Startups Arabia

Hosted by Ali Zewail

Business Education NewsInterviews guests

Episodes

Language

EN-US

About the show

The Arab startups scene is one of the hottest globally. The Startups Arabia podcast is the place to learn all about it. With a 420 million strong population that is young and tech-savvy, the Arab world is proving to be a great market to create a startup. This podcast interviews the best founders, investors and operators of the region. Listening to deep conversations with them, you will learn deep insights about the ecosystem. You will also be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

Listen to episodes

36 recent

1 hr 26 min

Yasmine El-Mehairy, Building Dija, Empowering Women & Navigating Uncertain Terrain – Ep.8, Season 3

Yasmine El-Mehairy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dija, a platform helping Muslim women invest with confidence in a way aligned with their faith and values. Yasmine is a serial entrepreneur, passionate about startups with purpose. Before launching Dija, she worked in global financial service organizations like City Ventures and Deloitte Digital, as well as founding and managing other startups in various fields, like digital media and e-commerce. She previously Co-Founded SuperMama, the one-stop shop for mothers in the Arab world, which was acquired by Mawdoo3. She's also an expert in entrepreneurship, serving as a lecturer and tutor at Oxford University. Yasmine holds an executive MBA from London Business School, a master's in online media from the University of Westminster, and a bachelor's in computer Science from Egypt's Aisha's University, and has been strongly committed to creating the change she wants to see in the world by starting purposeful startups that contribute to the growing ecosystem. —-----------------------------------------------------------The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:LinkedIn: Startups Arabia PodcastTwitter: @ArabiaStartupsFacebook: @startupsarabiaYoutube: Startups Arabia Podcast—--- Resources—--------:Yasmine’s LinkedIn account: @Yamine El-MehairyDija Money’s Website: https://www.dija.money/ —-----------------------------------------------------------SHOW NOTES:00:00 Introduction to the Startups Arabia Podcast00:25 Meet Yasmine El-Mehairy: A Serial Entrepreneur02:17 Yasmine's Early Career and First Startup03:01 The Turning Point: From Corporate to Startup07:28 The Birth of SuperMama09:11 Challenges and Pivots in SuperMama's Journey19:46 SuperMama's Growth and Traction34:31 Navigating Investor Relations and Board Dynamics38:37 The Acquisition of SuperMama45:07 Transition to Dija Money and Financial Empowerment45:30 The Origin of Dija Money46:29 Financial Mistakes and Lessons Learned49:32 Gender and Financial Literacy54:18 Geopolitical and Socioeconomic Factors01:00:45 The Dija App: Vision and Development01:06:23 Building a Startup: Strategies and Challenges01:10:51 Personal and Professional Reflections01:20:53 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

1 hr 47 min

Ramez El-Serafy, The 14 year Journey of F6 and an Evolving Region – Ep.7, Season 3

Ramez El-Serafy is the General Partner and Co-Founder of F6 Ventures, bringing over 18 years of experience in technology, investments, entrepreneurship, and management. Before launching F6 Ventures, Ramez served as CEO of Flat6Labs from 2011 to 2025, where he led its transformation into one of the most active innovation platforms in the Middle East and Africa, expanding its footprint, scaling its operations, and investing in hundreds of high-growth startups.Earlier in his career, Ramez was responsible for building and managing the mobile applications business at Sarmady – a Vodafone company – and served as a board member of the Global Accelerator Network from 2014 to 2016. He holds a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from Alexandria University and is deeply committed to fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, and building impactful businesses that shape the future of emerging markets.—-----------------------------------------------------------The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:LinkedIn: Startups Arabia PodcastTwitter: @ArabiaStartupsFacebook: @startupsarabiaYoutube: Startups Arabia Podcast—--- Resources—--------:Ramez’s LinkedIn account: @Ramez El-SerafyF6 Ventures’ Website: https://f6.vc/—-----------------------------------------------------------SHOW NOTES:00:00 Introduction to Ramez El-Serafy and the Podcast02:41 The Birth of Flat6Labs07:14 Challenges and Growth of Flat6Labs24:00 Expanding Beyond Egypt30:36 The Evolution into F6 Ventures38:59 Introduction to F6 Ventures39:30 Launching F6 Ventures and Portfolio Management40:33 Regional Strategies and Consolidation41:54 Investment Programs and Mandates43:00 Focus on Africa, Levant, and GCC52:07 Personal Transformation and Health Journey57:11 Fundraising Advice for Founders01:03:51 Investment Decision-Making Process01:10:22 Challenges in the Regional Ecosystem01:13:04 Navigating Market Challenges01:14:00 Geographical Diversification Strategy01:15:07 Startup Exit Options01:15:51 Investor Exit Strategies01:18:33 Impact of Exits on Ecosystems01:22:33 Key Questions for Founders01:25:36 Challenges in Fundraising01:28:38 Emerging Sectors and Technologies01:35:19 Building a Sustainable Ecosystem01:40:12 Future Goals and Expansion01:41:43 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

