedback, especially from tech media and VCs. They shed light on the invite-only nature of many events and the hurdles in securing VC funding without the right connections.
00:05:00 – The Angel Investor Landscape
Why are angel investors crucial? The speaker emphasizes their role in the GCC startup scene, highlighting the challenges in accessing these “street-smart” investors. Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning business activities are also discussed, urging neighboring countries like the UAE to step up their game.
00:10:00 – The Evolving Role of Angel Investors
Why is the angel investor scene changing? The speaker notes a shift towards tech investments, spurred by successful exits. However, they point out the challenges in finding such investors in the UAE and stress the need for a unified regional ecosystem.
00:15:00 – GCC vs. Global Startup Ecosystems
Why are GCC startups different? The speaker compares the GCC startup ecosystem with those in Israel and the UK, emphasizing the local market focus and funding challenges in the GCC. They also highlight the unique attributes of the Silicon Valley ecosystem.
00:20:00 – The VC Funding Conundrum
Why are VCs risk-averse? The speaker discusses the challenges startups face in attracting VC funding in the GCC, criticizing the conservative mindset prevalent among regional VCs and calling for a more innovative approach.
00:25:00 – The Diversity Gap in VC Funding
Why is diversity lacking? The speaker discusses the skewed demographics in VC funding, not just in the GCC but also in Silicon Valley. They advocate for a risk-taking, innovative approach to funding, rather than geographical limitations.
00:30:00 – Attracting International Capital
Why go international? Speakers offer strategies for GCC startups to attract international capital, including bootstrapping and leveraging government support in markets like Saudi Arabia.
00:35:00 – The Balanced Approach to Tech Startups
Why balance matters? Speakers discuss the importance of a balanced approach in building a tech company, emphasizing the need for both capital and skilled entrepreneurs.
00:40:00 – The Role of VCs in the Ecosystem
Why should VCs diversify? The speaker stresses the importance of a varied investment thesis and the role of VCs as intermediaries, emphasizing the need for a supportive ecosystem.
00:45:00 – The Empathy Deficit Among VCs
Why is empathy important? Speakers discuss the lack of emotional intelligence among VCs in the GCC, contrasting it with more supportive ecosystems like Berlin.
00:50:00 – The Power of Community and Personal Connections
Why do connections matter? Speakers share experiences with investors, emphasizing the importance of community support and positive communication in the startup ecosystem.
00:55:00 – The Growing Entrepreneurial Community
Why community growth is vital? The speaker celebrates the growth of the entrepreneurial community in the GCC, acknowledging the collective efforts and looking forward to future collaborations.
This comprehensive guide offers invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the GCC startup ecosystem, making it a must-watch for entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders in the region.
How to survive as a startup founder? | The Next Big Thing – S01 E02
Joining The Next Big Thing 24six9 on this episode:
► Darshan Thakkar – CFO of AHOY.technology the startup that generates daily 50millions USD of GDP of countries, AHOY is a new-age tech startup that is raising the bar in user experience and operational excellence through its versatile tech stack and products for movement automation and efficiency.
► Olga Nayda – Co-Founder and CEO of Gloc.al SEO Platform generated millions of new multilingual website visitors through automatic Search Engine Optimisation in up to 109 languages in the 300 biggest cities worldwide!
► Zohare Haider – Co-Founder and CEO of Jalebi.io The World’s Only Inventory-First Restaurant Operating System.
► Karim Beidas – Founder and CEO of Kidzapp
SEO-Optimized Supported by Glocal Video Summary: Mastering the Art of Startup Well-Being – A Comprehensive Guide for Entrepreneurs
00:00:00 – The Cold Chicken and Cryotherapy Connection
Why do founders talk about cold therapies? Dive into a lighthearted discussion about cold chicken, cryotherapy, and ice bucket challenges as coping mechanisms for startup stress. Learn how these practices help entrepreneurs reset and recharge.
00:05:00 – The Art of “Switching Off” for Startup Founders
Why is “switching off” crucial? Speakers discuss the importance of taking time to reflect and disconnect from work. Learn how different founders “switch off” to gain perspective and realign their goals.
00:10:00 – Mindfulness: The Startup Founder’s Secret Weapon
Why be mindful? Explore the role of mindfulness and self-awareness in managing the stress and challenges of entrepreneurship. Discover personalized tools and techniques to stay present and make better decisions.
