with Loulou

Hosted by Loulou Khazen

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105

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Jun 2026

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About the show

What does it actually take to build, run, and scale a business in the Arab world and how do global events shape it? With Loulou is the only Arab business podcast hosted by an operator and investor with skin in the game. I share my take, and then invite the founders, investors, operators, and thinkers who are shaping the region. Featured 4× on Apple Podcasts Middle East.

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June 16, 202648 min

HE Faisal Belhoul on the UAE That Came Out of the War: Capital, the World Cup and the IPO

Where do you put your money in the Gulf right now? Loulou sits down with one of the UAE's most experienced investors to read the region as it actually is in June 2026: the regional war still the dominant story, the World Cup just under way and more. HE Faisal Belhoul is a veteran Emirati investor and entrepreneur, former Vice Chair of Dubai Chambers, and chairman of UAE second-division football club Fursan Hispania (co-built with Real Madrid legend Michel Salgado). He has been one of the most consistent backers of operators building global businesses out of Dubai for two decades. For students, fresh graduates and aspiring founders, Belhoul closes with the single quality he backs in founders, the apprentice model he believes in, and the line he was given by a founder he is mentoring: "I eat 'no' for breakfast." Chapters: 01:57 - The Three Big Stories of the Week 03:15 - Football as a Family Affair: 22 Years Waiting for Arsenal 5:28 - Mohamed Salah and Football's Soft Power 16:38 - Why Sport Survives the AI Era 20:52 - Dubai Chambers and the Private Sector's Role 26:29 - How Moove Grew From $10M to $400M Revenue 36:43 - Can Expats Still Build a Life Here at 60? 38:10 - Golden Visas and What Comes Next 43:01 - INJAZ and the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs 44:44 - The One Founder Trait Belhoul Backs: Perseverance Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guests HE Faisal Belhoul Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisalbelhoul/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faisalbelhoulofficial/ Also available on Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/3Stm32D Spotify https://bit.ly/3H1vzHO Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 2, 20261 hr 2 min

Two top angel investors are DOUBLING down on the GCC, but what are they investing in?

Abdullah Mutawi, Partner & Head of Corporate MENA at Taylor Wessing, and Kushal Shah, Private Markets Investor, join Loulou for a conversation (episode 103) on where opportunity really sits in the GCC today. They unpack angel investing, founder red flags, why many startups fail despite strong products, and the lessons that come from writing early-stage checks. The discussion also explores cash-generating businesses versus venture-backed startups, SME rollups, the impact of AI on investing, and why the region continues to attract founders, capital, and talent from around the world. Chapters 00:00 Three investors. One question: Where do you put your money? 03:24 Why angel investing is the highest-risk type of investing 06:23 The expensive lesson from a failed startup investment 09:41 What to look for in a founder before you write the cheque 20:15 Groupthink, red flags and why solo investors get burned 22:59 The pivot: why Kushal quit VC for SME roll-ups 30:30 1.2 million UAE SMEs: the opportunity hiding in plain sight 34:52 SaaS is dead. What's actually worth backing? 40:04 Angels: preference stacks, secondaries and knowing when to exit 57:28 AI, source of truth and the risk of outsourcing your thinking Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guests Abdullah Mutawi Partner & Head of Corporate MENA, Taylor Wessing LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mutawi/ Kushal Shah Private Markets Investor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushyahvi/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 19, 202652 min

The $240M startup trying to fix trade in the Strait of Hormuz

Gaurav Biswas, Founder & CEO of Trukker, joins Loulou for a timely conversation on what happens to GCC supply chains when the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. They unpack how cargo was rerouted through alternate ports, land bridges, and trucking networks while food security, industrial supply, and construction materials came under pressure. Gaurav also breaks down Trukker’s 75,000+ driver network, the reality of building a $240M revenue logistics business, and why resilience is now a strategic priority for the region. Chapters 00:00 Why the Strait of Hormuz disruption matters 04:07 What happened on the ground when the crisis started 07:35 Food security, industrial pressure, and why trucking became critical 10:18 Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi ports, and the alternate route problem 17:28 How one truck went from moving 4 containers a day to 1 21:38 Why Trukker chose not to profiteer from war 31:01 Building a $240M logistics business with less than 1% market share 38:57 Venture debt, dilution, and the real cost of startup capital Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guest Gaurav Biswas, Founder & CEO of Trukker Website: https://trukker.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gauravbiswas/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 12, 202655 min

9 of 14 MENA Tech IPOs Are Underwater. Now What?

