The Evergreen Fund Model, Patience In VC, Collaboration Over Competition, & More: VC Evolve Podcast with Aboudi Al-Qattan of Dash Ventures

VC Evolve Podcast
Written By Ahmad Takatkah
 
 

Guest Intro:

Aboudi Al-Qattan isa principal at Dash Ventures, one of the longest-standing VC firms in MENA, with a 13-year track record of venture investing.

Prior to Dash Ventures, Aboudi was the founder of AlTareeq, A social enterprise that empowered refugees across the Middle East by teaching entrepreneurship skills.

And listen to this!! He was a professional basketball player! Who won 5 straight local championships! He also co-hosts “Beyond The Buzzer” a podcast that explores the interplay of adversity, success, and balance for high performance athletes.

In today's episode with Aboudi:

Highlights:

  • Aboudi's unique background as a professional basketball player adds a dynamic perspective to venture capital.

  • Dash Ventures focuses on startups with global potential, emphasizing long-term sustainability.

  • The evergreen investment model allows for patient capital and flexibility in supporting portfolio companies.

  • The importance of collaboration among VCs in the MENA region to build a thriving ecosystem.

  • Learning from failures is essential for improving the quality of startups in the region.

  • Growth funds are crucial for helping companies transition from early-stage to public markets.

  • Continuous education and adapting strategies from developed markets can guide MENA’s VC ecosystem.

Key Insights:

  • Patience in Venture Capital: Aboudi highlights that successful investing in the MENA region requires a long-term view, as many LPs have learned from past mistakes. The focus should be on nurturing businesses rather than seeking quick returns.

  • Evergreen Investment Model: This model allows Dash Ventures to recycle capital from successful exits back into new investments, promoting sustainability and flexibility, which is essential in emerging markets.

  • Collaboration Over Competition: In a developing ecosystem, collaboration among VCs is necessary to foster growth and create a robust market, as mutual success benefits all players involved.

  • Quality Over Quantity: The ongoing improvement in startup quality in MENA stems from past failures, where entrepreneurs now focus on sustainability and profitability, leading to more resilient ventures.

  • Role of Growth Funds: Establishing growth funds is vital for scaling startups from Series A to public offerings, which can enhance liquidity and attract more international interest.

  • Learning from Global Markets: The MENA region can leverage lessons learned from developed markets, adapting successful strategies while avoiding common pitfalls, which can lead to a more sustainable ecosystem.

  • Continuous Learning: Aboudi emphasizes the importance of ongoing education and adaptation in the VC landscape, encouraging investors to stay informed about trends and best practices to better support founders.

VC Evolve Podcast:

Conversations about the future of VC. We talk about the Venture Capital model evolution: How has VC evolved in the past? What innovations are being introduced to the traditional VC model? What will it look like in the future? We also talk about VC data, VC books, VC tech stack, VC funds, VC skill set, challenges, opportunities, and more.

VC Evolve Podcast is hosted by VCpreneur: Ahmad Takatkah.

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Ahmad Takatkah
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