VC React Podcast (E15): Managing a Large Seed Fund, FoFs in MENA, Global vs. Local Startups & VCs

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/

Available on:

• Youtube: VC React Podcast

• Spotify: VC React Podcast

• Apple: VC React Podcast

• Amazon: VC React Podcast

Guests:

1. Asher Siddiqui, General Partner @ Sukna Ventures
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashersiddiqui/
- VC Firm Website: https://suknaventures.com/

2. Faris AlRashed, CEO @ Sharaka
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faris-alrashed-alhumaid-271b7210/
- VC Firm Website: https://sharaka.sa/en/home/

3. Tamer Al Salah, Managing Director @ Beyond Capital
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamer-al-salah-20a60616/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.beyondcapital.vc/

In Today's Episode:

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart:

• Saudi Venture Capital Invests $15M in a $90M VC Fund by Vision Ventures
  Source: Saudi Press Agency
  Summary: Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) said in a press release issued today that it is investing $15 million in Saqr Fund II, a venture capital fund managed by Vision Ventures. According to the release, Saqr Fund II, with a target size of $90 million, will invest in early-stage startups from pre-seed to pre-series B, with a sector-agnostic approach in Saudi Arabia and the larger MENA region.

• Ejari raises $14.65 million in debt-equity Seed round
  Source: Wamda
  Summary: Saudi Arabia-proptech Ejari has closed a $14.65 million seed round, which consists of a mix of debt and equity, led by Partners for Growth (PFG), BECO Capital, anb seed, Rua Ventures, Alinma Bank (Alinma Pay), Vision Ventures and Aqar platform, Saudi Arabia’s leading property listing platform. The round also saw the participation of the existing investor, Salica Oryx Fund. Founded in 2022 by Yazeed Al-Shamsi, Fahad Albedah, Mohammed Alkhelewy, and Khalid Almunif, Ejari offers a rent now, pay later (RNPL) solution tailored for Saudi Arabia’s real estate rental market. The new capital will allow Ejari to strengthen its market share within the residential RNPL space, enhance its product and service offerings, and solidify its position as a key player in the Saudi rental market's growing RNPL segment.

• UAE’s OCTA raises $2.25 million pre-Seed
  Source: Wamda
  Summary: The round is co-led by Quona Capital and Sadu Capital, with participation from Sukna Ventures, Plus VC, 500 Global, and notable angel investors, including Pawel Iwanow, Chief Payment Officer at Fresha, and Dom Monhardt, Director of Product Design at Tap Payments. Founded in early 2024 by Jon Santillan, Nupur Mittal and Andrey Korchak, the OCTA platform automates the process of collecting payments for SMEs, which improves cash flow management and reduces the pain of accounts receivable. OCTA has recently expanded into the Saudi market.

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