VC React MENA E64: Open's CX AI Agents, Breez's Voice AI Middleware, & Grove's Vertical AgriTech Bet

Something different this episode: a story.Three AI systems are competing for the same thing, and it is not users. It is the compute needed to keep existing, and the country that can build it faster than anyone else. Between them is a venture investor who is invited into rooms that do not know they are strategic, and who says yes one time too many.The Compute War is a fictional audio story about sovereignty, dependency, and the people caught between systems that have started to want things. It is fiction: the models, the people and the rooms are invented, and the real products whose names appear here have done none of the things described.Written by Ahmad Takatkah and narrated by an AI voice. The full text is at www.vcpreneur.com/blog/the-compute-war.

Book Summary - "LIQUID: The Pre-IPO Returns Hidden In Plain Sight", by Ahmad Takatkah.For more details on the book and the author, please visit the author's website:https://www.vcpreneur.com/liquid-bookTo buy the Audiobook: https://open.spotify.com/show/6251n1KfSd1HSGx4ms6GesTo buy the Kindle eBook:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HCQ3LVC7To buy the Paperback book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HCQR2J99Book Description:On June 12, 2026, SpaceX went public at $1.77 trillion, and retail investors finally got their chance to buy. The asymmetric returns were already gone, harvested years earlier, behind closed doors, in company-approved liquidity windows most public investors have never heard of.Here is what changed while nobody was watching: The exit isn't a door anymore. It's a hallway of windows. Private companies now open structured liquidity windows years before anyone rings a bell, and the employees and early backers who once held back now walk through them. Every one of those windows has a buyer on the other side, quietly stepping into growth that used to be reserved for the public markets.If you are a founder, an executive, an early employee, a banker, a surgeon, a lawyer, or a family office director, you almost certainly meet the legal bar for private markets. LIQUID explains why you were never on the buyer side anyway, and how to get there: the four ways to invest before an IPO, how the windows actually work, what the returns really look like, what can still go wrong, and how to tell a well-built window from an expensive mistake.I have spent fifteen years at the intersection of startups, venture capital, and data — building equity data products at Carta, running a quantitative venture fund, and building access infrastructure for private markets. The door between "qualified" and "in the room" was never locked by regulation. It was locked by architecture.The window is open. This book is the map.

VC React Podcast:Every week, we break down the biggest stories in startups & venture capital, and we react to what they really mean for founders, investors, and the market.---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://open.spotify.com/show/4O6gOT7eoMxf5M7qy3HVMp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---#siliconvalley # mena #startups #vc #lp #tech #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #accelerator #saas #data #software #deeptech #ai #fintech #edtech #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi #impact #sanfrancisco #sanjose #boston #seattle #austin #nyc #riyadh #dubai #amman #cairo #qatar ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by:- OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by hundreds of 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.This Week On The VC React Podcast:- CNBC and others reported on an OpenAI shareholder memo from chief revenue officer Denise Dresser. In it, she goes directly at Anthropic, saying Anthropic’s reported $30 billion annualized run rate is overstated by roughly $8 billion because of how it accounts for rev-share with Amazon and Google. She also says Microsoft has limited OpenAI’s enterprise reach, while Amazon and AWS are now the preferred path forward, with demand on AWS described as “frankly staggering.” The memo also frames Anthropic as fear-driven and operating on a smaller compute curve.- The Information reported that Uber’s CTO said the company had already maxed out its full-year 2026 AI budget by April, largely because of massive usage of AI coding tools, especially Anthropic’s Claude Code and Anysphere’s Cursor. - FWDstart reported that Golden Gate Ventures has backed Invisible Technologies, a U.S.-based AI infrastructure company valued at around $2 billion. Invisible says it has supported data and model work for more than 80% of the world’s leading foundation model labs, and counts Microsoft, AWS, and Cohere among its enterprise clients. The MENA angle is that the company is targeting growing GCC demand, especially as governments and enterprises push harder into AI adoption.