Wamda

Regional

Be the CEO not the COO: finding space for vision-making [Opinion]

A whopping 70.6 percent of entrepreneurs in MENA say it’s difficult to balance daily operational work and fire-fighting with strategy...

Opinion Iqraaly strategy

Jordan

For tech’s sake, get out of our way [Opinion]

Last October we found out the royal court wanted some major changes to reawaken Jordan’s technology sector. This was no surprise...

regulation Opinion Policy

Regional

Uber’s getting cuddly with KSA - but it’s not what you think [Opinion]

My initial reaction to Uber’s $3.5 billion round was: great! It is easy to frown upon the deal and question why the...

Public Investment Fund Opinion Arzan VC

Global

The next big thing is spacetech [Opinion]

Space is a frontier that's fast becoming accessible to everyone. (Image via Timez5) The space economy is poised for explosive growth...

CanadaArm Space economy Virgin Galactic

Regional

Are angel investors born or made? [Opinion]

Angel investors are in short supply in MENA. How do we 'grow' more? (Image via LabsofLatvia) There is no longer a question as to whether...

VentureSouq Opinion Venture Capital

Bahrain

How to reach a million customers in one year

To most entrepreneurs, the road from launch to market-fit is tough. It is filled with bottlenecks and rejections, ranging from "who...

food and beverage Eatapp Opinion

Maghreb

Tunisia's entrepreneurs need to step up [Opinion]

Tunisian entrepreneurs need to step up and lead the charge. (Image via Wikimedia Commons) After working with entrepreneurs while...

Founders Institute Opinion tunisia

Regional

The evolution of tech startups in MENA [Opinion]

Watching an ecosystem grow. (Image via Miami Herald) In much of the world, being a technology startup is a very ‘cool’ pursuit. The sto...

risk ecosystem growth Opinion

Regional

Sharing our way out of malaise: MENA and the sharing economy [Opinion]

A visual reprensentation of the concept that could transform the Middle East and North Africa. (Image via Meridian-180.org) In...

lending club Opinion careem

Pakistan

Pakistan's return as the 'California of Asia' [Opinion]

It's no secret that Pakistan’s startup scene is heating up, but the rise of a new middle class and the fruits of a heavy security...

Advanced Micro Devices AST Research FireEye

Regional

Could MENA see a unicorn soon?

Extinct in the wild in the 1970s and reintroduced in the 1980s, the Arabian Oryx may be the animal closest to a unicorn. (Image...

CB Insights unicorns oped

Regional

Why we invest in online marketplaces [Opinion]

Driven by mobile penetration rates and user growth, online marketplaces present tantalizing oportunities for investors. (Image via...

Wajdi Ghoussoub Middle East Venture Partners volt

Regional

Startup spring: How tech can liberate MENA [Opinion]

Startups might be more than beautiful glimmers of hope. (Images via Jonas Feller) The Arab world is leaping ahead. Governance...

Arab entrepreneurs Opinion policies

Regional

Fear of success does exist [Opinion]

Don't fear greatness, if you don't want to spend your life living among potholes! (Image via outofedenministries.com) 'Fear of Failure'...

Legal challenges Opinion Failure

Regional

Some considerations on starting a company in MENA [Opinion]

The path to the MENA market is difficult but not impossible. (Image via constructionweekonline) Entrepreneurship is not for everyone,...

billing oped Opinion

Regional

8 MENA ecommerce predictions for 2016

This is an edited crosspost with LinkedIn. What a year it’s been for ecommerce in the Middle East. Launches of dozens of new startups; the ...

Uberization Mo Ali Yusuf Opinion

Maghreb

Four reasons why Morocco's startup ecosystem is at a tipping point [Opinion]

A new start for Moroccan startups. (Image via Travelling Book Junkies) Governments all around the world want to build strong startup...

Opinion Eiréné4Impact CEED

Regional

Middle East and Turkey startups raise the temperature in Stockholm [Opinion]

MENA meets Stockholm at #sthlmtech. (Images via Aurore Belfrage) When talking to investors, corporates and media in the west about...

212 Istanbul Opinion Aurore Belfrage

Regional

Don’t ask for change, create change [Opinion]

I was asked to give a commencement speech at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Doha on May 1. Below is an edited version of what I said. I...

change The power of yalla Habib Haddad

Thought Leadership

All the information you need to navigate Mena's startup ecosystem

Thank you