1 hr 33 min

Karim Jouini, Pursuing a Second Successful Startup and Rethinking his Identity as a Global Entrepreneur – Ep.6, Season 3

Born in Tunisia and “well-travelled”.Geek, started my first software company at the age of 16.Studied Software Engineering and AI at INSA Toulouse and University of Western Ontario.Joined Microsoft, where I spent 7 years — from Software Engineer to Engineering Manager — and truly fell in love with testing and quality.Then co-founded Expensya, an AI-powered expense management scale-up that grew across Europe and was acquired for over $100M.Now building Thunders: a no-code, agentic AI testing solution that empowers both developers and non-technical teams to automate end-to-end testing at scale — without writing a single line of code. Passionate about shipping faster, with confidence.—-----------------------------------------------------------The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:LinkedIn: Startups Arabia PodcastTwitter: @ArabiaStartupsFacebook: @startupsarabiaYoutube: Startups Arabia Podcast—--- Resources—--------:Karim’s LinkedIn account: @Karim JouiniThunders’ Website: https://www.thunders.ai/—-----------------------------------------------------------SHOW NOTES:00:00 Introduction to Karim Jouini and the Podcast03:10 Karim's Journey in Tech and Early Ventures05:00 The Importance of Hard and Soft Skills07:29 Challenges and Lessons from Building Expensya10:16 Founding Thunders and Its Vision25:56 Thunders’ Progress and Future Plans30:38 AI in Testing and Overcoming Regional Challenges47:55 Handling Customer Feedback50:16 Go-to-Market Strategy53:34 Team Size and Structure55:56 Remote Work Policy56:53 Leadership Principles59:37 Identity and Global Citizenship01:01:55 Impact of Global Events01:08:54 Fundraising Strategy01:13:05 Acquisition Decision01:17:32 Co-Founder Dynamics01:22:21 Regional Startup Ecosystem01:25:13 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

1 hr 34 min

Jon Edward Santillan, Selling to Careem, Starting his Second Company, and Building OCTA in Public – Ep.5, Season 3

Jon Santillan is the co-founder of OCTA, a platform automating financial operations for businesses — starting with accounts receivables and embedded financing. He’s a second-time founder, previously building and selling Denarii to Careem. Based in Dubai, Jon’s been operating in the region for over a decade, and he’s now focused on helping SMEs across the Middle East get paid faster, streamline workflows, and access capital when they need it.—-----------------------------------------------------------The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:LinkedIn: Startups Arabia PodcastTwitter: @ArabiaStartupsFacebook: @startupsarabiaYoutube: Startups Arabia Podcast—--- Resources—--------:Jon’s LinkedIn account: @Jon Edward SantillanOCTA’s Website: https://weareocta.com/—-----------------------------------------------------------SHOW NOTES:00:00 Introduction to Jon Santillan and the Podcast03:06 Journey to Founding OCTA04:49 Challenges and Solutions in Payment Collections09:21 Revenue Streams and Business Model17:40 Global Market Aspirations20:22 Fundraising and Investor Relations27:35 Early Career and SEO Expertise32:31 Entrepreneurial Journey and Founding Denarii45:03 Acquisition by Careem and Lessons Learned53:35 The Role of Capital in Ambition and Creativity54:19 Integration Process Post-Acquisition58:00 Reflections on Selling the Company01:01:16 Angel Investing Approach01:03:31 Building in Public: Strategy and Benefits01:08:28 Challenges of Being an Expat Founder01:11:42 Advice on Co-Founding Relationships01:18:00 Managing Investor Relationships01:27:03 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

1 hr 15 min

Khaled Talhouni, Spotting and Supporting Great Founders and the Macro Trends Creating a Regional Golden Age – Ep.4, Season 3