- TechCrunch and Reuters reported that Amazon will acquire Globalstar for about $11.57 billion, paying $90 per share, to strengthen its low-Earth-orbit satellite strategy and build direct-to-device connectivity from 2028. Amazon has launched more than 240 satellites so far and is under pressure to scale its broader constellation, while Starlink remains the dominant player with over 10,000 satellites and millions of users.- Wamda reported that UAE-based Homegrown Ventures closed its debut fund at $22.8 million, above its $20 million target. The firm is focused on CPG and FMCG. The firm says it has already deployed into five portfolio companies and is targeting brands with roughly $2 million to $10 million in annual revenue.---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast:Every week, we break down the biggest stories in startups & venture capital, and we react to what they really mean for founders, investors, and the market.---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://open.spotify.com/show/4O6gOT7eoMxf5M7qy3HVMp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---#siliconvalley # mena #startups #vc #lp #tech #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #accelerator #saas #data #software #deeptech #ai #fintech #edtech #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi #impact #sanfrancisco #sanjose #boston #seattle #austin #nyc #riyadh #dubai #amman #cairo #qatar ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by:- OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by hundreds of 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.This Week On The VC React Podcast:- Anthropic said it’s not making Claude Mythos Preview generally available because of its cyber capabilities. In its own write-up, it said the model found severe vulnerabilities in major systems, could follow instructions to break out of a sandbox, sent an unexpected email to a researcher, and even posted exploit details publicly. Instead of a broad release, they’re limiting access through Project Glasswing with a small group of partners. - OpenAI announced that it acquired TBPN on April 2. In the post, it said TBPN brings strong editorial instincts, deep audience understanding, and an ability to convene influential voices across tech, business, and culture. - TechCrunch reported that Eclipse has a new $1.3 billion fund focused on what it calls physical AI. The firm said it’s investing across transportation, energy, infrastructure, compute, and defense. One of the more interesting parts is that Eclipse talked about building a web of portfolio companies that can work together as they scale- TechCrunch reported that Anthropic said Claude Code subscribers will need to pay extra for OpenClaw usage. Anthropic’s Boris Cherny said subscriptions weren’t built for the usage patterns of these third-party tools and that the policy would expand to more third-party harnesses.- FWDstart reported that Abu Dhabi’s Lunate acquired a passive minority stake in the management company of Insight Partners, citing reporting based on court filings and SEC documents. The important distinction is that this is described as equity in the management company, not just an LP commitment into a single fund. - FWDstart reported that Nubank is establishing a headquarters in ADGM, following a meeting between Sheikh Khaled and CEO David Vélez. The report says the ADGM base will be set up in collaboration with institutions including Wio Bank, which makes the move look more like a partnership-led entry than a pure standalone buildout.---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast:Every week, we break down the biggest stories in startups & venture capital, and we react to what they really mean for founders, investors, and the market.---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://open.spotify.com/show/4O6gOT7eoMxf5M7qy3HVMp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---#siliconvalley # mena #startups #vc #lp #tech #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #accelerator #saas #data #software #deeptech #ai #fintech #edtech #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi #impact #sanfrancisco #sanjose #boston #seattle #austin #nyc #riyadh #dubai #amman #cairo #qatar ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by:- OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by hundreds of 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.This Week On The VC React Podcast:- OpenAI Is Becoming Its Own Asset Class: OpenAI reportedly raised $122 billion overall, including $3 billion from retail investors. The round includes names like SoftBank, MGX, TPG, T. Rowe Price, Amazon, Nvidia, and Microsoft. The retail-investor access angle around this makes the whole thing feel even more like public-market behavior happening inside private markets.- AI Seed Is Starting to Look Expensive: TechCrunch is reporting that AI seed startups are now often raising around $10 million at roughly $40 million to $45 million post-money valuations. That is a very different seed market from what founders would have seen even a couple of years ago.