E86: Maha Abouelenein: build your brand, bet on yourself and live with no regrets!

Paddy Cosgrave, founder and CEO of Web Summit, joins me for a fast-paced conversation recorded live at Web Summit Qatar. We talk about how he scaled a 150-person event into one of the world’s largest tech conferences, and why the same principles—imagination, naivety, and engineering serendipity—can be applied to anything you want to build. Paddy shares his thoughts on avoiding fear-driven decisions, why big ideas need a bit of “clinical insanity,” and how success often comes down to simply starting—even if you have no idea what you’re doing.We also touch on tech hype, unsanitized founders, and why he won’t let his kids near addictive apps. This episode is about thinking big, starting small, and taking action—no matter what you’re building.Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here to claim your non-deposit cash bonus! Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here to take the 5 min Quiz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO! Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167  to claim your cash bonus!Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here https://global.bioniq.com/go/loulou?utm_source=CWL&utm_medium=CWL-audio&utm_campaign=CWL0325 to take the 5 min Quizz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!

في الحلقة الأولى من البودكاست بالعربي، حبيت اني أتكلم مع صديقي رائد الأعمال محمد أبو النجا المعروف في مصر ب"نجاتي". محمد عندو رؤية في مجال العمل. عندما كان موظف في فوري، قرر إنو يشتري أسهم بالشركة وأدرجت فوري على البورصة المصرية في عام ٢٠١٩. ومن بعد فوري، كان نجاتي المدير الإقليمي لشركة "كريم" في مصر. وبعدها، كان الشريك المؤسس لشركة "حالاً" وهي اليوم شركة مليارية. ولقد أدى نجاح نجاتي في العمل إلى شهرة كبيرة في مصر وهذه الشهرة فتحت له أبواب منها نجاحه في البودكاست "المال الحلال" الذي اطلقه في أخر سنة ٢٠٢٤ في هذه المحادثة، نتكلم عن الحياة في مصر والفرص المتاحة للشباب والشابات، نتكلم عن دور المرأة المصرية في تربية الجيل الجديد وعن الثقة بالنفس، الرؤية، النجاح و تأثير الشهرة و كيف نتعامل مع الفشل. انشالله تستمتعو بالحديث00:00 مقدمة الحلقة والتعريف بالضيف03:18 نجاحات وإخفاقات نجاتي في ريادة الأعمال09:36 البودكاست والشهرة11:56 أهمية الإتقان في العمل20:54 الذكاء الاصطناعي ومستقبل الأعمال24:47 التحديات والفرص في السوق المصري32:41 أهمية العائلة والتربية في حياة نجاتي01:16:07 التوازن بين العمل والحياة الشخصية01:20:44 خاتمة الحلقة والدعوة للتفاعل Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167  to claim your cash bonus!Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here https://global.bioniq.com/go/loulou?utm_source=CWL&utm_medium=CWL-audio&utm_campaign=CWL0325 to take the 5 min Quizz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!

 We kick off by exploring the broader implications of President Trump’s ‘drill baby drill’ policy and how it could shape GCC economies, from oil markets to capital flows. We then deep dive into the art of deal-making, from knowing when to sell, to navigating high-stakes negotiations, to creating a win-win scenario to uncovering the one thing that kills a deal. Ziad gives us a behind the scenes look into how a deal is made and what can go wrong. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just curious about the inner workings of M&A, this conversation is packed with lessons on valuing time, thinking strategically, and winning in business. Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167  to claim your cash bonus!Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here https://global.bioniq.com/go/loulou?utm_source=CWL&utm_medium=CWL-audio&utm_campaign=CWL0325 to take the 5 min Quizz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!

I sat down with Philip Bahoshy, founder of MAGNiTT, for a no-holds-barred conversation on the realities of the startup world. We unpack the "Startup Valley of Death," exploring why founders fail, when to quit, and how to navigate burnout. Philip dives into M&A challenges, scarce exits, and the rising role of secondary transactions and IPO readiness. He also highlights scaling hurdles in fragmented markets, the talent crunch, and UAE-Saudi ecosystem dynamics. With sharp predictions for 2025—AI’s rise, more IPOs, and deeper ties with Southeast Asia—this episode offers critical insights for founders and investors navigating today’s uncertain venture landscape. Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167  to claim your cash bonus!Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here https://global.bioniq.com/go/loulou?utm_source=CWL&utm_medium=CWL-audio&utm_campaign=CWL0325 to take the 5 min Quizz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!

In this episode, we dive into the hard truth about why exits in MENA are so challenging, the role of tariffs in protecting domestic production, and how bad actors have tarnished the reputation of an entire industry. Sky also gives us a masterclass on navigating capital markets, working with your board (hint: don’t deprive them of their learning moments), and what to do when you’re stuck with an inflated valuation. From ag-tech failures to billion-dollar blunders and business model innovation at scale, this conversation is packed with insights for founders, investors, and anyone interested in the future of food production.Support for the show comes from Capital.com, a global investment platform with offices in Dubai. Click herefor a chance to win AED 1m. Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167  to claim your cash bonus!Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here https://global.bioniq.com/go/loulou?utm_source=CWL&utm_medium=CWL-audio&utm_campaign=CWL0325 to take the 5 min Quizz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!

