VC React Podcast (E4): Banking The Unbanked, Tech Moonshots, Climate Tech, MENA AI Consolidations

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. Issa Aghabi, Founder & Managing Director @ Access Bridge Ventures
- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iaghabi/
- VC Firm Website: https://access-bridge.com/

2. Zeina Mandour, Venture Investments Manager @ Dar Ventures
- LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeina-mandour-38541260/
- VC Firm Website: https://dar.com/

In Today's Episode:

News of the week brought to you by FWDstart:

• Omani climate tech startup 44.01 raises $37 M Series A
  Source: Oman Observer
  Summary: 44.01, an Oman-based startup focused on eliminating CO2 permanently through natural mineralization, has secured $37 million in a Series A funding round. The investment was co-led by Equinor Ventures and Shorooq Partners, with participation from ALIAD Venture Capital, Alumni Ventures, Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, Climate Investment, IDO Investments, Planet A Ventures, Salica Investments Oryx Fund, Siemens Financial Services, Sumitomo Corporation, and Sam Altman. Existing investor Breakthrough Energy also participated. Founded by Talal Hasan, 44.01's technology mineralizes CO2 in peridotite, abundant in Oman and globally, with successful pilots in Oman and the UAE.

• Hub71 fintech startup Dopay secures $13.5 million Series A Extension Round
  Source: Gulf News
  Summary: Dopay, a fintech startup providing digital payroll and payments for unbanked and underbanked workers in emerging markets, has closed a $13.5 million Series A extension round. Following a previous $18 million Series A round, this funding was led by Argentem Creek Partners with participation from existing investors. Part of Abu Dhabi's Hub71 tech ecosystem, Dopay will use the funds to expand in Egypt, launch new financial services, and grow its multi-bank, multi-country platform into other markets.

• Majarra acquires Arabic AI/NLP startups Lableb
  Source: Wamda
  Summary: UAE-based Majarra, An Arabic digital content provider, has acquired the UAE-based NLP technology provider, Lableb, for an undisclosed amount. Founded in 2004 by Abdulsalam Haykal, Majarra is a mediatech company that provides Arabic content through the Majarra App. With a vast library of over 50,000 articles, videos, and audio content. Meanwhile, Lableb, founded in 2017 by Kinda Altarbouch, offers Arabic AI services and Natural Language Processing (NLP). The acquisition aims to solidify Majarra's position at the forefront of Arabic digital innovation and marks its entry into the rapidly expanding AI sector.