VC React Podcast (E19): More Global VCs In MENA, Talabat IPO, The AI Startup That Got Away, & More

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!

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:

• Youtube: VC React Podcast

• Spotify: VC React Podcast

• Apple: VC React Podcast

• Amazon: VC React Podcast

Guests:

1. Omar Sati, Managing Partner @ Dash Ventures
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ojsati/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.dashventures.com/

2. Yana El Dirani, Head of MENA @ Endeavor Catalyst
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yana-el-dirani/
- VC Firm Website: https://endeavor.org/

3. Zafer Younis, Founder & CEO @ Silicon Valley Venture & Innovation (SVVI)
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaferyounis/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.svvi.co/

In Today's Episode:

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart:

• Silicon Valley’s General Catalyst makes first investment into Saudi Arabia through fintech Lean Technologies
  Source: CNBC
  Summary: Silicon Valley venture capital firm General Catalyst has made its first investment in Saudi Arabia through fintech startup Lean Technologies, which just closed a Series B round worth $67.5 million. Lean Technologies’ fundraising round also saw participation from Bain Capital Ventures, Stanley Druckenmiller’s Duquesne Family Office, and Arbor Ventures, among others, bringing the Riyadh-based firm’s total funding to over $100 million to date. For three of those investors — General Catalyst, Stanley Druckenmiller and Bain Capital — this investment is their first in the kingdom.

• Talabat Eyes IPO That May Value It More Than Delivery Hero
  Source: Bloomberg
  Summary: Delivery Hero SE’s Middle Eastern subsidiary is looking to diversify beyond its core business of food and groceries delivery, a top executive said, after the firm teed up a share sale that could value it more than its parent company. Talabat is eying verticals including health care, beauty, pharmacy, pet services and fintech, its Chief Executive Officer Tomaso Rodriguez said in an interview. “We strongly believe that every single dollar we invest in expanding these areas has a much better return than a geographical expansion at this point.” Emirates NBD, one of the banks on the IPO, said Talabat could be worth up to $14.4 billion, while Bloomberg Intelligence estimated an enterprise value of as much as $12 billion. That would peg Talabat’s valuation higher than its parent firm — and make the deal among the region’s biggest listings this year. Analysts at Emirates NBD said Talabat was debt free, compared to Delivery Hero’s $3.5 billion of borrowings, and operated in one of two regions that positively contributed to the German firm’s Ebitda in 2023. Delivery Hero is selling a 15% stake in the business. Investors can submit orders until Nov. 27, and shares are expected to start trading on or around Dec. 10.

• Generative AI startup Writer raises $200M at a $1.9B valuation
  Source: Techcrunch
  Summary: Writer has raised $200 million at a $1.9 billion valuation to expand its enterprise-focused generative AI platform. Writer CEO May Habib says the new cash, which brings the startup’s total raised to $326 million, will be used for product development and “cementing the company’s leadership in the enterprise generative AI category.” Writer was founded in 2020 by Habib and Waseem AlShikh. The two previously launched Qordoba together, which helped companies localize products to new markets. Qordoba was a language services and digital content company based in Dubai that worked with over 650 linguists in 30 countries, raising funding from Silicon Oasis Ventures and MENA Venture Investments.

• Astra Tech founder Abdallah Abu Sheikh is selling his stake, steps down as CEO
  Source: Gulfnews
  Summary: Abdallah Abu Sheikh, co-founder and CEO of Astra Tech, one of UAE’s high-profile fintechs and owner of the video-calling app Botim, is exiting from the business. He will be selling his stake in Astra Tech to existing shareholders. Astra Tech has been making significant progress in the last 2 years to re-position itself as a super-app, getting into the remittance space and other services.

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