Join us for an engaging conversation with Robert Kupstas, co-founder of Pure Harvest Smart Farms, one of the Middle East’s pioneering agritech startups having raised $300M and is redefining sustainable food production.

Robert breaks down the realities of scaling asset-heavy ventures, offering rare insights into fundraising, building in emerging markets, and navigating investor expectations in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. We also explore the MENA startup landscape, the region’s shift beyond oil-driven economies, and what it takes to create long-term value in capital-intensive sectors.

He also shares candid reflections on founder resilience, decision-making under pressure, and how entrepreneurs can strike a balance between ambition and execution in high-growth environments.

In this episode, we speak with Mary Ghobrial who is the former Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer of Souq.com, Mary launched White Friday, drove regional retail strategies, and led Souq.com to its landmark acquisition by Amazon in 2017. Mary also played a key role as Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at Anghami, leading its historic NASDAQ launch. Join us as she shares insights on scaling businesses, fostering local brands, and thriving in the competitive tech and e-commerce landscapes of the MENA region.

In this episode, we engage with Khaled Talhouni, the Managing Partner of Nuwa Capital. Nuwa Capital has successfully backed several innovative startups, including Eyewa, Seez, Silkhaus, Calo, and many more. Khaled’s extensive experience in leading Nuwa Capital and other VC funds allows him to offer invaluable insights into identifying standout founders and analyzing pitch decks. Together, we delve into the thriving startup ecosystem of the Middle East, particularly focusing on entrepreneurs in the UAE and KSA. We tackle pressing questions, such as the existence of a funding winter and the key traits that define a compelling founder, making their startup a prime candidate for investment.