Khaled Talhouni is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Nuwa Capital, a VC firm investing in early-stage startups across the MENAPT region, based in Dubai and Riyadh. He has managed over 150 early-stage deals with a total AUM exceeding $300M and has successfully exited 15+. With deep expertise in venture investing and portfolio management, he plays a key role in shaping the region’s startup ecosystem.—-----------------------------------------------------------The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:LinkedIn: Startups Arabia PodcastTwitter: @ArabiaStartupsFacebook: @startupsarabiaYoutube: Startups Arabia Podcast—--- Resources—--------:Khaled’s LinkedIn account: @Khaled TalhouniNuwa Capital’s Website: https://www.nuwacapital.io/—-----------------------------------------------------------SHOW NOTES:00:00 Introduction to Khaled Talhouni and the Podcast01:50 Early Career and Entry into VC08:05 Wamda Capital and Its Impact11:49 Founding of Nuwa Capital13:44 Investment Thesis and Founder Profiles22:57 AI's Impact on SaaS and Future Trends37:14 Regional Startups Going Global42:33 The Golden Age for the Region44:50 Technological Transformation in the GCC45:32 The Impact of Youth and Demographics47:18 Geopolitical Neutrality and Economic Reforms48:40 Case Study: A Successful Acquisition52:21 The Importance of Founder-Investor Relationships54:34 Reflecting on Missed Opportunities57:49 Challenges in the Venture Capital Landscape01:00:47 Spotting and Supporting Great Founders01:03:23 Quick Investment Decisions01:07:22 The Future of the Regional Ecosystem01:12:42 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

1 hr 17 min

Michael Lints, Investing in Defensible Tech and Building Strong Founder Relationships – Ep.3, Season 3

Michael Lints has over 20 years of experience helping innovative businesses obtain the resources, insights, and expertise they need in order to be successful. Michael has been a startup operator, investor, and mentor, and is currently a Partner at the Singapore-based venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures. He joined the firm in 2013 and is currently leading growth venture efforts, which include LP fundraising and portfolio management for Golden Gate Ventures investments at Series B and beyond.Michael’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2000 when he co-founded an IT managed services startup in Europe that was acquired by a large data and telecom company six years later. In 2007, Michael founded a venture fund focused on Dutch small- and medium-sized enterprises to help them with capital financing, business development, and strategy. During the same period, he was invited to join the Economic Development Board Rotterdam as Vice Chairman. In that role, he launched the Young Economic Development Board where he brought together a highly influential Dutch network to develop a sustainable framework for public-private relationships that increased local business investment while leveraging the public infrastructure.Michael has helped support firm and portfolio-level priorities that have spanned fundraising, capital allocation, and corporate development. He has helped to raise over USD $60M for Golden Gate Ventures and its portfolio companies, including helping to raise later stage rounds from external investors as well as leading two early strategic acquisitions.Outside of work, sport is an essential part of Michael’s life. He is a former member of the Dutch karate team and the former ambassador for Treknology (Trek bikes distributor in Singapore). Michael actively participates in Ironman 70.3 races and marathons. He is also passionate about social justice and uses sport as a vehicle to raise awareness for important issues such as civil rights, economic opportunity, and education. —-----------------------------------------------------------The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:LinkedIn: Startups Arabia PodcastTwitter: @ArabiaStartupsFacebook: @startupsarabiaYoutube: Startups Arabia Podcast—--- Resources—--------:Michael’s LinkedIn account: @Michael LintsMichael’s Website: michaellints.comGolden Gate Ventures' Website: https://www.goldengate.vc/—-----------------------------------------------------------SHOW NOTES:00:00 Introduction to Michael Lints and the Podcast02:44 Who is Michael Lints?06:16 Golden Gate Ventures: Mission and Early Days09:39 Expanding to the MENA Region12:55 Investment Strategies and Portfolio Insights33:26 AI's Impact on Venture Capital and Industry41:08 Michael Lints' Documentary: Broken Chains42:56 Challenges Faced by Minority Founders46:44 Personal Reflections on Career and Opportunity48:38 From Martial Arts to Ironman54:28 Investment Decisions and Regrets57:02 The Impact of Market Trends on Fundraising59:53 Key Questions for Founders01:01:18 Characteristics of a Great Investor01:03:12 The Importance of Founders in Early-Stage Investments01:05:31 Navigating Exit Options in the Region01:09:36 Wishes for the Regional Ecosystem01:10:40 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

1 hr 13 min

Julien Plouzeau, From Banking to VC, Multistage Investment Strategy, and a Deep Dive into the UAE Ecosystem – Ep.2, Season 3