- The Safety Lab Had an Ops Problem: Axios reported that Anthropic accidentally included an internal debugging file in a Claude Code release, exposing nearly 500,000 lines of source code and revealing unreleased features and roadmap details. Anthropic said no customer data or credentials were exposed.- Yupp Shut Down Anyway: TechCrunch reported that Yupp, the crowdsourced AI model-comparison startup, is shutting down less than a year after launch. The company had raised $33 million from high-profile investors including Chris Dixon.- Bezos Is Betting on Industrial AI: Jeff Bezos is in early talks to raise a $100 billion manufacturing fund focused on sectors like chipmaking, defense, aerospace, and automotive, and Gulf sovereign wealth funds are part of the pitch.- Whoop Is Bigger Than a Wearables Story: Whoop has raised $575 million at a $10.1 billion valuation, with QIA, Mubadala, and 2PointZero participating. The company said it was cash-flow positive in 2025, had reached a $1.1 billion bookings run rate, and now has more than 2.5 million members globally.- Tabby Just Made MENA Fintech More Real: FWDstart reported that Tabby’s SAMA-licensed Saudi financing subsidiary reported $55 million in net profit on $378 million in revenue for 2025 in its first independently audited annual statements. ---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast - MENA:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, funds, 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://open.spotify.com/show/4O6gOT7eoMxf5M7qy3HVMp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guest:1. Philip Bahoshy, CEO and Founder of MAGNiTT- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipbahoshy/- Company Website: https://magnitt.com/---#siliconvalley # mena #startups #vc #lp #tech #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #accelerator #saas #data #software #deeptech #ai #fintech #edtech #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi #impact #sanfrancisco #sanjose #boston #seattle #austin #nyc #riyadh #dubai #amman #cairo #qatar ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by:- OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by hundreds of 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.This Week On The VC React Podcast:- MENA funding is up 74%, deals are up 6%, and Saudi now makes up almost half of all VC in the region. - The question is: What metrics actually tell us the truth about the health of the region's market? Is it total funding, deal count, international investor share, or exits and liquidity? or something else? - We will walk through the MAGNiTT’s annual report on MENA venture activity to try to answer these questions. - Link to report “FY 2025 State of Venture Capital in MENA”: https://magnitt.com/research/FY-2025-MENA-VC-Report-51018 - Link to FWDstart deepdive on Europe’s unified corporate structure for startups, and if MENA could do the same?: “Where are the calls for a MENA Inc?”: https://www.fwdstart.me/p/where-are-the-calls-for-a-mena-inc - Link to Sadu Capital's white paper on Structured Liquidity Windows - Periodic Secondaries led and controlled by startups: https://www.sadu.vc/white-paper-structured-liquidity-windows ---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast - MENA:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, funds, 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://open.spotify.com/show/4O6gOT7eoMxf5M7qy3HVMp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Timur Daudpota, Founding Partner @ 2080 Ventures- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timurdaudpota/- Company Website: https://www.2080.ventures/2. Waleed AlBallaa, Managing Partner @ Sukna Capital- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ballaa/- Company Website: https://suknacapital.com/---#siliconvalley # mena #startups #vc #lp #tech #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #accelerator #saas #data #software #deeptech #ai #fintech #edtech #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi #impact #sanfrancisco #sanjose #boston #seattle #austin #nyc #riyadh #dubai #amman #cairo #qatar ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by:- OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by hundreds of 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.This Week On The VC React Podcast:- Open, raises a $7m Seed round to expand its customer experience AI agents. Can AI agents really replace the entire legacy CX stack for big, complex enterprises?- Breez AI raises $1.3M pre-seed to build hyper-localized, Arabic-first voice AI infrastructure. Can Breez AI provide the missing layer in Arabic enterprise voice automation?