The MENA Startup Show

Missed deals, most memorable decks, and fundraising mistakes—Khaled answers Samer’s tough questions. -The deals he wishes he had done: Salla E-Commerce Platform, Fresha, Hesabe Company for Electronic Payments and Settlements. -The pitch decks that stood out: eyewa and how Ahmed, Calo’s founder made an unforgettable impression. -Common mistakes founders make when fundraising: over-optimizing for valuation. This is part 3 of a 3-part series with Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital. Watch it here 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dnAZBnCa - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dZ5mxTks - Apple: https://lnkd.in/diDkiZgb - Website: TheMENAStartupShow.com Follow The MENA Startup Show to stay updated and never miss an episode. Let us know what you think in the comments! #TheMENAStartupShow #VCs #KhaledTalhouni #NuwaCapital

Check out Khaled’s hotlist of founders/startups to look at in the next one or two years: Balio: Consolidating micro SaaS in the US ClearGrid: Innovating debt collection for consumer credit Muwazana | موازنة: Solving capital market needs in Saudi Arabia Calo Inc., eyewa, Homzmart: Scaling fast and leading their markets Sylndr: A secondhand car marketplace with incredible tenacity Zest Equity: Transforming private capital management Silkhaus: Pioneering prop tech solutions In part 3 of this 3-part series, we got you the insights and lessons you’re most curious to know  Watch it here 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dnAZBnCa - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dZ5mxTks - Apple: https://lnkd.in/diDkiZgb - Website: TheMENAStartupShow.com Follow The MENA Startup Show to stay updated and never miss an episode. Let us know what you think in the comments! #TheMENAStartupShow #VCs #KhaledTalhouni #NuwaCapital

"In 2016, if you missed a deal, it would come back. Not anymore." That's how MENA's funding landscape evolved, according to Khaled Talhouni from Nuwa Capital. In this third and final part, Khaled openly shares with Samer deals he wished he hadn't missed, and data-backed insights on what makes successful founders. A must-watch if you're building or investing in MENA 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dnAZBnCa - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dZ5mxTks - Apple: https://lnkd.in/diDkiZgb - Website: TheMENAStartupShow.com Follow The MENA Startup Show to stay updated and never miss an episode. #TheMENAStartupShow #VCs #KhaledTalhouni #NuwaCapitall

"How can I make VCs chase me as a founder?" In this episode, Khaled Talhouni breaks down how to create FOMO for investors: ✅ The right founder ✅ The right sector ✅ The right valuation Plus, he shares a few FOMO stories from actual funding rounds in MENA. This is part 2 of a 3-part series with Khaled, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital. Watch it here 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dvf9yzA5 - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dv-pRFGA - Apple: https://lnkd.in/dGyi6UAz - Website: TheMENAStartupShow.com Follow The MENA Startup Show to stay updated and never miss an episode. Let us know what you think in the comments! #TheMENAStartupShow #VCs #KhaledTalhouni #NuwaCapital

"if you spend 15 slides explaining the industry, I think that's no good" Khaled breaks down what matters when pitching to VCs like Nuwa Capital: - The structure of a winning pitch deck - How to make it memorable like Eyewa’s - How traction speaks louder than assumptions with Ahmed's pitch about Calo's numbers - Many other actionable tips for your next pitch This is part 2 of a 3-part series with Khaled Talhony, watch it here 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dvf9yzA5 - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dv-pRFGA - Apple: https://lnkd.in/dGyi6UAz - Website: TheMENAStartupShow.com Follow The MENA Startup Show to stay updated and never miss an episode. Let us know what you think in the comments! #TheMENAStartupShow #VCs #KhaledTalhouni #NuwaCapital

So, how do you successfully raise your first round as an early-stage founder? Khaled shares insights from years of investing in MENA’s startups. In part 2 of this 3-part series, we discussed: -How to know when you’re ready to raise -The best ways to get a VC’s attention (hint: newsletters) -Common mistakes, like over-optimizing for valuation -eyewa and Calo Inc.: examples of remarkable pitch decks for startups -Traction vs. data in the first meeting -Why Jawaker was the best company Khaled ever invested in -Founders’ misconceptions about VCs Watch it here 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dvf9yzA5 - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dv-pRFGA - Apple: https://lnkd.in/dGyi6UAz - Website: TheMENAStartupShow.com Follow The MENA Startup Show to stay updated and never miss an episode. Let us know what you think in the comments! #TheMENAStartupShow #VCs #KhaledTalhouni #NuwaCapital

Khaled Talhouni shares what he looks for in founders and the red flags that make him pass! Watch Part 1 of our episode with Khaled, Managing Partner of Nuwa Capital, a MENA VC that has backed over 30 early-stage startups. Links here 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/deweac52 - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/daF4PcjD - Apple: https://lnkd.in/dT2V3tea - Website: TheMENAStartupShow.com Follow The MENA Startup Show to stay updated and never miss an episode. #TheMENAStartupShow #VCs #KhaledTalhouni #NuwaCapital

"In MENA, we cheat a little bit." That’s Khaled Talhouni’s take on why the region rarely sees totally new business models like Airbnb. Here’s why: -70% of what VCs fund in MENA is consumer internet. -Most startups build proven models that work elsewhere—but tailor them for the region. -This “cheat code” allows founders to reduce risk while still innovating in execution. But here’s the challenge: How do you spot the next Airbnb when it doesn’t look like anything else? Watch it here 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/deweac52 - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/daF4PcjD - Apple: https://lnkd.in/dT2V3tea - Website: TheMENAStartupShow.com Follow The MENA Startup Show to stay updated and never miss an episode. #TheMENAStartupShow #VCs #KhaledTalhouni #NuwaCapital

So, what really happens after you pitch to a VC? Samer sat with Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital to get you the answers. In part 1 of this 3-part series, we discussed: - How VCs evaluate early-stage founders and startups - What makes them say "yes" - The red flags that make them pass on deals instantly - Nuwa's exact due diligence process This episode is packed with practical insights from someone who's evaluated thousands of MENA startups over the past 15 years. If you're a founder or investor, you'll love it! Watch it here 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/deweac52 - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/daF4PcjD - Apple: https://lnkd.in/dT2V3tea - Website: TheMENAStartupShow.com Follow The MENA Startup Show to stay updated and never miss an episode. Let us know what you think in the comments! #TheMENAStartupShow #VCs #KhaledTalhouni #NuwaCapital

How elGrocer exited with 3x returns Nader Amiri’s first acquisition deal was nearly finalized—then COVID shut it down. The team pivoted, shifting focus from VCs to strategic partners like family groups and institutions who could integrate elGrocer into their ecosystem. The result? A successful exit in under five years, delivering a 3x return to investors. Watch it here 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dnD_hfbs - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dQeWfgDW - Apple: https://lnkd.in/duxuUYRQ - Website: TheMENAStartupShow.com Follow The MENA Startup Show to stay updated and never miss an episode. #TheMENAStartupShow #elGrocer #NaderAmiri