Julien is the Senior Partner at Oraseya Capital, where he leads the firm’s investment strategy, oversees deal sourcing and execution, and actively manages a diverse portfolio of early-stage startups. Oraseya Capital invests from pre-Seed to Series B stages, fostering innovation and scaling transformative businesses across key sectors. Julien is also a member of the investment committee.In 2021, Julien launched SANDBOX, Oraseya’s program for investing in and mentoring pre-Seed/Seed stage startups. The program has supported hundreds of founders, with 16 investments made in 2024 alone.Julien plays a pivotal role in mentoring founders, building long-term partnerships, and guiding portfolio companies toward sustainable growth and success.With a presence in the UAE’s startup ecosystem since 2012, Julien brings extensive experience as both a founder and investor. Prior to joining Oraseya Capital, he was Principal and Portfolio Manager at Dtec Ventures, where he led investments across various industries and helped drive the growth of the regional entrepreneurial landscape.He began his career as an Investment Banker with Société Générale CIB in Italy, working on multi-billion-dollar corporate finance transactions. After moving to Dubai, he launched his first startup—an online artist agency representing over 1,000 talents across the region—which he successfully exited. He subsequently contributed to several ventures as a co-founder, advisor, and product director.—-----------------------------------------------------------The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:LinkedIn: Startups Arabia PodcastTwitter: @ArabiaStartupsFacebook: @startupsarabiaYoutube: Startups Arabia Podcast—--- Resources—--------:Julien’s LinkedIn account: @Julien PlouzeauOraseya Capital’s Website: https://oraseyacapital.com/—-----------------------------------------------------------SHOW NOTES:00:00 Introduction to Julien Plouzeau and the Podcast02:34 Julien's Move to Dubai and Early Ventures04:50 The Challenges and Rewards of Building Startups08:26 Investment Banking vs. Venture Capital12:17 The Role and Mission of Oraseya Capital17:16 Oraseya Capital's Investment Strategy and Achievements22:15 Multi-Stage Investing: Strategies and Approaches37:28 Path to Profitability and Scaling38:37 Lessons from Regional Trailblazers43:16 Success Strategies for Startups48:26 Investment Stories: Podeo and Ogram54:50 Navigating the Investment Landscape01:06:58 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

1 hr 46 min

Waleed Alballaa, Unveiling the Global Potential and Deep Tech Innovations Emerging from the MENA Region – Ep.1, Season 3

Waleed A. Alballaa is a technologist-turned-investor with a proven track record across global and MENA markets, spanning semiconductors, wireless, mobility, and eGovernment. As a Founding General Partner at Sukna Ventures, he backs early-stage, tech-driven startups across the region. Prior to Sukna, Waleed co-founded STV, one of the MENA region’s largest VC funds, and led pivotal initiatives at Elm—including launching the firm’s first business sector and founding its corporate venture arm.Waleed’s earlier career includes high-tech development roles at Cadence Design, Conexant, Skyworks Solutions, and Microsoft in the U.S. He holds a Master’s in Computer Science from Oregon Health & Science University and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from King Saud University.Beyond investing, Waleed serves on multiple boards and actively mentors founders. He also co-founded the Saudi Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and the Business Analysis Association Group, where he currently serves as Vice Chairman. A committed technology optimist, Waleed is passionate about fueling innovation and strengthening the startup ecosystem across the MENA region.—-----------------------------------------------------------The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:LinkedIn: Startups Arabia PodcastTwitter: @ArabiaStartupsFacebook: @startupsarabiaYoutube: Startups Arabia Podcast—--- Resources—--------:Waleed’s LinkedIn account: @Waleed AlballaaSukna Ventures’ Website: https://suknaventures.com/—-----------------------------------------------------------SHOW NOTES:00:00 Introduction to Waleed Alballaa and the Podcast02:50 Waleed's Journey: From the US to Saudi Arabia08:16 Founding STV and the Corporate VC Experience14:10 The Birth of Sukna Ventures20:03 Focus on Early-Stage Tech and Disruptive Technologies20:35 Exploring Space Tech and AI Innovations29:25 The Future of the Saudi Startup Ecosystem34:56 Global Ambitions and Product Development37:29 The Evolving Software Market and VC Landscape41:15 Exploring Future Computing Technologies41:37 The Role of Venture Capital in Emerging Tech42:26 Challenges in Predicting the Future of Tech43:17 The Importance of Understanding the Present Market44:06 Finding Early Seeds of Innovation46:19 Global Investment Strategies48:43 A Contrarian Bet on Hardware51:51 The Evolution of LPs in Venture Capital54:50 The Role of Endowments and Foundations01:00:46 Effective Board Governance01:07:06 Lessons from Missed Investment Opportunities01:15:12 The Impact of Market Externalities on Startups01:16:11 The Importance of Early Relationships with Founders01:16:53 Challenges in Market Sizing and Portfolio Strategy01:20:04 Current Trends in Saudi's Investment Landscape01:22:23 The Role of Mergers and Acquisitions in Growth01:26:37 Emerging Vertical Trends in the Region01:30:17 The Semiconductor Industry's Potential in Saudi01:34:43 Investment Decision-Making and Ecosystem Improvements01:39:41 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

