VC React Podcast:

Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. Stay tuned for: expert analysis, independent opinions, and maybe some heated conversations! Host: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Co-Host: Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fwdstart.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Guests:

1. Hamed Masri, Partner @ Silicon Badia - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamed-masri-935b101/ - VC Firm Website: https://www.siliconbadia.com/ 2. Hussein Attar, CEO @ Tech Invest Com - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/husseinattar/ - VC Firm Website: https://techinvestcom.com/ - Hussein Attar’s Free Ecosystem Directory: https://www.husseinattar.com/en/saudi-entrepreneurship-guide/

--- #startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatechange #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #DeFi ---

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart. In Today's Episode:

- MENA podcast platform Podeo raises $5.4m in series A round Source: Gulf Business Summary: UAE-based podcast distribution platform Podeo has raised a Series A of $5.4 million, led by Oraseya Capital, with participation from Ibtikar Fund, Cedar Mundi Ventures, Samarium, iSME, and returning investor Razor Capital. Founded by Stefano Fallaha, Anthony Essaye, and Mario Hayek in Lebanon in 2020, Podeo allows creators to monetise their content through their end-to-end platform. - Coral Announces Closure of Seed Round Funding, Raising $3 Million to Transform Carbon Emission Management Source: Coral Summary: Coral, a UAE-based climatetech startup, has closed a $3 million seed round led by seasoned tech investors. The company offers an AI-driven platform that simplifies carbon emission management, footprint evaluation, reporting, and offsetting. Coral's blockchain-based solution ensures full lifecycle traceability of carbon credits and real-time auditability of offsets. Key partnerships include Nissan’s Formula E team, and its Emissions Management System (EMS) is live with several clients. - Saudi Arabia’s Quantum raises investment from HearstLab Source: Wamda Summary: Saudi Arabia-based adtech Quantum has secured funding as part of its $7 million Pre-Series-A round from HearstLab, the investment arm of Hearst Corporation. Quantum is also backed by 500 Global, Vision Ventures, Sukna Ventures, and Tech Invest Com. Founded in 2020 by Omar Malaikah and Sara Bin Ladin, Quantum’s platform allows advertisers to select their preferred publishers and purchase ad space directly, while also offering robust data analytics and ROI metrics to maximise campaign impact. This marks HearstLab’s inaugural investment in the Middle East. - Egypt: Beltone Venture Capital invests in France-based VelyVelo Source: Zawya Summary: Beltone Venture Capital, a subsidiary of Beltone Holding, has made its first international investment by acquiring a strategic equity stake in VelyVelo, a French e-bike rental company, according to a disclosure. The size of the investment was not disclosed. Specialising in fleet management with a full-service subscription model. Currently, VelyVelo operates over 5,000 electric bikes for delivery drivers, freelancers, and transport companies, with a presence in both the French and Moroccan markets. --- (أحمد طقاطقه) ---

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