00:15:00 – External Stress Factors and Startup Resilience
Why is resilience key? Understand the societal pressures and external factors contributing to startup stress. Learn the importance of a supportive family and ecosystem in building resilience and adapting to challenges.
00:20:00 – Financial Stress and Rational Decision-Making
Why prepare for the worst? Discuss the stress of salary and financial stability, and how accepting worst-case scenarios can lead to rational decision-making. Gain insights from founders who navigated challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
00:25:00 – Transparency and Communication: A Balancing Act
Why be transparent? Learn the importance of open communication within a startup, especially during tough times. Discover how to balance sharing information with your team while avoiding unnecessary chaos.
00:30:00 – Ostrich vs. Faith-Based Approaches to Startup Stress
Why choose an approach? Explore two different methods for dealing with startup stress: the ostrich approach and the faith-based approach. Understand the individual journeys of bootstrapped and VC-backed founders.
00:35:00 – The Psychological Depth of Entrepreneurship
Why do we start? Delve into the deep psychological motivations behind entrepreneurship. Learn the importance of community and personal well-being in navigating the startup journey.
00:40:00 – Personal Lives and Startup Convictions
Why personal lives matter? Hear founders discuss how their personal lives influenced their startups. Learn how conviction and determination helped them overcome challenges and manifest success.
00:45:00 – The Power of Autonomous Teams and Learning from Mistakes
Why autonomy matters? Understand the importance of having a team that takes ownership and learns from mistakes. Get book recommendations that can help you embrace imperfections and grow.
This all-encompassing guide offers invaluable insights into the well-being of startup founders, making it a must-watch for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in the startup ecosystem.
Tech vs. Tech-enabled. What’s the difference? | The Next Big Thing – S01 E03
Joining The Next Big Thing 24six9 on this episode:
► Gerard Sansoni – Co-founder and Director of AHOY.technology the startup that generates daily 50millions USD of GDP of countries, AHOY is a new-age tech startup that is raising the bar in user experience and operational excellence through its versatile tech stack and products for movement automation and efficiency.
► Mahmoud Gao – Founder and CEO of Mr. Draper
► Gabriel Bacha – Co-Founder of WeScaleVentures: There’s a better way to grow your business. Fast.
We are experts in B2B sales. We help businesses increase their revenue and optimize their sales process. Our team of dedicated professionals are here to help you get the most out of your sales efforts.
► Aleksei Dolgikh – Co-Founder and CVO of Gloc.al SEO Platform generated millions of new multilingual website visitors through automatic Search Engine Optimisation in up to 109 languages in the 300 biggest cities worldwide!
SEO-Optimized Supported by Glocal Video Summary: Navigating the Tech Landscape – Tech Companies vs. Tech-Enabled Companies and the Future of the Middle East’s Tech Ecosystem
00:00:00 – Tech Company vs. Tech-Enabled Company: The Crucial Distinction
Why the confusion? Participants dissect the difference between being a tech company and a tech-enabled company. They explore how investors often misvalue these entities and discuss the role of business models and fixed vs. variable costs in evaluating them.
00:05:00 – Intellectual Property and the Tech Sector’s Image Problem
Why is IP important? The conversation delves into the role of intellectual property in tech and tech-enabled companies. It also highlights concerns about inflated valuations and the commoditization of AI, emphasizing the importance of unique data.
00:10:00 – The Data Differentiator: Public vs. Private Data
Why does data quality matter? The speaker discusses the role of data in distinguishing tech companies from tech-enabled ones, emphasizing the importance of data quality and citing examples like Fingerprint JS for bot detection.
00:15:00 – Transforming the Middle East into a Tech Hub
Why is the Middle East lagging? The conversation shifts to what it will take for the Middle East to evolve from tech-enabled businesses to a full-fledged tech hub, focusing on education, funding, and customer base development.
00:20:00 – The Rise of New Generation Funds and Homegrown Champions
Why invest in local tech? The speaker discusses the importance of local investment and the emergence of new generation funds, emphasizing the need for homegrown technology and acknowledging positive ecosystem trends.