Philip Bahoshy, Founder & CEO of Magnitt, and Ziad Awad, Founder & CEO of Awad Capital, join Loulou for episode 100 of With Loulou. Recorded during a period of regional uncertainty, this conversation looks at what is really happening across MENA private markets, venture capital, M&A, IPOs, and the future of exits in the region. Chapters 00:00 Episode 100 and the first two-guest format 03:00 Public markets vs private markets 10:00 What Magnitt’s Q1 2026 VC data reveals 19:00 M&A activity across the UAE and Saudi Arabia 23:00 The exit problem for regional startups 33:00 Valuations, transparency, and ecosystem maturity 45:00 Why billion-dollar companies are harder to build in MENA 58:30 Rapid fire on IPOs, defense funds, and underpriced opportunities Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Follow the guest Philip Bahoshy, Founder & CEO of Magnitt Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipbahoshy/ Ziad Awad, Founder & CEO of Awad Capital Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziad-awad-4925a11/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 5, 202644 min

Here's why the UAE didn't collapse in the face of US/ Iran war

Day 56 of the Iran war. Most international press wrote Dubai's obituary in March. Predictions of a mass exodus, the end of the UAE story, a 15 year setback. None of it happened. 2,800 strikes were fired at this region. Almost nobody left. Trevor McFarlane, Founder and CEO of EMIR, advisor to GCC CEOs and government leaders, explains why. Recorded in Dubai, April 22, 2026. Day 56 of the Iran war. Chapters: 00:00 Reality TV geopolitics (cold open) 00:44 Day 56: where the UAE actually stands 01:48 Why this is a "coercive pause," not a resolution 03:43 Why Rory Stewart was wrong about Dubai 11:32 What systems thinking means for a country under attack 14:54 Which sectors hold up — and which don't 21:34 Tourism, luxury, and the floating population 24:09 The next phase: sovereign resiliency in the GCC 31:28 150 CEOs, 2,800 strikes, nobody left 36:54 The real story: sociological diversification 40:18 "A place you belong, not a place you use" 41:08 Rapid fire: GDP, levers, decisions in uncertainty Trevor McFarlane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormcfarlane-emir/ EMIR: https://www.emirintelligence.com/ Follow Loulou Khazen Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X: /louloukhazen Also available on: Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3Stm32D Spotify: https://bit.ly/3H1vzHO Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 28, 202658 min

$212M Gone. Inside the Nana collapse with a Gulf VC

A Saudi quick-commerce startup raised $212 million and just collapsed. MENA VC funding fell 37% year-over-year. Late-stage debt is frozen. Khaled Talhouni — Managing Partner of Nuwa Capital, one of the most active GCC funds with 53 portfolio companies across Saudi, the UAE, and Egypt joins With Loulou to break down what's actually happening in the regional venture market right now. Recorded in Dubai, April 22, 2026. Chapters: 00:00 The state of MENA VC right now 02:35 What's actually happening in the Gulf 06:55 53 portfolio companies through the war 12:45 The Q1 numbers: $941M, -37% YoY, and the late-stage freeze 18:20 How to deploy capital when nothing is priced 24:35 The case for investing during downturns 28:05 IPOs, secondaries, and where MENA exits actually happen 33:20 Why Nana burned $212M (the dark store math) 47:30 The "Accenture for AI" thesis 54:20 Rapid fire: 2026's biggest MENA exit, deals he regrets, the underrated sector 57:15 What he'd do differently Khaled Talhouni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaledtalhouni/ Nuwa Capital: https://www.nuwacapital.io Follow Loulou: Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March 14, 20261 hr 3 min

