Whether you’re a startup founder, an entrepreneur, or simply someone curious about the future of sustainable business, this episode will give you insights you can apply on your own journey.
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Can venture capital fuel impact beyond profit?In this episode of Impact Talk, Nadine Zidani sits down with Nader AlBastaki — Managing Director of Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) — to explore how a government-backed VC is reshaping the region’s innovation ecosystem.From startup founder to corporate banker to public sector strategist, Nader’s journey is anything but linear. Today, he leads DFDF, a unique evergreen fund that blends public and private capital to power high-growth ventures aligned with Dubai’s long-term economic, technological, and social agenda.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn About:
About Our Guest:
Nader AlBastaki is the Managing Director of Dubai Future District Fund. With a career spanning entrepreneurship, corporate finance, and government strategy, he brings a rare blend of experience to the venture capital world. At DFDF, Nader champions an ecosystem approach to investing — where economic returns, social outcomes, and policy alignment go hand-in-hand to build a resilient and thriving innovation landscape in the UAE and beyond.
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What if farming could heal the planet — and ourselves? In this episode of Impact Talk, Nadine Zidani sits down with Mohammed Aissaoui, founder of My Farm Dubai, to explore how one small farm in the desert is transforming the future of food, sustainability, and community. From regenerative agriculture and zero-waste farming to teaching school children and empowering urban growers, Mohammed shares the inspiring story behind building My Farm Dubai — an ecosystem rooted in circularity, education, and deep respect for nature.
What started as a personal passion has grown into a movement, showing that sustainable farming in the desert isn’t just possible — it’s necessary.
This episode is a must-watch for anyone passionate about climate resilience, food security, and reconnecting with nature in the modern world.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn About:
Mohamed Aissaoui is the Founder and CEO of My Farm Dubai, and a fifth-generation farmer with a background in engineering. He blends low-tech and new-tech approaches to optimize organic food production while preserving the ecosystem. At My Farm, Mohamed champions circular farming systems as a pathway to food security in the UAE. His farm prioritizes quality, giving time for plants, fruits, and vegetables to grow naturally in forest soil—without disturbing the environment.
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In this powerful conversation, Nadine Zidani sits down with Ragy Ramadan, founder of NoorNation — a bold clean energy startup from Egypt on a mission to bring solar power and safe water to underserved communities across Africa. From quitting his full-time job to facing project cancellation just 45 days later, Ragy opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of building a climate tech startup.
He shares how resilience became a core value at NoorNation, and why real impact requires more than passion — it demands persistence, sacrifice, and truth. We dive into the challenges of being a founder, the pressure of delivering payrolls, and the illusion of fast success in the world of social entrepreneurship. This episode is a raw, honest look at what it takes to bounce back — and keep going.
In This Episode, You’ll Gain Insights On:
About Our Guest:
Ragy Ramadan is the founder of NoorNation, a clean energy venture aiming to empower 1 million people by 2028 through sustainable power and water solutions. With over 12 years of experience, he has trained 600+ professionals across the MENA region and is committed to impact-driven innovation.
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Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk!In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jalil Allabadi, Co-Founder and CEO of Altibbi, the largest digital health platform in the MENA region. What began as a humble Arabic medical dictionary created by his father, has now grown into a revolutionary telehealth company delivering 24/7 doctor access, AI-powered health tools, and vital content to millions.
Jalil shares his journey of building Altibbi to bridge healthcare access gaps in the Arab world, from empowering patients with knowledge to innovating real-time doctor consultations via mobile—without even needing internet access.
We also unpack how AI is transforming the way medical information is accessed, the powerful stories of impact from underserved communities, and how Altibbi balances profit and purpose in a region where social entrepreneurship is still evolving.
In This Episode, You’ll Gain Insights On:
About Our Guest:
Jalil Allabadi is the co-founder and CEO of Altibbi, the largest digital health platform in the Arab world, providing 24/7 telemedicine, AI-powered health content, and access to certified doctors. A Schwab Foundation fellow and board member of multiple organizations, Jalil is dedicated to democratizing healthcare across the MENA region.
