Product&Growth Show 85 – Super-apps, Building Products at Careem, and Venture Capital in MENA with Rayan Dawud, Cercli
Sep 7, 2024
Rayan Dawud, Product & Operations at Cercli and former lead at Careem, shares insights from his journey in the tech landscape of MENA. He compares the MENA and UK tech ecosystems, diving into the evolution of Careem as a super-app and its innovative product culture. Rayan discusses the highs and lows of transitioning from a product operator to venture capital and the unique challenges of raising funds in the region. He also highlights the personal impact of payroll issues and emphasizes the essential role of empathy in both product development and venture capital.
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Differences Between MENA and London Tech Ecosystems
- The MENA tech ecosystem is younger and evolving from transactional e-commerce to sectors like crypto and AI, differing from London's mature, education-rooted tech scene.
- London benefits from top universities and research, producing a more mature talent pool tackling different problems.
Careem's Mixed Product Ventures
- Rayan launched a roadside assistance product at Careem aggregating local service vans, which ultimately failed due to payment and product issues.
- He contrasted this with a successful bike-sharing program partnership with Dubai's government, highlighting collaboration benefits.
The Decline of Super-apps
- The super-app trend in emerging markets largely failed because services became commoditized and customers used multiple apps interchangeably.
- Companies are shifting focus to excelling at fewer core services rather than expanding into many.