Sandpit Startups

Join us in this inspiring session with Tarek Ghobar, co-founder of Paymennt and recognized as a Forbes Top 20 FinTech Entrepreneur. Discover how Paymennt is is transforming digital payments for micro and small businesses handle online payments by offering a quick, secure, and cost-effective solution. Tarek shares his experiences from managing FoodPanda in Saudi Arabia to spearheading Paymennt's innovative, secure, and cost-effective online payment solutions. Learn about the acquisition journey of his startup, his early entrepreneurial challenges, and the determination needed to thrive in the business world. Don't miss this compelling talk that delves deep into the realities and challenges of building a business.

In this episode, we have a food chat with Benjamin Mouflard, the co-founder of Chatfood. ChatFood offers restaurants a commission-free platform for online ordering and sales via social media and websites, with integrated payment and logistics solutions. We talk to Benjamin about his entrepreneurial journey from selling golf balls in his youth to getting Chatfood acquired by a global scaleup Deliverect. Benjamin with Chatfood raised more than USD 5 Million in funding and talks about making a name in a highly competitive UAE food-tech market.

In this squeaky clean episode we sit down with Jad Halaoui, the co-founder of Washmen, a digital laundry and dry-cleaning service in the UAE. We talk about Jad's journey from working in Canada one day for an Oil & Gas giant to take the leap of faith to fly to UAE and work with his co-founder Rami on Washmen. He talks about the highs of receiving multiple rounds of funding and being mentored by the co-founder of Careem to the lows of coping with the struggles and anxiety of his startup Washmen. A profound conversation where we talk about hiring, wellbeing and also startups.

In this startup forensics episode, we discuss with Ahmed Arif, the co-founder of Clara. Clara simplifies the intricate legal procedures of starting, expanding, and selling a startup in the UAE with their cutting-edge legal software. With Ahmed, we discuss how startup founders struggle to consolidate all their legal requirements especially when it's on a shoestring budget, but with Clara, it serves as a one-stop shop for all the legal requirements from creating your cap table, issuing Convertible Notes and also forming companies in different jurisdiction.

In this episode we are with the operations director of Astrolabs Lukas Krejca, Dubai-based digital capability building company. Astrolabs supports expansion of startups and scaleups to UAE and Saudi Arabia. It's a startup community where entrepreneurs leverage from resources and the network within UAE and KSA. Astrolabs helps with building sustainable ecosystem and act as an accelerator to thrive in competitive local market.

In this episode we drive down memory lane with Claudio Esposito-Aiardo co-founder of Carasti, Dubai-based car subscription start-up. From starting with a prototype to raising $5M and also expanding to Saudi Arabia. We learn the do's and don'ts of getting into a business and also how to manage customers in the early days. A really insightful story of starting a car subscription platform and making it as easy as ordering a pizza.

In this community-focused episode, join us with Cameron Lee Roberts, Founder of DYP Club (now YP Club), as we explore the incredible evolution of UAE's premier hub for aspiring young professionals. From its humble beginnings as a monthly gathering to becoming a powerhouse for thought leaders and innovators, YP Club unites ambitious minds, fostering connections and impactful discussions. Discover how Cameron shapes the future of young leadership communities in the UAE and beyond, offering insights on building communities and becoming tech powered.

In this super charged episode with Talal Thabat the Cofounder of Haltia we discuss all things AI which includes Sam Altman and ChatGPT to data and privacy issues. We talk about how Haltia will change the life of people with this AI super app making one not only more productive and efficient but most importantly giving you time to do the things that you love. Get ready for this AI powered episode and to geek out on the tech of the future.

In this unique episode with 'Tech Angel' and Founder of Inheaden, Dennis Kohl. We discover the new form of investment, unlike the venture studios, rather the tech angel concept is a new and unique take on investment that combines the VC business model but with a Tech Enabler concept. We talk to Dennis about how it all started, their growth in Europe and now their expansion to the UAE. Exciting angle for all the pre-seed stage entrepreneurs out there!

Join us in this exciting episode as with 'The Dubai Matchmaker' and Founder of the Maxion app. Her journey from a Teacher in Abu Dhabi to a Tech founder is inspirational and her matchmaking app is set to change the conventional dating app landscape in UAE and beyond. Bringing compatible connections via a convenient concierge to make sure you can focus on the things that really matter i.e. finding love and connections.