1 hr 51 min

Saoud Khalifah, Building with Obsession, Challenging Comfort Zones and Needed Cultural Shifts in the Arab World – Ep.13, Season 2

Saoud was born in Kuwait during the Gulf War and left to the US at the age of 18. Saoud launched Fakespot.com in 2016, a platform that detects fake reviews using AI, after being scammed by a supplement with fake ratings. Since then, Fakespot is now used by millions of shoppers worldwide when browsing popular eCommerce websites. Fakespot was acquired by Mozilla in 2023 and is now integrated into Mozilla Firefox, one of the world's most utilized browsers. Prior to working at Fakespot, Saoud was a software engineer at Goldman Sachs and graduated from Monmouth University with his Bachelors and Masters in Software Engineering.—-----------------------------------------------------------The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:LinkedIn: Startups Arabia PodcastTwitter: @ArabiaStartupsFacebook: @startupsarabiaYoutube: Startups Arabia Podcast—--- Resources—--------:Saoud’s LinkedIn account: @Saoud KhalifahFakespot’s Website: https://www.fakespot.com/Mozilla’s Website: https://www.mozilla.org/—-----------------------------------------------------------SHOW NOTES:00:00 Introduction to Saoud Khalifah and the Podcast01:50 Saoud's Early Life and Career Beginnings13:12 The Birth of Fakespot21:23 Challenges and Growth of Fakespot38:42 The Spontaneous Start and Early Challenges39:18 The Struggle of Fundraising41:56 The Road to the First Investment47:24 Pivoting During the Pandemic49:06 The Browser Extension Boom49:55 The Battle with a Trillion-Dollar Company59:54 The Mozilla Acquisition01:09:41 The Rise of Specialists in a Generalist World01:13:48 The Intersection of Music and Programming01:17:16 The Role of Music in Enhancing Cognitive Skills01:19:03 The Future of Machine-Generated Content01:20:03 Challenges and Opportunities in Generative AI01:20:39 The Importance of Security in AI Development01:24:05 The Need for New AI Infrastructure01:28:34 Cultural Shifts and Technological Ambitions in the Middle East01:29:07 The Role of Competition and Innovation in the Middle East01:35:20 The Future of Coding and Best Practices01:39:22 Investing in Startups: What to Look For01:46:28 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

1 hr 15 min

Leena Khalil, Building a Community-Centric Platform, Managing Complex Supply Chains, and Navigating Exit Opportunities – Ep.12, Season 2

Leena Khalil is currently a Partner at Key Capital and was the co-founder of Mumzworld. In 2011, she co-founded Mumzworld.com, a leading platform dedicated to making parenting easier across the region. Following its strong growth, Mumzworld.com was fully acquired by the Saudi healthcare giant Tamer Group. Leena stepped down as CEO in 2024.Before her role at Mumzworld, Leena worked in investment banking in London, where she successfully launched equity transactions for TMT clients across multiple geographies. She later transitioned to business process outsourcing, focusing on optimizing local government processes and customer service through the integration of technology into daily life.Leena has been named one of the top female entrepreneurs by Forbes Middle East for four consecutive years, including the most recent Forbes 2023 list. Additionally, she was recognized as one of the most powerful retail leaders by Retail ME in 2023.She serves on the board of APIC, a publicly listed company focused on driving investments to Palestine. Leena is also a member of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) Board of Advisors, a mentor at the Win Fellowship, and a judge supporting Eureka!, the Gulf region edition of Asia's Largest Business Model Competition.—-----------------------------------------------------------The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:LinkedIn: Startups Arabia PodcastTwitter: @ArabiaStartupsFacebook: @startupsarabiaYoutube: Startups Arabia Podcast—--- Resources—--------:Leena’s LinkedIn account: @Leena KhalilKey Capital’s Website: https://www.key.capital/—-----------------------------------------------------------SHOW NOTES:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest02:57 The Birth of Mumzworld06:24 Challenges and Strategies in E-Commerce11:33 Fundraising and Investment Insights24:13 Acquisition by Tamer Group32:16 Transition to Key Capital39:45 Market Making Strategies39:58 Challenges and Benefits of Secondaries Market41:36 APIC: Arab Palestinian Investment Company45:29 Benefitting Society through Business47:27 Balancing Motherhood and Professional Life50:24 E-commerce Trends and Investor Insights53:55 The Importance of Co-founder Relationships59:06 Mental Health in the Startup World01:04:52 Reflections on Regional Ecosystem and Education01:09:32 Quick Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts