The MENA Startup Show

Where founders, investors & experts share their authentic experience building and growing MENA startups.🔍 No fluff, no sugar-coating, just real conversations about the actual challenges faced by MENA startups and the true reasons behind their growth and success with the people building in our region.🎬 Hosted by: Samer Bejjani — a founder, growth marketer, and angel investor with 15 years of experience in building startups. Currently bootstrapping and scaling a profitable startup studio and helping 100+ MENA startups grow at Growth Levers.📧 For feedback: hello@themenastartupshow.com

The MENA Startup Show is a business podcast hosted by Samer Bejjani, with 11 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Samer Bejjani hosts The MENA Startup Show, a business show with 11 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #9

  Bootstrapping and Scaling Wafeq from 0 to 10k Customers with Nadim Alameddine - E9

  Feb 11, 202540 minS0

  <p>In this episode, Nadim Alameddine, CEO & founder of Wafeq, shares his journey from bootstrapping his first startup to building a SaaS company that simplifies accounting and financial management for businesses in MENA.Nadim discusses the lessons he learned from scaling multiple products, why localization is a key differentiator in the region, and how Wafeq navigates the complex landscape of regulations and compliance. He also dives into the challenges of pricing SaaS in MENA, his approach to fundraising, and how AI is reshaping financial software.Key takeaways:- Bootstrapping forces founders to be resourceful and prioritize sustainable growth.- Having...

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  Episode #8

  How Cercli Is Replacing Legacy HR Systems for MENA Businesses with Akeed Azmi - E8

  Jan 28, 202552 minS0

  <p>In this episode, Akeed Azmi, co-founder of Cercli, shares his journey from working at industry giants like Careem and Kitopi to launching his own venture focused on solving payroll and global team management issues for MENA businesses. Akeed discusses the problem he identified twice—first at Careem and then again at Kitopi—and how it led to the creation of Cercli. His experience navigating the challenges of payroll management in a fast-growing market shaped his determination to build a solution that automates back-office work, reducing errors and ensuring compliance. He also reveals the key insights that have driven Cercli’s rapi...

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  Episode #7

  Walid Dib - Building Better and Lessons From Previous Startups - E7

  Jan 7, 20251h 7mS0

  <p>In this episode, Walid Dib, entrepreneur and founder of Better, takes us through his unconventional journey from the world of insurance to building innovative solutions in the personal wellness space. After pivoting, he now focuses on tackling sensitive issues that men face, such as hair loss and sexual wellness. Walid shares his unique approach to building a brand that addresses the mental and physical health of men, focusing on solutions that go beyond the typical market offerings. He emphasizes the importance of building in public, being transparent with customers, and creating products that truly solve problems, not just fill...

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  Episode #6

  VC Lessons, Regrets, and Trends with Khaled Talhouni – E6 pt. 3

  Dec 19, 202420 minS0

  <p>Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, shares invaluable insights into how VCs assess founders and startups, particularly in the early stages. In part 3 of this 3-part series, Khaled reflects on lessons learned from his portfolio companies and 15+ years in VC, and explores the evolution of venture capital in MENA. He shares his vision for Nuwa Capital’s future, emphasizing the role of trust, transparency, and sourcing innovative startups to shape the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Related Episodes: How MENA VCs Evaluate Founders – Insights from Khaled Talhouni – E6 pt. 1: https://youtu.be/_LW4aiggEuw Part 2, How to Raise Your First Ro...

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  The MENA Startup Show

  How to Raise Your First Round – VC Tips from Khaled Talhouni – E6 pt. 2

  Dec 14, 202420 minS0

  <p>Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, shares invaluable insights into how VCs assess founders and startups, particularly in the early stages. In part 2 of this 3-part series, Khaled discusses how and when to approach VCs, how to create FOMO, and the essential elements for a standout pitch. </p> <p>Related Episodes: How MENA VCs Evaluate Founders – Insights from Khaled Talhouni – E6 pt. 1: https://youtu.be/_LW4aiggEuw Part 3, Lessons and insights in the VC space: Coming Soon! Key takeaways: - Founders should focus on understanding the problem, product roadmap, and market potential before approaching VCs.</p> <p>- It's...

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