VC React Podcast (E30): Build quietly? Credit Score or AI, FinTech In Africa, Freaky AI Dubbing!

Apr 1, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

VC React Podcast:

Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds.

---

Hosts:

Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.vcpreneur.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fwdstart.me/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

---

Available on:

---

Guests:

1. Cristina Bullon, Principal @ Incubayt Investments

- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-bullon/

- VC Firm Website: https://www.incubayt.com/

2. Philipe Moura, Founder & CEO @ Vinci Ventures and president of FDC Angels

- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipemoura/

- VC Firm Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinciventures/about/

3. Sara Asad, A venture capitalist and ex-Endeavor

- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraasad/

---

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

---

Sponsors:

💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle.

Visit: www.weareocta.com/fwdstart to get your first 6 months free.

---

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.

In Today's Episode:

- ClearGrid emerges from stealth with $10M to modernise debt collection in MENA with AI

Summary: Dubai-based ClearGrid has emerged from stealth with $10 million in pre-seed and seed funding, aiming to modernise debt collection and recovery with AI-driven automation. The round includes a $3.5M pre-seed co-led by RAED Ventures and BECO Capital, and a $6.5M seed round co-led by Nuwa Capital and RAED Ventures. Founded in 2023 by Mohammad Al Zaben, Khalid Bin Bader Al Saud, and Mohammad Al Khalili, ClearGrid was created to address a major gap in the debt collection industry, where manual processes, outdated infrastructure, and aggressive recovery tactics still dominate.

- enza Secures USD 6.75M to Advance Financial Inclusion in Africa

Summary: UAE-based fintech enza has secured a $6.75 million seed equity round, co-led by Algebra Ventures and Quona Capital. Founded in 2023 by Hany Fekry, enza’s payment solutions allow banks and fintechs to provide locally relevant payment capabilities, including cards, wallets, and real-time payments. With a presence in Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, the new capital infusion will enable enza to strengthen its presence across other key markets in Africa.

- Dubai-based Camb.ai raises $11m to scale AI voice dubbing and video localisation

Summary: CAMB.AI (🇦🇪 UAE), an AI-powered voice translation and dubbing platform helping content creators localise videos in multiple languages, has secured an $11 million Pre-Series A funding round. Investors include TRTL Ventures, Accelerate Ventures, 5Point Ventures, Oraseya Capital, Courtside Ventures, Dubai Future District Fund, and Comcast NBCU SportsTech, bringing the startup’s total funding to $15.5 million. Additionally, CAMB.AI announced a multi-year partnership with France’s soccer governing body, LFP, becoming its official global language solution.

---(أحمد طقاطقه)---