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Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this inspiring episode, we sat down with Nivine Hachem, Co-Founder and CEO of Paltic, a Lebanon-based pioneering social enterprise tackling plastic waste in the MENA region through sustainable innovation. By transforming discarded plastics into eco-friendly panels, Paltic is reshaping the way we think about waste, design, and circular economies.
Nivine shares her journey from corporate finance to social entrepreneurship, highlighting the pivotal moments that led her to take the leap. From the challenges of having a sustainability-focused business in Lebanon to Paltic’s expansion to the UAE, she offers deep insights into resilience, impact investing, and the role of aesthetics in sustainable products.
In this episode, you’ll gain insights on:
Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.
About Our Guest:
Nivine Hachem, Co-Founder and CEO of Paltic, a Lebanon-based social enterprise tackling plastic waste in the MENA region through sustainable innovation. Nivine began her professional journey in auditing and financial planning at global firms before her transition into social entrepreneurship, where she now drives environmental impact through innovative solutions.Recently recognized as the Most Innovative Climate Tech CEO of 2024, Nivine is a true advocate for sustainability. Through education, advocacy, and impactful business solutions, she’s inspiring a shift towards a more sustainable future.
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Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this thought-provoking episode we sat down with Rana Hajirasouli, Founder CEO of The Surpluss, a UAE-based Certified B Corp transforming underutilized resources into revenue through its patented climate-tech solutions, Rana challenges traditional sustainability narratives, pushing for cross-industry collaboration and resources efficiency.
From carbon tunnel vision to industrial symbiosis, Rana shares why businesses must move beyond carbon metrics and rethink how waste, energy, and materials are managed. This conversation unpacks the importance of interdisciplinary partnerships, and the surging B Corp movement in the MENA region.
In this episode, you’ll gain insights on:
Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.
About Our Guest:
Rana Hajirasouli, the Founder and CEO of The Surpluss, a UAE-based Certified B Corp company. The Surpluss is the world’s first B2B platform that transforms underutilized resources into revenue through its patented technology.Rana is a climate-tech innovator, systems thinker, and passionate advocate for climate-positive action. With over 13 years of experience, she is a recognized expert in sustainability, climate change, and the circular economy, empowering businesses to achieve resource efficiency through effective and profitable cross-industry collaboration.
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Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this captivating episode, we sat down with Rana Askoul, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Khateera | خطيرة, an Arab women-centric creative house and digital media platform on a mission to mainstream and shape a progressive narrative for Arab women rooted in their culture and heritage.
Rana shares the vision and the inspiration behind Khateera, how it celebrates the intelligence and heritage of Arab women, the use of humor and satire in addressing social issues in the MENA region, and how the platform is driving social and behavioral change through deep, authentic Arabic content for the Arab women, with many inspiring stories and examples from the Arab world.
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.
About Our Guest:
Rana Askoul is Co-founder and Co-CEO of Khateera |خطيرة , She is also the Founder of Nara, a Dubai based healing space dedicated to indigenous healing and conscious living practices. Rana has over 20 years of experience within the public, private and non-government sectors. She held various leadership roles with Dubai Government, McKinsey Co. and GeneralElectric. In 2012, she quit a stellar corporate career to start her own consultancy fulfilling one of her heart's callings: working on equal rights and opportunities for women in the MENA region. She was the CEO of The Womanity Foundation driving the foundation's portfolio of USD 15 million in social investments supporting equal rights and opportunities for women in the Global South.
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Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this thought-provoking conversation, we sat down with Saad AlRubaian ,a PR expert, social entrepreneur ,and Managing Partner of CYLKA to talk about his journey in the CSR space and the evolution of corporate social responsibility in the region.
Saad shares insights on the importance of authentic communication, the impact of collaborative efforts in sustainability and CSR initiatives , and the cultural perspectives that shape it in the UAE and the MENA region. He also discusses the significance of recognitions like B Corp certification, and his perspective in the PR and communication industry in promoting sustainability in the MENA region.
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.
About Our Guest:
Saad AlRubaian a chartered PR practitioner, advisor, and social entrepreneur with 17 years of experience across Kuwait, the UAE, and the UK. Since 2013, Saad has been leading CYLKA, a boutique CSR agency that has earned numerous industry recognitions, including becoming a certified B Corp and receiving the UAE Gold Impact Seal. Saad also serves on multiple advisory and executive boards, including the UNDP Climate Communications Task Force, and Young Arab Leaders (YAL).