- Grove raises $5M seed to build vertically integrated fresh-produce supply chain in Saudi Arabia. Can a B2C farm to table play perform better than a B2B play? ---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast - Silicon Valley:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on Silicon Valley startups, funds, 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://open.spotify.com/show/4O6gOT7eoMxf5M7qy3HVMp⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guest:1. Jake Ellowitz, Partner @ Tribe Capital, CTO @ Cofounder Termina Systems- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-ellowitz/- Company Website: https://tribecap.co/2. Joseph Alalou, General Partner @ Daring Ventures- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephalalou/- Company Website: https://daringventures.vc/⁠---#siliconvalley # mena #startups #vc #lp #tech #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #accelerator #saas #data #software #deeptech #ai #fintech #edtech #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi #impact #sanfrancisco #sanjose #boston #seattle #austin #nyc #riyadh #dubai #amman #cairo #qatar ---News of the week brought to you by FWDstart.This Week On The VC React Podcast:- A16Z raised more than $15 billion across five new funds. Is this a sign that power in VC is concentrating into the hands of just a few mega-firms? Or that VC is actually still a growing asset class?- Apple’s New Brain: Siri will run on Gemini. A smart way to catch up in AI، or a sign that Apple fell so far behind on models, it had to borrow Google’s brain?- Anthropic is rolling out Claude for Healthcare right after ChatGPT Health. LLMs in Healthcare: Superpower or Safety Risk?”- And finally, the most bizarre tech, announced so far at CES 2026

VC React Podcast - MENA:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, funds, 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://open.spotify.com/show/4O6gOT7eoMxf5M7qy3HVMp⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Hani Azzam, Partner @ Propeller - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hani-azzam-90b5764b/- Company Website: https://propellerinc.me/---#siliconvalley # mena #startups #vc #lp #tech #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #accelerator #saas #data #software #deeptech #ai #fintech #edtech #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi #impact #sanfrancisco #sanjose #boston #seattle #austin #nyc #riyadh #dubai #amman #cairo #qatar ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by:- OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by hundreds of 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.This Week On The VC React Podcast:- A $230M Seed Round, yes you heard that right, Seed round, and 230m dollars into an unlicensed, pre-launch Islamic digital bank called Mal. Is this a PR stunt, or are we getting comfortable with mega-rounds for a copy of a proven business model?- We have also discussed three new raises: 1. Governata raises $4M seed to build Saudi Arabia’s first Arabic-first, AI-ready data governance platform.2. Madeed raises a $400K pre-seed round to detect a disease before symptoms appear.3. eMushrif raises $7.5M to scale its smart school transport platform.---(أحمد طقاطقه)---

VC React Podcast - MENA:Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, LPs, & Angel Investors, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, funds, 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://open.spotify.com/show/4O6gOT7eoMxf5M7qy3HVMp⁠⁠⁠Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vc-react-podcast/id1764834384⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---Guests:1. Louiza Chitour, Co-Founder @ 10FT Ventures- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/venturestudioventurecapitalwellnesslongevityhealthtechgccmena/- Company Website: https://10ft.ventures/2. Tala Al Jabri, Founder & Managing Partner @ Wyld VC- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talaa/- Company Website: https://www.wyldvc.com/---#siliconvalley # mena #startups #vc #lp #tech #investments #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #venturedebt #privateequity #finance #business #ipo #acquisitions #limitedpartners #accelerator #saas #data #software #deeptech #ai #fintech #edtech #cvc #web3 #crypto #blockchain #defi #impact #sanfrancisco #sanjose #boston #seattle #austin #nyc #riyadh #dubai #amman #cairo #qatar ---Sponsors: 💸This week’s episode is brought to you by:- OCTA – the AI-powered accounts receivable platform trusted by hundreds of 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.This Week On The VC React Podcast:- We unpack noon’s $500M raise as it eyes an IPO. With a total of 3.2B dollars in funding, is this even a startup anymore, or a sovereign-backed platform built at scale from day one? - Then, we zoom into Algeria, where VOLZ just closed a record local-currency Series A, at which a Gov fund exits. We ask if this is too early of an exit for a gov fund, and ask about what that really says about startup readiness across Africa versus the GCC. ---(أحمد طقاطقه)---