VC React Podcast (E30): Build quietly? Credit Score or AI, FinTech In Africa, Freaky AI Dubbing!
VC React Podcast:
Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, and Angel Investors, 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. Cristina Bullon, Principal @ Incubayt Investments
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-bullon/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.incubayt.com/
2. Philipe Moura, Founder & CEO @ Vinci Ventures and president of FDC Angels
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipemoura/
- VC Firm Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinciventures/about/
3. Sara Asad, A venture capitalist and ex-Endeavor
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraasad/
In Today's Episode:
News of the week brought to you by FWDstart:
ClearGrid emerges from stealth with $10M to modernise debt collection in MENA with AI
Summary: Dubai-based ClearGrid has emerged from stealth with $10 million in pre-seed and seed funding, aiming to modernise debt collection and recovery with AI-driven automation. The round includes a $3.5M pre-seed co-led by RAED Ventures and BECO Capital, and a $6.5M seed round co-led by Nuwa Capital and RAED Ventures. Founded in 2023 by Mohammad Al Zaben, Khalid Bin Bader Al Saud, and Mohammad Al Khalili, ClearGrid was created to address a major gap in the debt collection industry, where manual processes, outdated infrastructure, and aggressive recovery tactics still dominate. Al Zaben, who previously co-founded MUNCH:ON (acquired by Careem in 2022), first encountered the issue when managing corporate receivables at his last startup. The experience led him to explore how consumer collections—an even bigger market—could be reimagined with automation and AI.enza Secures USD 6.75M to Advance Financial Inclusion in Africa
Summary: UAE-based fintech enza has secured a $6.75 million seed equity round, co-led by Algebra Ventures and Quona Capital. Founded in 2023 by Hany Fekry, enza’s payment solutions allow banks and fintechs to provide locally relevant payment capabilities, including cards, wallets, and real-time payments. With a presence in Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, the new capital infusion will enable enza to strengthen its presence across other key markets in Africa.Dubai-based Camb.ai raises $11m to scale AI voice dubbing and video localisation
Summary: CAMB.AI (🇦🇪 UAE), an AI-powered voice translation and dubbing platform helping content creators localise videos in multiple languages, has secured an $11 million Pre-Series A funding round. Investors include TRTL Ventures, Accelerate Ventures, 5Point Ventures, Oraseya Capital, Courtside Ventures, Dubai Future District Fund, and Comcast NBCU SportsTech, bringing the startup’s total funding to $15.5 million. Additionally, CAMB.AI announced a multi-year partnership with France’s soccer governing body, LFP, becoming its official global language solution. The deal involves providing AI-powered translation services across live broadcasts, on-demand videos, editorial content, and social media, following months of successful trials of CAMB.AI’s real-time speech-to-speech translation technology.
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