Special Episode: When War Stops Feeling Far Away | Mo Gawdat

In this special episode, Loulou Khazen speaks with Mo Gawdat about fear, uncertainty, and the psychological impact of war. في هذه الحلقة الخاصة، تتحاور لولو خازن مع مو جودة حول الخوف وعدم اليقين والتأثير النفسي للحروب. As the Gulf faces a moment that can no longer be ignored, this conversation explores what happens inside people when threat stops feeling abstract. ومع لحظة حساسة تعيشها منطقة الخليج ولا يمكن تجاهلها، يستكشف هذا الحوار ما يحدث داخل الإنسان عندما يتوقف الخطر عن كونه فكرة بعيدة ويصبح واقعاً. From anxiety and overload to risk assessment, parenting, media fatigue, and emotional regulation, this is a practical conversation about how to think clearly and stay human when the world feels unstable. من القلق وتدفق المعلومات إلى تقييم المخاطر وتربية الأطفال وإرهاق الأخبار وتنظيم المشاعر، يقدم هذا الحوار نقاشاً عملياً حول كيفية التفكير بوضوح والحفاظ على إنسانيتنا عندما يبدو العالم غير مستقر. Key Moments محطات الحلقة What you will learn ماذا ستتعلم في هذه الحلقة ✔️ Why the brain struggles so much with uncertainty لماذا يعاني العقل البشري كثيراً عند مواجهة عدم اليقين ✔️ How fear changes the way we think, feel, and behave كيف يغير الخوف طريقة تفكيرنا وشعورنا وتصرفاتنا ✔️ How media overload distorts judgment and increases stress كيف يؤدي الإفراط في متابعة الأخبار إلى تشويه الحكم وزيادة التوتر ✔️ How to assess risk without spiraling كيف يمكن تقييم المخاطر دون الوقوع في دوامة القلق ✔️ Why calm is a better way to function under pressure لماذا يعتبر الهدوء الطريقة الأفضل للتعامل مع الضغوط ✔️ How to support children emotionally during crisis كيف يمكن دعم الأطفال عاطفياً أثناء الأزمات ✔️ How not to lose your humanity in difficult times كيف نحافظ على إنسانيتنا في الأوقات الصعبة 00:00 Introduction | المقدمة 02:35 Why this conversation became necessary | لماذا أصبح هذا الحوار ضرورياً 05:00 What war does to the human mind | كيف تؤثر الحروب على العقل البشري 08:10 How social media normalized violence | كيف جعلت وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي العنف يبدو طبيعياً 11:50 How to question your thoughts in a crisis | كيف نراجع أفكارنا أثناء الأزمات 15:10 Propaganda, media overload, and fear | الدعاية وتدفق المعلومات وتأثيرهما على الخوف 18:45 Why uncertainty makes us anxious | لماذا يسبب عدم اليقين القلق 22:10 How the brain reacts to danger | كيف يتفاعل العقل مع الخطر 26:30 Real danger vs perceived danger | الفرق بين الخطر الحقيقي والخطر المتصور 30:40 How parents should talk to children about war | كيف يتحدث الآباء مع أطفالهم عن الحروب 35:10 Why compassion matters in a crisis | لماذا يظل التعاطف مهماً في الأزمات 40:15 How different people react to stress | كيف يختلف رد فعل الناس تجاه الضغط 45:00 How to stay calm during chaos | كيف نحافظ على هدوئنا وسط الفوضى 49:30 How to turn fear into clarity | كيف نحول الخوف إلى وضوح 55:40 How not to lose your humanity | كيف لا نفقد إنسانيتنا 01:01:00 What to remember from this conversation | ما الذي يجب أن نتذكره من هذا الحوار Follow Loulou Khazen تابعوا لولو خازن Instagram: /louloukhazen LinkedIn: /louloukhazen X (Twitter): /louloukhazen Also available on متوفر أيضاً على Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/3Stm32D Spotify https://bit.ly/3H1vzHO Share your feedback شاركونا آرائكم https://33s6g1ujw6w.typeform.com/to/K New to With Loulou? هل هذه أول مرة تتابعون Hi, I’m Loulou Khazen, based in Dubai. I started my journey as a tech entrepreneur, and today I’m a startup investor, podcaster, and speaker. Most importantly, I’m a mom of two. مرحباً، أنا لولو خازن، أعيش في دبي. بدأت مسيرتي كرائدة أعمال في مجال التكنولوجيا، واليوم أنا مستثمرة في الشركات الناشئة وبودكاستر ومتحدثة في الفعاليات. والأهم أنني أم لطفلين. To learn more, check out my LinkedIn profile or read my latest feature in Entrepreneur Magazine: للمزيد من المعلومات، يمكنكم زيارة صفحتي على لينكدإن أو قراءة مقابلتي الأخيرة في مجلة Entrepreneur: https://bit.ly/3QLwBKs Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 30, 20251 hr 2 min

E97: This Dubai Expat Risked Everything—Then Raised $30M to Build a Global Brand

Discover how Anam Khalid, co-founder and COO of Squatwolf, went from a small-town girl in Pakistan to building a global fitness brand from Dubai. In this inspiring conversation, Anam reveals the sacrifices, challenges, and truths of entrepreneurship, breaking gender barriers, and building a business with her husband. If you dream of creating your own success story, this episode will light the fire. 🌐 This episode is brought you you by:Whoop: https://join.whoop.com/us/en/loulou/ signup through this link to get an exclusive 1 month free with the Whoop device included!Bioniq: https://bioniq.com/loulou use code CWL40 for an exclusive 40% on your first order of Bioniq Go Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 16, 20251 hr 15 min

E96: أن تكون معروفاً أو أن تُمحى: عن المال والكرامة في عالمٍ تضيق فيه الخيارات | مع خبيرة التواصل والإعلامية نعمة أبو وردة