Join us in this exciting episode as we sit down with Siddiq Farid, the co-founder of SmartCrowd, a revolutionary real estate crowdfunding platform in the UAE! Discover how you can now turn property investment into a hassle-free, stock-like experience with as little as 500 AED. Own properties, enjoy rental returns, and watch your investments grow from the comfort of your own home. Don't miss this episode to unlock the world of real estate investing like never before!

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Raja Abuljebain, the CEO of Essentially Juices, an innovative F&B startup dedicated to health and wellness. Dive into the fascinating journey of "Essentially" as we discuss the challenges and growth strategies in a competitive F&B industry with a limited product shelf life. Whether you're in the F&B business or dreaming of launching your own, this conversation is packed with valuable insights. Get ready for a nourishing discussion that could change the game for your startup!

In this episode we are with Elliott Denham the Program Manager at SandBox, a groundbreaking program from Dtec. This startup program is designed to help founders unlock their full potential and guide them on their 0 to 1 journey, providing all the essential support and tools needed along the way. The program provides the guidance, resources, and connections to take your startup from concept to investment-ready. If you have a startup idea and want to join a program to realize your dreams, tune in to this episode as we go behind the scenes of what a startup program offers.

In this episode with Asher Siddiqui a General Partner at Sukna Ventures, an early stage VC firm . He is a seasoned investor, mentor that has led deals over $15 Billion. Asher has established himself as a trusted advisor to numerous VC firms in MENAP and has also been an entrepreneur. He was a partner at 500 startups in Silicon Valley, which is a global venture capital firm. We talk about the dynamic relationships of VC mindset and funding strategies. So, keep a pen and writing pad handy as we dive into this supercharged conversation

In this episode we are with Bianca Gracias the managing partner at Crimson Legal, a smart legal services firm providing legal solutions to help startups, SMEs and family offices achieve their business goals in the UAE . We talk about corporate governance, term sheets, NDAs and other important aspects with respect to Startups and SMEs. Subscribe now for more such legal clinics where we talk about startups and legalities !

Join us for an incredible episode featuring Steve Drake and Paul Donnely from Middle East Advisory Partners who are the masterminds behind a boutique consultancy startup for SMEs. With over 100 years of collective experience, including Big 4 consultancy backgrounds, they're ready to share their inspiring journey from corporate to startups. Don't miss this episode for invaluable insights and entrepreneurial inspiration!

We are joined in this episode by Saleem Bhatti who co-founded Starz Play Arabia. In this episode we find out the origin story of Starz Play and how they prepared themselves to go toe to toe with the likes of Netflix. Brace yourself for a dynamic conversation as we delve into Saleem's vast expertise and uncover new angles into the world of streaming services.

On this podcast episode discover the captivating journey of Hamples or "Happy Samples", a digital sampling platform founded by Husband and Wife, Gaurav and Aditi Oberoi. Join us as Gaurav shares his experiences from idea to seed funding, navigating the challenges of early-stage entrepreneurship. Learn how his past ventures with his wife influenced the shaping of Hamples and gain valuable insights for your own startup journey. Subscribe now for an inspiring conversation that will ignite your entrepreneurial spirit!

In this episode, we interviewed Shyam Visavadia, the co-founder of Wasta.ai – they build your professional network through video. Join us as Shyam shares his remarkable insights on the journey from corporate to startup. He shares the challenges of Wasta and the power of connections in today's business landscape. We delve into the intricacies and lessons learned as Shyam discusses the realities of starting, re-starting and finding his feet in the MENA region. This candid conversation provides a unique story of Shyam's experiences and gain valuable insights into network effects of Wasta.ai and its impact on business connections.

In this episode, we host Aman Singh, an Entrepreneur in Residence at Urban Company. Join us as Aman shares his valuable insights on the journey and challenges of entering a new market, with a mention of Urban Company's expansion into KSA. Discover the intricacies and lessons learned as Aman discusses the realities of navigating new territories for business expansion. This candid conversation provides a unique opportunity to learn from Aman's experiences and gain valuable insights into the world of business expansion.