What do investors really look for when a founder walks into the room to pitch?

On this episode of The Perfect Pitch, host Erika Welch sits down with Alain Bejjani — investor, Shark Tank Lebanon panelist, author of NEXT: Leading Through the New Realities, and former CEO of Majid Al Futtaim — to unpack what makes a business truly investable.

Drawing on his experience as a corporate leader and investor, Alain explains why founders need to sell more than a great product. They need to demonstrate a compelling investment opportunity, show that they understand the risks, and prove they have the leadership and adaptability to turn their vision into reality.

In this conversation, we explore:

• What investors really look for in a pitch — and why the investment opportunity matters as much as the product.
• Smart money vs. money alone — how an investor's expertise, network and experience can create value beyond capital.
• What makes a founder investable — including adaptability, execution and the ability to navigate uncertainty.
• Why Shark Tank deals fall through — what happens after an on-air agreement and why due diligence matters.
• The risks founders often overlook — from underestimating their runway to co-founder conflict and equity agreements.
• Building a business for the long term — why founders need to look beyond short-term survival and focus on sustainable growth.

Alain also shares perspectives on Lebanon's resilient startup ecosystem and the lessons behind his book, NEXT: Leading Through the New Realities.

Whether you're preparing to raise capital, building a startup, or looking to understand how investors make decisions, this episode offers practical insights into what it takes to build a business that stands up to scrutiny.

About Alain Bejjani

Alain Bejjani is an investor, business leader and author who served as CEO of Majid Al Futtaim from 2015 to 2023. He is a panelist on Shark Tank Lebanon and the author of NEXT: Leading Through the New Realities, which explores leadership in a world shaped by disruption, AI and continual change.

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Get in touch with Alain: via his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alainbejjani/

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"The Perfect Pitch," is a newly launched Podcast Show by Lucidity Insights. Join LucidityInsights.com for an exclusive masterclass series featuring top Venture Capitalists in the Middle East & Africa region. Get all the essential insights to kickstart your fundraising journey. 🚀

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Why do some startup founders achieve extraordinary success while others unknowingly sabotage their own growth?

In this episode, Sam Daghash, Mindset & Reconditioning Coach, shares how mindset, self-worth, emotional intelligence, and money beliefs influence entrepreneurial success, fundraising, leadership, and business growth. Discover why investors are drawn to founders with conviction, how unconscious beliefs shape your decisions, and what it takes to lead with confidence in uncertain markets.

Whether you're a startup founder, entrepreneur, investor, CEO, or high performer, this conversation offers practical tools to help you overcome self-sabotage, build resilience, and unlock your next level of success.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why self-worth is one of the strongest predictors of entrepreneurial success
• How limiting beliefs and self-sabotage keep founders from reaching their potential
• What investors really look for beyond the business idea and pitch deck
• Why authenticity and conviction are essential for raising capital and inspiring teams
• How your relationship with money affects business decisions and growth
• Practical techniques to regulate emotions before investor meetings, pitches, and difficult conversations
• How to lead through uncertainty without operating from fear
• Why founder burnout happens—and how to manage your energy for sustainable high performance
• The three powerful questions every founder should ask when feeling stuck

If you've ever struggled with impostor syndrome, fundraising, decision-making under pressure, founder burnout, or breaking through to the next stage of growth, this episode will help you identify the internal patterns holding you back—and give you practical strategies to move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Get in touch with Sam: via his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samdaghash333/

Support the show

"The Perfect Pitch," is a newly launched Podcast Show by Lucidity Insights. Join LucidityInsights.com for an exclusive masterclass series featuring top Venture Capitalists in the Middle East & Africa region. Get all the essential insights to kickstart your fundraising journey. 🚀

[ Watch this episode on video ]

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What has really changed in crypto after the collapse of FTX and Luna—and what hasn’t?

In this episode, we speak with Vineet Budki, a seasoned Web3 investor with experience across 300+ blockchain and crypto investments, to unpack the current state of the market and where it is heading next.

This conversation goes beyond headlines and hype cycles. We explore how crypto venture capital has evolved, how institutional investors now evaluate Web3 projects, and why many startups still struggle to achieve real adoption despite years of technological progress.

We also dive into the key differences between ICO fundraising and venture capital, what founders need to understand before raising capital, and how investors identify projects with real long-term potential.

Key topics include:

• The long-term impact of FTX and Luna on crypto markets
• What professional investors look for in Web3 startups
• Why most crypto projects fail to reach adoption
• ICO vs VC funding: strengths and limitations
• The role of institutional capital in Web3
• Why crypto adoption is still slower than expected
• Common mistakes founders make when fundraising
• How investor-founder relationships really work post-investment
• Token vs equity decisions for Web3 startups
• Why Dubai is emerging as a global hub for Web3 innovation

Whether you are a crypto investor, founder, or simply exploring the future of Web3, this episode provides grounded insights from someone deeply active in the investment landscape.

🎧 Listen now and explore how the crypto industry is evolving beyond speculation into long-term infrastructure and value

Get in touch with Vineet: via his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vineetbudki/
Sigma Capital Profile: https://lucidityinsights.com/investors/sigma-capital-5062

Support the show

"The Perfect Pitch," is a newly launched Podcast Show by Lucidity Insights. Join LucidityInsights.com for an exclusive masterclass series featuring top Venture Capitalists in the Middle East & Africa region. Get all the essential insights to kickstart your fundraising journey. 🚀

[ Watch this episode on video ]

Follow our Socials: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter (X)