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The Spark! with Shereen podcast show amplifies the voices of the Middle East startup ecosystem. Join Shereen Abdulla as she interviews government officials, entrepreneurs, and investors and about technology and innovation trends. This show was recorded in 2020 and 2021. The information provided is current as of the time of recording each episode. Shereen Abdulla produces business and finance content out of Spark! Studios in Dubai.
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How to structure and market B2C marketplace apps
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Kerem Kuyucu who's the co-founder of JustMop, a platform that connects home dwellers with at-home service providers. Kerem has extensive experience building and scaling startups as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Rocket Internet and Country Manager at Foodonclick. Together we discuss: Aspects of marketplace a…
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Rasha Rady who's the co-founder and COO of Chefaa, a pharmacy platform that helps patients order, schedule, and have medicine delivered to consumers' doorsteps. Rasha is a pediatrician, by background, who got out of her comfort zone and into the entrepreneurship world to serve more patients and have a larger …
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Finding new markets for existing products
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Lamya Al Shammary who's the founder and CEO of MWJ, the first marketplace to buy new and pre-loved certified luxury watches in the MENA region. Lamya is a watch and jewelry connoisseur and industry expert with over 10 years of experience. Combined with expertise in e-commerce and an understanding of the marke…
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Myriam Awad who's the founder and CEO of PotPay (formerly Bakala), a startup on a mission to digitize offline retail data. As an organization that digitizes offline retail data, PotPay's business model is B2B2C. They work with retailers and brands with their main audience being Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMC…
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A more diligent approach to tackling bugs
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Toghrul Samad who's the founder and CEO of Buglance, a crowdsourced testing platform that utilizes the power of the people to revolutionize the software testing industry. Toghrul is a serial entrepreneur, problem solver, and Chief Executive with 15 years of experience in promoting e-commerce websites, mobile …
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Philip Bahoshy whose the founder and CEO of MAGNiTT, the first venture data platform serving founders and investors across emerging markets. Philip worked at Oliver Wyman in the Financial Services practice for three years, followed by nearly three years at Barclays Wealth working as Chief of Staff to the CEO,…
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A decade of evolution in MENA's startup ecosystem
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Bedy Yang, Managing Partner at 500 Startups. Bedy oversees 500’s ecosystem development programs including investor education courses (in partnership with top institutions such as Stanford, Berkeley, and INSEAD), has helped launch strategic partnerships and accelerator programs across the globe, and leads 500’…
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Build winning ventures with corporate partners
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Leen Nabulsi who is a Venture Lead at Rainmaking Innovation. Leen focuses on corporate venture building, where she works on scoping, validating, building, and launching new ventures with large corporations. Leen was also the Managing Director of Dubai Smart City Accelerator (a Startupbootcamp program) and is …
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Win professionally and personally through support systems as a working mom
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Julie Nguyen who is the founder of Crunchmoms. Crunchmoms is a community and networking platform for working moms to connect with like minded-women and boost their career ambitions. Crunchmom is now available as a web-based community. There are weekly online sessions where moms discuss all sorts of different …
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Employee satisfaction equals customer satisfaction - how not to overlook wellness
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Ben Safra and Mila Nehme who are co-founders of Sensate. Ben & Mila are seasoned retail and customer experience professionals with a demonstrated history of working within the international luxury goods and jewelry industry. Ben has worked with powerhouses in the industry such as LV, Burberry, D&G, Tiffany & …
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Basil Moftah to discuss the global mindset amongst entrepreneurs. Basil is an experienced venture builder and partner at Global Ventures, a growth-focused VC that invests in disruptive startups with an enterprise technology focus in the Middle East and North Africa region. Together we discuss: The importance …
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Do business mindfully to receive more wins
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Sagi Melamed to discuss mindful investing. Sagi is the author of Mindful Fundraising as well as a resource development consultant. Together we discuss: Applying mindfulness when fundraising Benefits of being mindful when doing business Measures of business impact How to measure business impact Want to read th…
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How to set up a startup of startups and tackle several opportunities at once
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In our latest episode, we sit down with Faris Mesmar to discuss venture building. Faris is a serial entrepreneur as well as the founder and managing partner of Hatch & Boost, which is a venture builder. Hatch & Boost is all about creating value in MENA's consumer space by tackling key problems, by introducing interesting solutions. Together we disc…
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Maximize your performance, fitness and sleep quality using wearables
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In our latest episode, we dig deep with Marcus Smith on the topic of wearables. Marcus is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, fitness coach, and extreme athlete. He is the founder of InnerFight and takes on "extreme challenges," such as, running 30 marathons in 30 days. Together we discuss: The various wearables available in the market How to se…
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In our latest episode, we had an engaging conversation with Nouf Alharthi. Nouf works for Monsha'at, which the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). She is an enabler in the ecosystem and works very closely not just with other ecosystem players but also with entrepreneurs in order to assess what th…
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Applying 3D printing, VR, and gamification in healthcare
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In our latest episode, we sit with Mohamed Dhaouafi to discuss how he is bringing 3D printing, VR, and gamification technologies to healthcare. More specifically, through his company CURE BIONICS, based in Tunis, he builds bionic prosthetics and therapeutic solutions using these technologies. Mohamed is a 2020 FORBES Middle East 30 Under 30, a 2020…