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Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this special conversation, we sat down with Najla Abdellatif, a Swedish-Palestinian environmental advocate and founder of Zero Waste Palestine. Najla shares her journey of cultural influences, the motivation behind her initiative, and the challenges she faces in promoting sustainability in Palestine.
Discover how Zero Waste Palestine has evolved from a blog to a thriving community-driven platform in MENA, and learn practical strategies for adopting an eco-conscious lifestyle. Explore the cultural influences and challenges Najla faced as she built her initiative, and gained valuable insights into how environmental issues intersect with social and political contexts in the MENA region, especially in Palestine.
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
About our Guest:
Najla Abdellatif Vallander, is a Swedish-Palestinian environmental advocate dedicated to equipping others with the knowledge and drive to live consciously and sustainably. Through her initiative, Zero Waste Palestine, Najla raises awareness of environmental topics and inspires households to adopt waste-free and sustainable practices in the MENA region.
Najla has been featured in Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30, the 2024 edition, and received the prestigious Forbes Award for her incredible work in social impact.
Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.
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Welcome to another episode of Impact Talk! In this special conversation, we sat down with Mustafa Bosca, Co-founder and Chief Decarbonization Officer of CarbonSifr, a pioneering climate-tech startup based in the UAE.
CarbonSifr, founded in 2022, is on a bold mission to simplify climate action through cutting-edge solutions, including their innovative multi-agent AI platform.
Mustafa shares his inspiring journey of him and his two Co-founders leaving their successful careers to co-found a startup addressing the pressing need for carbon accounting and decarbonization in the region. He also discusses the importance of building strong partnerships with banks, FinTech companies, and corporations to integrate climate action into supply chains and portfolios.
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
About our Guest:
Mustafa Bosca, is the Co-founder and Chief Decarbonization Officer of CarbonSifr, a pioneering climate-tech startup based in the UAE.At CarbonSifr, Mustafa leads developing carbon accounting solutions, building partnerships with large corporates, banks and FinTech to embed climate action into the broader supply chain and portfolios. Prior to CarbonSifr, Mustafa led social impact and banking practice areas in the region as Managing Director and Partner of Boston Consulting Group, and he also worked at the Islamic Development Bank in Saudi Arabia.
Want to see the faces behind the voices? You can watch this episode on YouTube.
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Welcome to a special episode of Impact Talk with Nadine Zidani! We finally convinced Nadine herself to share her remarkable story on this very platform, where changemakers across MENA inspire us with their commitment to social and environmental change.
This episode offers a wealth of inspiration for anyone passionate about creating positive change in MENA.
In this episode, hosted by Parnian Farnam, Nadine shares:
About our Guest:
Nadine Zidani is a French-Moroccan sustainability and climate expert, impact entrepreneur, certified coach and public speaker. She is the founder of MENA Impact, a UAE-based company that serves as a one-stop shop for sustainability programs, courses, and content tailored to the MENA region. MENA Impact is a certified B Corp, meeting high standards of environmental and social impact, and is committed to using business as a force for good.
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Did you know nearly 9% of global CO₂ emissions come from food waste? Join us in this impactful episode of Impact Talk, where we delve into the Middle East sustainability scene and the fight against food waste.
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
About our Guest:
Hachem Mahfoud, GTM Lead of Replate for the MENA Region, shares his inspiring journey from architecture to championing a purpose-driven entrepreneurship in sustainable food systems. Discover how Replate is turning surplus food into opportunities for social change, promoting a more sustainable, profit-with-purpose future in MENA.
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Climate change affects all industries, including the creative space, which not only needs to decarbonize its operations but also holds a responsibility in the stories it tells—the power it entails in the fight against climate change. Gunjan Nanda and Ninoksha D’souza, two inspiring climate activists, addressed this crucial topic at COP28 within the Culture and Entertainment Pavilion.
