VC React Podcast VC React Podcast (E45): Anthropic's hypocrisy, xAI In Saudi, Qlub $30M Round, 500 Global $300M Fund
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.
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Hosts:
- Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on https://www.vcpreneur.com/
- Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on https://archives.fwdstart.me/
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Available on:
- Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@VCReactPodcast
- Spotify:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-react-podcast
- Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384
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Guests:
1. Abe Seksek, An Angel Investor & Host of the ABEZ Show
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abeseksek/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.thelaunchventures.com/
2. Amer Nasereddin, VC at Fikr Ventures, Board Member & Co-founder @ Yaseer
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amernasereddin/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.fikrventures.com/
3. Chada El Islam Benmahcene, CEO @ ENTROGX Ventures, & Co-founder @ Women Collective
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benchada/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrogx
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#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #business #ipo #acquisitions #fintech #edtech #accelerator #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi
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Sponsors:
💸This week’s episode is brought to you by:
- MilkStraw AI — The AI that finds hidden savings in your AWS bills, sometimes up to 75%, freeing up capital for growth, hiring, or building faster. See how much you could save in 60 seconds and how much further your runway can go at MilkStraw.aiWebsite: https://www.milkstraw.ai/
- 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.
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News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.
In Today's Episode:
- “Not thrilled about it”: Anthropic rethinks Gulf capital stance to fund AI growth
Summary: In a leaked internal memo, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei confirms that the company is now exploring investment from the UAE and Qatar – a reversal of its 2024 stance on Gulf capital, when it declined funding from Saudi Arabia over “national‑security concerns.”
- Elon Musk’s xAI eyes Saudi Arabia for next wave of data centre expansion
Summary: Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, is in early talks to lease data centre capacity in Saudi Arabia, as it hunts for energy-rich regions with capital depth and geopolitical alignment to scale its compute infrastructure, according to Bloomberg.
- Qlub raises $30M to take UAE-born dining payments platform global
Summary: Qlub allows customers to instantly scan a QR code to view the menu, order, split the bill, and pay without waiting for a server or using a card machine. Founded in 2021 by Eyad Alkassar and Mahmoud Fouz, Qlub has quickly become a go-to digital layer for the hospitality sector. Its new funding round, co-led by long-time backers Shorooq Partners and Cherry Ventures, also saw participation from telecom giant e&, sovereign investor Mubadala, and Legend Capital.
- 500 Global launches $300M Sustainable Growth initiative from new Abu Dhabi base
Summary: 500 Global is doubling down on emerging markets with the launch of a new Sustainable Growth practice based in Abu Dhabi and plans to deploy up to $300 million into startups solving critical challenges across Africa, Brazil, India, and the Gulf over the next two years.
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