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Building mental resilience through community
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In this episode, we’ll be talking about how to keep your mental health intact as an entrepreneur. We had a meaningful discussion with Areije Al-Shakar, who has guided startups throughout her career in the area of funding (debt, equity, and VC), and along the way has learned about effective coaching and mentoring whilst appealing to the human side o…
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Exploring new models of the publishing industry, with John Lillywhite
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In this episode, we’ll be talking about the digitization of media in the Middle East. We sit down with John Lillywhite, who has a wealth of experience in this industry having undertaken several publication-focused roles both at corporations and entrepreneurial ventures. Together we discuss: Media consumption habits of Arabs in the Middle East Diffe…
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Win at hosting virtual experiences, with Ali Rifai
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In this episode, we’ll be talking about events and how the event management industry has changed over 2020. We sit down with is Ali Rifai, who has spent over 10 years organizing events of all scales in the Middle East whilst working for one of the largest live entertainment event management companies in the region. Together we discuss: How the musi…
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How to sustainably run a farm in the desert, with Dr. Majid Al Qassimi
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In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Majid Al Qassimi, who is a founding partner for the Middle East's only food & agricultural sustainability consulting company, SOMA MATER. We discuss the following aspects from farm to fork: The importance of food security The UAE’s efforts towards ensuring food security Agriculture technology trends that suppor…
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Monetize your media and grow your audience, with Richard Fitzgerald
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In this episode, we sit down with Richard Fitzgerald, who is the CEO and Co-founder of Augustus Media, which owns the Lovin Dubai, Lovin Saudi, Smashi TV platforms. We discuss: News platforms- what it means to the public and how they prefer to access and interact with it The media industry in the Middle East vs. global markets How to monetize and p…
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How to produce and consume within the booming podcast industry, with Leila Hamadeh
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Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here. Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin. Subscribe to our newsletter on our website. Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at hello@sparkstudiosgroup.com Podcasts hosted by @shereenabdulla. Produced by Spark! Studios. We are a creative brand studi…
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Consider apprenticeships for experiential learning this fall, with Mehrad Yaghmai
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In this episode, we sit down with Mehrad Yaghmai, who is an active entrepreneur and investor in the EdTech industry in the Middle East. We discuss: Education models to learn through practice (internships and apprenticeships) Who is best suited for apprenticeships and how to make the most of it Innovations in university business models Adapting lect…
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How to Enter and Win the $150bn Gaming Industry with Yousef BuHazza
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In this episode, we sit down with Yousef BuHazza, who is an active advocate of the gaming industry in the Middle East through Unreal Bahrain, to hear his insights on the gaming and e-sports industry. We discuss: What makes a successful game What you need to do to develop a game How to operate e-sports tournaments How train to participate in e-sport…
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Is the Middle East Ready to Resemble a World Like the Jetsons'? with Jamil Asfour
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In this episode, we sit down with Jamil Asfour to hear his insights on industries that are leveraging Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. We discuss: Industries in the Middle East that are leveraging ML & AI How governments can foster innovation within ML & AI The benefits of integrating ML & AI into businesses Want to read the episode in…
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Fostering Innovation Through Creative Spaces & Communities with Raja Al Mazrouei
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15:19
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In this episode, we sit down with Raja Al Mazrouei to hear her insights on building an innovation hub as the Executive Vice President of the DIFC FinTech Hive. We discuss: Structuring corporate ventures for success. COVID-19's effect of startup co-working spaces and accelerators. The importance of communities to drive innovation. Want to read the e…
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Communicate Effectively with Investors, Clients, and Media with Walid Dib
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23:47
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In this episode, we sit down with Walid Dib to hear his insights on presentation tips for Founders in the Middle East. We discuss: How to present to prospective clients, investors, and media How to approach business development within a startup His experience growing Addenda in a traditional and conservative market Walid Dib is the CEO and Co-found…
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Startup Demographics & Diversity with Noor Salama
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15:38
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In this episode we sit down with Noor Salama, Ecosystem Community Manager at MAGNiTT, to cover the current state of diversity amongst Middle East startups. We discuss: Startup team demographics in the Middle East Benefits of diverse teams MENA startup Funding levels in the first half of 2020 Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes h…
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In this episode we sit down with Shahzad Bhatti, Founder & CEO of The Co-Dubai, to discuss: Trends in Retail post COVID-19 (online and offline) Software solutions that enable e-commerce The importance of seamless delivery and the role of aggregators Creating customer experiences to gain a competitive edge Payment processing options for retailers (p…
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In this trailer episode we provide you with an introduction to the Spark! with Shereen show. Want to read the episode instead? Access the show notes here. Feel like socializing? Connect with us on Instagram and Linkedin. Subscribe to our newsletter on our website. Got something you'd like to discuss with us? Email us at hello@sparkstudiosgroup.com …
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