Step Podcast

Scaling startups from seed to growth is a complex journey, fraught with challenges but also brimming with potential. Notable speakers, including Khaled Ghorab, Nitin Reen, Aya Sadder, Ahmad Mirghani, and Sami Bejjani, shared their insights and experiences, offering perspectives on preserving company culture, transitioning from employment to entrepreneurship, and understanding the changing expectat...

Startup programs help early-stage entrepreneurs succeed by providing community support, mentorship, and validation. Elliot Dunham, Baldeep Singh, Hasan Wehbi, and Firas Abdulwahid shared their insights on how startup programs helped them launch and grow their businesses, including the importance of networking with other founders, receiving guidance from experienced mentors, and gaining credibility...

In this dynamic conversation about niche and super apps, moderated by Lamis Abualkheir, two distinct teams emerge. The Super Apps team, represented by Amr Mostafa and Madiha Sattar, explores the potential of broadening their service platforms, while the Niche Apps team, Mamoun Hmedan, Hamad AlTamimi, and Vilhelm Hedberg, emphasizes the value of specialization and the focus on solving specific prob...

Conscious commerce is a growing movement that prioritizes sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical practices. Entrepreneurs Oliver Baillie, Gergana Abdulrahman, and Khyara Ranaweera elaborate on advocating for small, impactful changes in business and personal life to drive a global shift towards a more sustainable future. Sign up for Step events https://stepconference.com/ Subscribe now...

Many believe that the FinTech industry is oversaturated, but is this notion accurate? A panel with Celine Khattar, Saad Ansari, Nameer Khan, Sonia Gokhale, and Padmini Gupta explored them misconception about FinTech saturation, its impact on traditional financial institutions, the role of innovation, opportunities in the MENA region, and the importance of differentiation, illuminating the ever-evo...

Protecting data is crucial in the digital age. That's why experts Sam Itani, Srijith Nair, and Mossab Hussein took center stage to discuss the importance of data security, shedding light on the protection of private data, and the responsible utilization of public data. Sign up for Step events https://stepconference.com/ Subscribe now to the Step Feed newsletter for a daily roundup of the top tech...

AI has become a pivotal topic in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. Its impact spans across various industries, from healthcare to finance and marketing. In this podcast, Ali Aboukhreibe, an expert from Boopin, shares valuable insights on how AI is shaping the future of marketing and advertising, shedding light on its role in data-driven decision-making and its ability to leverage b...

Coffee, the global brew that awakens senses and fuels conversations, served as the backdrop for an enriching discussion featuring prominent speakers Paul Papadimitriou, Ali Al Ebrahim, Rashid AlFalasi, Mohammed Bostaji, and Amna Almansoori. In this caffeinated conversation, they stirred insights about the rapid growth of the coffee industry, its technological evolution, and the art of blending dat...

Exploring the complex journey of navigating product-market fit in the early stages of startups, this panel discussion features seasoned entrepreneurs from diverse industries. Abdelrazak Al Sharif of Sheraa , Zohare Haider of Jalebi.io , Jumana Al Darwish of Made For You global , and Helal Tariq Lootah of Lune Technologies discuss their experiences and challenges in finding the delicate balance bet...

The concept of the Metaverse—a vast virtual realm—paired with the revolutionary potential of NFTs is captivating the tech world and creative thinkers alike. In a recent conversation that delved into the fascinating realms of the Metaverse and NFTs, industry experts Zeina Akkawi, Atul Hedge, Craig Borthwick, Jimi Ibrahim, Jeremy Denisty came together to shed light on these rapidly evolving concepts...

In today's digital age, the value of authentic human connections often gets overshadowed. However, there are individuals who understand the power of forging meaningful relationships, both online and offline. Peter Shankman, renowned entrepreneur, author, and speaker, highlights the importance of genuine connections in our interconnected world. Sign up for Step events https://stepconference.com/ Su...

Initiatives, challenges, and opportunities linked to attaining sustainability goals through inventive startups and projects took center stage. Aby Sam Thomas, Elodie Robin, Deniz Tekerek, Zain, and Tarawneh engaged in a discussion about climate tech entrepreneurship and sustainability endeavors in the UAE. Sign up for Step events https://stepconference.com/ Subscribe now to the Step Feed newslette...

The gig economy, remote work, and the changing landscape of talent acquisition in the modern world have transformed the way we think about employment and work arrangements. Colin McDonagh explores this shift based on conversations with friends and colleagues seeking new job opportunities. Sign up for Step events https://stepconference.com/ Subscribe now to the Step Feed newsletter for a daily roun...