Chris Rogers is a global entrepreneur who co-founded Nextel Communications, a wireless connectivity company, in 1987 and sold it for $35B in 2005. In the early 2000s, Chris came to Saudi Arabia to launch Nextel as a joint venture with Saudi Telecom. His deep connection to the region brought him back as an investor in Careem, Kitopi, and several other startups.In this episode, Chris shares what it takes to build and lead billion-dollar businesses, his perspective on Sovereign Wealth Fund initiatives shaping the MENA startup ecosystem, the challenges Venture Capital firms face in the region, and what it truly means to exit successfully.Chris also offers timeless lessons on resilience, attracting global investors, and balancing ambition with wellness. Whether you’re a founder, VC, or someone with big dreams, this episode is packed with insights to help you scale your next big thing.Support for the show comes from Capital.com, a global investment company with offices in Dubai.Click herefor a chance to win AED 1m.  Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167  to claim your cash bonus!Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here https://global.bioniq.com/go/loulou?utm_source=CWL&utm_medium=CWL-audio&utm_campaign=CWL0325 to take the 5 min Quizz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!

I sat down with Maha Abouelenein, powerhouse communicator, entrepreneur, and best-selling author of Seven Rules of Self-Reliance. Maha shares her incredible journey—from starting as a secretary for Naguib Sawiris to building a PR empire, working with global icons like Gary Vee, and becoming a bestselling author. We dive into the lessons from her book, the importance of betting on yourself, unlearning outdated ideas, and building a personal brand rooted in authenticity. Maha’s insights are both inspiring and practical, whether you’re an entrepreneur, corporate leader, or someone seeking purpose and growth. This is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and self-belief!Support for the show comes from Capital.com, a global investment company with offices in Dubai. Click here for a chance to win AED 1m.  Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167  to claim your cash bonus!Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here https://global.bioniq.com/go/loulou?utm_source=CWL&utm_medium=CWL-audio&utm_campaign=CWL0325 to take the 5 min Quizz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!

I sat down with Talal Tabbaa, co-founder of CoinMENA, to unpack the latest in the crypto world. We dive into Bitcoin’s recent bull run and why ETFs are a game-changer for institutional adoption. Talal shares his take on altcoins, meme coins, and whether they’re worth the hype—or just a gamble. We also tackle the big question: is it too late to get into Bitcoin? Plus, we discuss how governments, particularly in the GCC, are positioning themselves in the crypto race. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, this episode offers insights you can’t afford to miss.Support for the show comes from Capital.com a global investment platform with offices in Dubai. Click here for the chance to win AED 1m: https://bit.ly/3CDIT3f Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167  to claim your cash bonus!Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here https://global.bioniq.com/go/loulou?utm_source=CWL&utm_medium=CWL-audio&utm_campaign=CWL0325 to take the 5 min Quizz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!

I sat down with H.E. Sheikh Fahim a member of the Executive Council of Sharjah and the Executive Chairman of the Department of Government Relations to talk about his marine conservation work. Sheikh Fahim a.k.a. ‘the Turtle Sheikh’ whose love for the ocean - sparked by saving ‘Farah’ a turtle stuck in a fishing net - led him to launch SeafoodSouq, a technology business that tracks the global seafood supply chain or as per his words ‘a digital passport for fish’. Our conversation covers the state of our oceans, overfishing, bycatch and outright fraud. A fascinating discussion about the need for us all to do our bit and most importantly, to ask a very simple question: where is my fish coming from?Support for the show comes from Capital.com, a global investment platform with offices in Dubai. Visit (https://bit.ly/3YaWM0R) Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167  to claim your cash bonus!Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here https://global.bioniq.com/go/loulou?utm_source=CWL&utm_medium=CWL-audio&utm_campaign=CWL0325 to take the 5 min Quizz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!

I sat down with Abdullah Mutawi, Partner and Head of Corporate at law firm Taylor Wessing and prolific angel investor as the Co-founder and Chairman of Dubai Angel Investors and Saudi Angel Investors and we unpack some of the challenges that startups founders and venture capital investors are facing as they learn how to deal with a major downturn echoing the global venture capital downturn post 2020/2021 bubble. As a prominent lawyer, Abdullah is often called upon to mitigate distress situations, those that evoke strong emotions between the parties. Abdullah shares his learnings from various situations he has managed including one of the successful restructuring deals he worked on with Fetchr, the logistics startups that was saved, only to shut down again in 2021 in a twist of fate. If you are in the startup ecosystem or a stakeholder of the ecosystem, then you will certainly enjoy this discussion. Support for the show comes from capital.com, a global investment platform with offices in Dubai. Support for the show comes from XM, a leading trading platform. Click here https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167  to claim your cash bonus!Support for the show comes from Bioniq GO, your personalized supplements. Click here https://global.bioniq.com/go/loulou?utm_source=CWL&utm_medium=CWL-audio&utm_campaign=CWL0325 to take the 5 min Quizz and use the code CWL40 to avail 40% on your first order of Bioniq GO!