Listen "VC React Podcast (E41): Amazon Buys Into ValU, Careem Exits Pakistan, & OpenAI Takes On Microsoft."
Episode Synopsis
VC React Podcast:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. ---Hosts: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. Sign up to VCpreneur Newsletter on https://www.vcpreneur.com/Jamie Lane, FWDstart. Sign up to FWDstart Newsletter on https://archives.fwdstart.me/ ---Available on:Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@VCReactPodcastSpotify:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/vc-react-podcastApple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384---Guests:1. Ivo Detelinov, General Partner @ Salica Oryx Fund- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivodetelinov/- VC Firm Website: https://salicainvestments.com/2. Basem Abu Dagga, Co-Founder @ The Learning Curve Holdings- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basem-abu-dagga-pevc/- VC Firm Website: https://www.reimagined.cc/3. Salem Washeely, Partner @ Sadu Capital- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salem-w-40276554/- VC Firm Website: https://www.sadu.vc/---#startups #vc #tech #ai #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privatecredit #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #revenuebasedfinancing #fintech #climatetech #edtech #accelerator #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by 100+ companies like Careem, Lean Technologies, and ZenHR to automate collections, resolve disputes, and unlock financing with zero hassle. Visit: www.weareocta.com/fwdstart to get your first 6 months free.---News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.In Today's Episode:- Valu begins trading on EGX with Amazon as investorSummary: Valu made its market debut on Monday, becoming the first consumer finance company to list on the Egyptian Exchange. Shares trading under the ticker VALU.CA surged 852% on day one. In parallel, Amazon converted a long-standing option into a 3.95% direct stake, acquiring shares at EGP 6.041 per share, giving the $2 trillion firm a rare, strategic entry point into MENA fintech.- Careem announces end of ride-hailing service in Pakistan from next monthSummary: Careem will suspend its ride-hailing service operations in Pakistan from July after nearly a decade in the industry, its CEO announced on Wednesday, adding that its journey in the country would continue “in a different role”. Mudassir Sheikha, Careem’s CEO and co-founder, shared a post on LinkedIn announcing “a new chapter” for the company. - AppliedAI closes oversubscribed $55M Series A with backing from MEVP, G42, Bessemer, and e&Summary: AppliedAI has closed a $55 million oversubscribed Series A round with participation from Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), G42, Bessemer Venture Partners, and strategic partner e&. Its enterprise-grade platform, Opus, is powered by a Large Work Model (LWM) and a proprietary Work Knowledge Graph (WKG), designed to handle complex workflows with precision and scale. - OpenAI designs rival to Office and Workspace, The Information reportsSummary: OpenAI is developing productivity features for ChatGPT that would position the company as a competitor to Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, according to a report from The Information. ---(أحمد طقاطقه)---
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