لماذا علينا أن نتحدث عن المال؟ ولماذا تكون النساء أكثر عرضة للموت مفلسات؟في هذه الحلقة، نستضيف الإعلامية العالمية، خبيرة التواصل، ومؤلفة كتاب "The Brilliant Communicator"، نعمة أبو وردة، وهي أيضاً صحفية سابقة في هيئة الإذاعة البريطانية (BBC)، لنغوص في قضايا المال، واتخاذ القرار، وأهمية الحضور والتعبير عن الذات.نعمة، بخبرتها في آلاف المقابلات وتدريب مئات الأشخاص، تشرح لنا لماذا لا تقل طريقة عرض المعرفة أهميةً عن المعرفة نفسها.هذه الحلقة ليست موجهة للنساء فقط، بل لكل من يسعى لفهم النظام، وكسر الصمت، وصناعة حياة مليئة بالخيارات والكرامة 🎁هذه الحلقة برعاية XM Arabia. زوروا الموقع للحصول على مكافآت تسجيل خاصة🌐 https://www.xmarabia.net/gw.php?gid=250167 🎁هذه الحلقة برعاية Mustashar Mini MBA. زوروا الموقع وإستعملو الكود: Loulou للحصول على خصم ٤٠٪ وكمان خصم إضافي ٢٠٪ إذا سجلتو قبل ١٠ آب🌐 https://www.mustasharminimba.com?coupon=LOULOU 👇 Explore the full journey below | استكشفوا محطات الحوار الكاملة هنا 👇00:00 مدخل تمهيدي للحلقة | Episode Hook00:54 التعريف بنعمة أبو وردة ومقدمة الحلقة | Meet Nima Abu Wardeh & Episode Intro01:29 رسالة نعمة إلى المستمعين | Nima’s Message to Listeners04:36 الفلسفة والدوافع وراء تفكير نعمة | Behind Nima’s Mindset & Drive07:02 لماذا من الضروري تبنّي منظور صانع القرار؟ | The Importance of Stepping into the Decision-Maker’s Shoes08:43 كن المدير التنفيذي لخبرتك | Become the CEO of Your Expertise10:28 نجاحك يتحدد بمن يعرفك، لا بمن تعرفه | Your Success Is Defined by Who Knows You, Not Who You Know12:29 أهمية بناء الحضور خارج إطار العمل | The Importance of Building Presence Beyond the Workplace16:38 ضعف شبكة العلاقات يؤدي إلى قلة الفرص المهنية | How a Weak Network Hurts Career Opportunities17:53 وجودك على منصة هو مفتاح نجاحك | Why Having a Platform Is Key to Success21:27 تميّزك يلغي المنافسة | Stand Out by Defining Your Uniqueness25:41 كيف تحقق أهدافك؟ دليل من الكتاب | Reaching Your Goals – Insights from the Book31:19 الفيل في المقابلة: الأسئلة غير المعلنة | Addressing the Elephant in Job Interviews34:08 امتلك خبرتك بثقة | Owning Your Expertise with Confidence38:59 عبّر للعالم عمّا تريده | Communicate What You Want to the World39:30 خطوات عملية لتحقيق الأهداف | Steps to Achieving Your Goals40:10 اقترض لتبني | Borrow to Build45:00 تدرّب على عرض قيمك عبر المنصات | Practice Sharing Your Values Across Platforms48:50 لماذا النساء أكثر عرضة للموت مفلسات؟ | Why Are Women More Likely to Die Broke?56:00 الحقيقة حول فجوة الأجور بين الجنسين | The Truth About the Gender Pay Gap01:02:00 الطلاق وتحمل المسؤولية المالية بمفردك | Divorce and the Burden of Being the Sole Provider01:04:05 تكلفة المعيشة بالنسبة للنساء | The Cost of Living for Women01:06:50 الظلم الواقع على النساء حول العالم | Injustice Toward Women Worldwide01:08:15 كيف تواجه المرأة المُهمشة واقعها؟ | How Can Disadvantaged Women Stand Up for Themselves?01:11:07 هل هناك ما يُسمى بوظيفة “أقل قيمة”؟ | Is There Such a Thing as a Lesser Job?01:11:45 كسر القيود الثقافية التي لا تخدمنا | Defying Cultural Norms That Don’t Serve Us01:14:48 كلمات ختامية | Closing Remarks Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 17, 20251 hr 28 min

E95: From Refugee Roots to Snapchat VP: Hussein Freijeh on Love, Progress and Authentic Leadership

What does progress mean when you start life as a refugee?In this heartfelt episode, Snapchat's MENA VP Hussein Freijeh opens up about building what his father and grandfather never had.We talk about fatherhood, the pressure to succeed, why he nearly lost his job in Big Tech, and how he's now mentoring others to find the path he once had to figure out alone.He also shares his vision for Snap as a platform that embraces simplicity, authenticity and creativity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.