In this episode, we sit down with Muhammed Yesilhark, Chief Investment Officer at NOIA Capital, to unpack how top investors think about capital, risk, and the future of money.

Muhammed shares his journey through the world of hedge funds, including insights from working with Steve Cohen, and explains what it really takes to operate at the highest level of global finance. We dive into the moment when companies should start thinking globally, and how family offices decide where to place long-term capital.

The conversation explores what sets NOIA Capital apart from traditional family offices, why institutional investors are increasingly allocating to digital funds, and how Bitcoin compares to gold as a store of value. Muhammed also offers a broader perspective on sound money, the potential role of Bitcoin as a global currency, and what the future financial system might look like.

We wrap up with practical advice for founders and fund managers, as Muhammed breaks down what makes a perfect pitch and what investors actually listen for when evaluating opportunities.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply curious about the intersection of traditional finance, crypto, and global investing, this episode offers valuable insights from inside the world of family offices and institutional capital.

Muhammed Yesilhark’s Linkedin
NOIA Capital Investor Profile

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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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This special Startup Spotlights episode was filmed live at Expand North Star (ENS) 2025, the world’s largest startup and investor event (October 2025).

In this exclusive conversation, Michael Maylahn — Startup Founder and Investor at Plug and Play UAE — shares the lessons, mindset shifts, and practical frameworks behind building ventures, raising capital, and now backing the next wave of founders in the region.

Together with host and Chief Content Officer of Lucidity Insights, Erika Welch, Michael walks through his entrepreneurial journey, the reality of startup fundraising, and what founders must prove before any investor is willing to write a check. He explains how founders can position themselves so investors come to them, how to validate market demand creatively (even with limited resources), and why the biggest fundraising mistakes are often rooted in unclear storytelling rather than bad ideas.

Michael also breaks down what makes a complex idea “investable,” how Plug and Play evaluates startups, and where he sees the most exciting opportunities across emerging tech, the UAE ecosystem.
A high-signal, founder-focused episode for anyone raising capital, refining their pitch, or navigating today’s fast-moving startup landscape.

Michael Maylahn’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmaylahn/
Plug and Play Investor Profile: https://lucidityinsights.com/investors/plug-and-play-15

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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From Startup Scaling at Careem to Venture Capital at Shorooq — Omer Zabit shares his insights and lessons on this episode of The Perfect Pitch Podcast by Lucidity Insights. Host and Founder of Lucidity Insights, Erika Welch sits down with Omer to unpack these lessons from being part of building one of the Middle East’s biggest unicorns and now backing the next generation of founders at Shorooq.

Omer opens up about the mindsets that separate great founders from good ones — from operating in “Founder Mode” and “Beast Mode” to knowing when to take a sabbatical to reset and realign. He also shares how AI is reshaping the startup landscape, making it faster, cheaper, and easier than ever to build… and why he thinks Dubai is the best place in the world to build a business today. Plus, we dive into Shorooq’s investment thesis, what the firm is looking for in early-stage founders, and why operational experience gives investors a unique edge.

Omer Zabit Linkedin
Shorooq Partners Investor Profile

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)