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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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

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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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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

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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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In this episode of the Lucidity Insights podcast: The Perfect Pitch, we sit down with angel investor and ecosystem builder Lucy Chow, who shares hard-won truths about startup fundraising.

From explaining why founders should “fire their angel” if the fit is wrong, to stressing the danger of giving away too much equity early on — Lucy doesn't hold back. She unpacks the biggest funding red flags, the different stages of capital (friends & family, angels, VCs), and how early investors often bring more value through mentorship and network than money itself.

Lucy also dives into why she invests in female founders, how gender diversity correlates with higher returns, and the rising role of C-suite executives as angel investors. Whether you're a founder navigating your first raise, a woman looking to become an angel, or just curious about how funding really works in the Middle East and beyond — this conversation is full of insight, honesty, and action-ready advice.

LUCY CHOW’S LINKEDIN

"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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Lucidity Insights wrapped up its debut The Perfect Pitch podcast season in 2024, offering actionable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Erika Welch shared her top 5 takeaways from conversations with the Middle East and Africa's most influential investors: not every business is VC-backable, bootstrapping can often be better than fundraising, your founding team matters more than your idea, embrace failure early, and always research your investors.

This series has empowered thousands of founders to craft the perfect pitch, navigate funding challenges, and build investable teams. As we gear up for an even more impactful 2025 season, dive into these invaluable lessons for startup success.

"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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In this episode of The Perfect Pitch Podcast, we sit down with Mikael Hajjar and Hisham Halbouny, Managing Partners at P1 Ventures, to uncover the secrets of scaling startups in Africa. Mika and Hisham share their unique insights into why they think Africa is the most interesting startup ecosystem today. They speak into why they prioritize authentic, resilient founders that can grow their businesses with velocity, and why having a deep connection to the problems they’re solving is critical.

The conversation highlights the exciting opportunities emerging in Africa’s fintech, AI, and tech infrastructure sectors; and with interesting real-life examples of players making major strides on the continent.

Don’t miss this compelling episode filled with stories of resilience, innovation, and the rise of Africa as a startup powerhouse. Listen now to be inspired and informed about the future of business on the continent.

- P1 Ventures Investment Profile (Lucidity Insights)
- P1 Ventures website
- Mikael's LinkedIn Profile
- Hisham's LinkedIn

"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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In this episode of The Perfect Pitch Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jonathan Doerr, Partner at Antler (Middle East), to explore the dynamics of launching and scaling startups in the region. Jonathan shares insights into why early-stage institutional investors in the region prioritize strong teams, traction, and well-defined ideas. He also delves into Antler’s unique approach, including its intensive 10-week residency program that brings together top entrepreneurial talent for co-founder matchmaking.

Tune in as Jonathan tries to explain the magic sauce found in the perfect founding team. Whether you're curious about the value of team dynamics, the challenges of fundraising, or the perfect time to start a company, this episode is packed full with valuable takeaways for founders and investors alike.

"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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Rabih Khoury, the Managing Partner and Chief Exit Officer at Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), shares his remarkable journey from being a structural engineer in the US to becoming a pivotal figure in the regional Private Equity and Venture Capital space. Khoury discusses the evolution of his career, the unique challenges of the VC model in the Middle East, and the importance of strategic exits. With over $1.6 billion raised for its portfolio companies, MEVP’s story highlights the balance between risk and reward in emerging markets, and how it differs from the US market. Don’t miss this episode of The Perfect Pitch Podcast by Lucidity Insights to learn from one of the region’s most impactful leaders in VC.

"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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