00:25:00 – Traditional vs. Tech-Enabled Businesses: The Efficiency Equation
Why adopt tech? Speakers discuss the hesitancy of traditional businesses to adopt technology and emphasize the need for education and alignment between industries and tech services.
00:30:00 – Addressing Verticals in Smaller Markets
Why focus on pain points? The speaker discusses the landscape of tech-enabled companies in smaller markets, emphasizing the importance of understanding partner pain points and providing tailored solutions.
00:35:00 – Selling Tech Solutions: The Customer-Centric Approach
Why understand customer needs? The conversation revolves around the importance of a customer-centric approach in selling tech solutions and the need for tech talent in the region.
00:40:00 – Bridging the Gap: Tech Talent Meets Business Sense
Why pair tech with business? The discussion centers on the need for a platform that pairs tech talent with business experts to solve real-world challenges, emphasizing community building and talent retention.
This comprehensive guide offers invaluable insights into the complex landscape of tech and tech-enabled companies, making it a must-watch for investors, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders interested in the future of the Middle East’s tech ecosystem.
No, that’s not really AI | The Next Big Thing – S01 E04
Joining The Next Big Thing 24six9 on this episode:
► Jamil Shinawi – Co-Founder and CEO of AHOY.technology the startup that generates daily 50millions USD of GDP of countries, AHOY is a new-age tech startup that is raising the bar in user experience and operational excellence through its versatile tech stack and products for movement automation and efficiency.
► Ayman Alashkar – Founder and CEO of Overwrite.ai
► Hood Khizer – Tech Director of AHOY.technology the startup that generates daily 50millions USD of GDP for countries, AHOY is a new-age tech startup that is raising the bar in user experience and operational excellence through its versatile tech stack and products for movement automation and efficiency.
► Muhammad Sarfraz – Co-Founder & CTO of Datalyticx
SEO-Optimized Supported by Glocal Video Summary: Unpacking the AI Hype – From Misuse to Investment Drivers and the Future of Artificial Intelligence
00:00:00 – Is the AI Hype Justified? The Reality Check
Why the skepticism? Participants discuss whether the current hype around AI is justified, touching on the misuse of the term and the evolving role of statistical models in AI.
00:05:00 – The Evolution of AI: From Game Bots to Generative Models
Why the change? Speakers explore how the term “AI” has evolved over the years, from game bots to generative AI, and question the marketing gimmicks surrounding it.
00:10:00 – The Misuse of AI: Startups, Funding, and Confusion
Why the exaggeration? The speaker discusses the misuse of the term “AI” in startups and the need for accurate labeling, using an amusing AI-generated pizza example.
00:15:00 – Real AI vs. Sales Buzz: The Metaverse and Investment Trends
Why the hype cycles? Speakers discuss the distinction between real AI and sales buzz, criticizing venture capitalists for trend-chasing and emphasizing long-term investment.
00:20:00 – What Really Constitutes AI? The Complex Definition
Why the debate? Participants discuss the criteria for defining AI, acknowledging its broad scope and the role of large language models like GPT-3.
00:25:00 – The Limitations and Challenges of AI: Investment Drivers
Why the fear? The speaker discusses the limitations of AI and the irrational fear that often drives investment, concluding that human nature pushes boundaries.
00:30:00 – Fear-Driven Investment: The Case of Uber and Disruptive Tech
Why the fear? The discussion revolves around the role of fear in driving investments into disruptive technologies like Uber, questioning human motivations.
00:35:00 – Irrationality in AI Investment: Fear, Hype, and Regional Context
Why the irrationality? The conversation touches on the irrational drivers of investment in AI, including fear and media-generated hype.
00:40:00 – Regional Tech and Investment: The Fear of Failure
Why the glass ceiling? The discussion centers on the lack of value placed on local technologies and the cultural fear of failure hindering progress.
00:45:00 – True AI or Not? The Debate Continues
Why the disagreement? Speakers discuss their examples of AI, questioning whether models like Chad GPT constitute true AI and exploring the limitations of emotional AI.
00:50:00 – Quantifying Emotions: The Complexity Beyond AI
Why the complexity? The conversation explores the concept of quantifying emotions and the limitations of AI in understanding human happiness.
This comprehensive guide dives deep into the complexities of AI, from its misuse and hype to investment drivers and limitations. A must-watch for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
October 5, 2023
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