I’m baffled by the amount of startups in the Middle East that ask for 1m dollars with a valuation of 10m dollars! How is it possible that everyone (yes I’m exaggerating to make a point) regardless of sector, market, potential or margin all need the same amount? I mean I get it – when there … Continue reading The Conveyor Belt Paradox
Passion, Pitching and a Proposal
I cry every day. That’s of course not really true but the statement encapsulates a truth. It’s more like I’m a little scared every day. Scared that I’m not doing enough, scared that I’m over doing it, or not doing it in the right way, scared that I’m not relevant or interesting, or that I … Continue reading Passion, Pitching and a Proposal
A strong allure of Aubergine
The magic of Beirut is palpable… contagious passion for life, work and play, the strong allure of aubergine, sparkling eyes and hairy chests. What’s not to love? In the tech startup scene this is truer than ever and it was a treat to start planning the grand finale of the YMEstartup road show. Seems I … Continue reading A strong allure of Aubergine
Breath, count to 10 and let’s take small steps in the right direction
To mentally marinate is to allow your brain to laterally mix thoughts, facts and impressions and find new ideas from the patterns. I spent the weekend in Istanbul with the aim to hang out with friends and indulge in aubergine. But I found myself inspired and compelled by conversations to think about our role in … Continue reading Breath, count to 10 and let’s take small steps in the right direction
Seeing the pyramids is like meeting Santa
In the absence of a crystal ball, I prefer to engage with the positive narrative Seeing the pyramids is like meeting Santa Claus... Something magical I’ve lived with all my life but never known if they existed… It was the best Saturday in awhile – spent by the Nile with Wael Fakharany, planning how we … Continue reading Seeing the pyramids is like meeting Santa
There is Hope for the Future but the Road is Bumpy
My days are filled with innovation, geeks, hope for the future and of course some tears of fear&frustration. The museum of Islamic art in Doha was therefor a humbling break… or that’s what I saw at first. With a just a little imagination you can teleport yourself back in time and it’s the same innovation, … Continue reading There is Hope for the Future but the Road is Bumpy
Saluting the Crazy and Naïve
Stockholm is freezing right now… but the startup scene is HOT. Last week I was back at Tyler’s #SthlmTech Meetup to meet and great with the geeky, hipster, #worlddomination ecosystem. Always a treat. I’m keeping an eye on Watty, Detectify and uber cool PaceMaker…. Save our environment, protect yourself against hackers and finding your Beat all … Continue reading Saluting the Crazy and Naïve
I met Q
I met Q. James Bond’s trusted gadget, tech and innovation guru Q? No the Qatari Rock Star Super Star Cowboy entrepreneur Mr Q – Khalifa al Haroon. It’s a great play on words as Khalifa really is pushing the boundaries of innovation with his businesses and maybe more importantly by being a real champion of … Continue reading I met Q
Thinking about thinking
Many of my conversations somehow touch upon the topic of RISK… Starting a business is super scary – I’m the first to admit it – and you probably need to be both crazy and naïve. The challenge in a maturing startup ecosystem is for investors and entrepreneurs to learn how to handle and not necessarily … Continue reading Thinking about thinking
My hero is Captain Jack Sparrow
“I want both”