Corporate governance is not just an overhead, but an essential part of building a startup that protects shareholder interests in the long term. Suraya Turk, Rawan Baddour, Ravishankar GV, Rayan Alsharif, and Abdallah Mutawi discussed the importance of corporate governance in the early stages of startups in a panel discussion. Sign up for Step events https://stepconference.com/ Subscribe now to the...

Branding is an essential element that can make or break a business, shaping its identity and market presence. But there is much more to it than meets the eye. Experts Daniela Rossi, Bassem Saber, Nader Amiri, and Nina Seredia, with their extensive experience and expertise, engage in a compelling discussion on the challenges and strategies of building successful ventures within the branding landsca...

How does an artist from Trinidad revolutionize the music and tech industries while embracing change and diversity? Join Chris Leacock, aka Jillionaire, a renowned artist and tech visionary, on an inspiring journey that breaks cultural barriers. Sign up for Step events https://stepconference.com/ Subscribe now to the Step Feed newsletter for a daily roundup of the top tech & business news https...

Innovation and uncertainty go hand in hand when it comes to building or managing a startup. Mohamed Amine Merah, Ahmed Arif, Mohammed H. Khashoggi, and Rayan Alsharif discuss the challenging process of entering unregulated markets, but also highlight the positive outcomes that can be achieved. Sign up for Step events https://stepconference.com/ Subscribe now to the Step Feed newsletter for a daily...

Dubai, a vibrant city in the United Arab Emirates, has rapidly emerged as a global hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. Its strategic location, business-friendly policies, and forward-thinking vision have attracted entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts from around the world. Racha Ghamlouch of Digital Digest, Diplomat Meghan Gregonis, US Consul in Dubai, and Saeed Al Nofali of In5 expl...

Andrew Gazdecki, founder of Acquire.com , shares key highlights from his entrepreneurial journey with Zubair Paracha of Refunnel, including starting the marketplace for internet businesses, making acquisitions, and expanding the customer base, as well as mistakes made, the importance of hiring smart individuals, and offers advice for internet entrepreneurs. Sign up for Step events https://stepconf...

Do you ever wonder about the emotional journey entrepreneurs go through after an exit? Join Khaled Talhouni of Nuwa Capital, Ali Halabi of Voltlines, Ziyaad Ahmed of Spotii, and Tammer Qaddumi of VentureSouq as they explore the emotional changes, post-exit depression, and the pendulum swings that founders experience as well as the relief of paying back investors, the potential pitfalls of going pu...

Can you strike a balance between scale and profitability? In a debate between investors Laith Zraikat of Arzan VC and Yana El Dirani of Modus Capital, and founders Mohannad Ali of Hotjar, Nida Sumar of 60 Day Startups, Lloyed Lobo of Traction Ventures, and Yousef Albarqawi of Alfii, moderated by Shubham Yadav of Strategy Connect, they delve into the definition of profit from the standpoint of inve...

The number of Fintech is continuously growing and becoming the latest talk of the town. Fintech speakers Shafique Ibrahim of Walvat, Ihsan Al Hayek of DAPI, Danny Abla of Bankiom & Narendra Nandal of Nym Card spill all the details about the growth of the fintech in a fragmented market, the role regulations play in the Fintech space and the effective strategies recommended for fintech to get in...

Diving into long-term and short-term effective solutions can be really impactful in reducing the carbon emissions in the MENA region. Anne Marie Thodsen of The Umbrella Institute, Jeremy Crane of Yellow Door Energy, Vielham Hedberg of ekar and Cornelius Mattes of Dii Desert Energy discuss the process of transitioning into renewable energy sources, the hard challenges that come along with it and th...

What is the right talent in the startup space? How can we keep and secure talent in a company? Christian Eid of Ducklife, Nathalie Spree of True Search, Adel Khalil Hemdan of Talabat, Tymour Fisher of Nomad homes, and Shubham Yadav of Startegy Connect are leading tech experts and are here to talk about the sources of these issues and provide effective solutions to close the talent gap while discus...

With the amount of data that we're putting out there, it's becoming easier to get hacked, especially when UAE is one of those leading on the digital government in the world. Mossab Hussein of SpiderSilk, Rudy Shoushany of Dxtalks, Mohammed Amine Belarbi of Project Cypher and Multimedia Journalist Salim Essaid discuss the the threats to personal data, educating companies on the need for cybersecuri...