In this episode, you will learn about:
Gunjan Nanda:
Gunjan is the Co-founder of Dubai Climate Collective, a Community Facilitator, and a key member of the Founding Convening Team for Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA). Aligned with the UNFCCC and the Paris Climate Agreement, Gunjans responsibilities include global inclusion efforts, crafting a decarbonization roadmap for the entertainment sector, and catalyzing climate action through art and narrative power. As the Co-founder and Director of the Entertainment + Culture Foundation, Gunjan recently organized the foundations inaugural E+C pavilion at COP28 in Dubai.
Ninoksha D’souza:
Ninoksha is a dedicated climate activist and sustainability strategist with over a decade of experience at the intersection of sustainability communications and the creative industry. As the Operations Coordinator at the Entertainment and Culture Pavilion during COP28, she plays a crucial role in connecting the creative sector with global climate goals. Ninokshas expertise includes upskilling the advertising industry in climate communications, leading sustainable campaigns for various agencies, and fostering responsible advertising frameworks as a strategy director.
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In this episode, we delve into the world of social impact business in the MENA region. You’ll hear the inspiring story of Christian Vezjak and his mission to empower Palestinian youth through the Talent Acceleration Platform (TAP). Get ready to explore how TAP is making a difference in bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, especially amidst the challenging circumstances in Palestine
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
About our Guest:
Christian Vezjak is a Bolivian-born purpose-driven entrepreneur and advocate for women’s empowerment. As the co-founder of the Talent Acceleration Platform (TAP), Christian partners with Jafar Shunnar to drive impactful change. Christian is the first Bolivian INSEAD MBA graduate, dedicated to revolutionizing the tech landscape. His platform champions the career acceleration of Middle Eastern and Palestinian women and youth in the remote work sphere.
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A special podcast series, “Stories of UAE’s Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs,” in collaboration with Advanced Media Trading.
Join us as we talk with Sahar Karoubi, the founder of Bambuyu, an impact-driven tissue company tackling the urgent issue of deforestation. Sahar’s journey is fueled by her commitment to sustainability and a desire to create a healthier world for future generations. Her tree-free tissue brand is revolutionizing the tissue industry by offering eco-friendly alternatives made from renewable bamboo, setting a new standard for green businesses in MENA.
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
About our Guest:
Sahar Karoubi is the founder of Bambuyu, a UAE-based company offering eco-friendly tissue products. Driven by a desire to create a better future for her children and the planet, Sahar left her digital marketing career to pursue her passion for sustainability. Bambuyu’s mission is to provide consumers with high-quality, plastic-free tissue alternatives made from renewable bamboo.
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We are introducing our special podcast series “Stories of UAEs Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs” in collaboration with Advanced Media Trading.
In this special episode of Impact Talk, we explore the journeys of inspiring and purpose-driven UAE entrepreneurs who are making a difference. In this episode, we welcome Ranjitha Raghavan, the founder of Back To Nature, a UAE-based company on a mission to revolutionize food service packaging with sustainable solutions.
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
About our Guest:
Ranjitha Raghavan is the founder of Back To Nature, a UAE-based company specializing in sustainable solutions for the food service industry. With a background in electronics engineering, Ranjitha transitioned to entrepreneurship driven by her passion for sustainability. Her mission is to empower businesses to embrace eco-friendly practices and reduce their environmental footprint. Ranjitha’s dedication to creating a positive environmental impact has led to the expansion of Back To Nature’s reach across the UAE and beyond
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We are introducing our special podcast series “Stories of UAEs Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs” in collaboration with Advanced Media Trading.
In this special episode of Impact Talk, we’re joined by Namrata Budhraja, co-founder of Shift Eco, a comprehensive platform for eco-friendly products dedicated to building a community of conscious consumers.
Shift Eco empowers individuals to make sustainable choices, educates them on environmental responsibility, and guides businesses towards adopting green business practices.
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
About our Guest:
Namrata Budhraja is the co-founder of Shift Eco, a pioneering platform for eco-friendly products in the UAE. Together with her sister-in-law and co-founder, Sukriti, Namrata embarked on a mission to educate consumers and organizations about sustainable living and provide accessible alternatives to conventional products. Through Shift Eco, Namrata aims to inspire positive change and promote a conscious community dedicated to environmental stewardship in MENA.
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We are introducing our special podcast series “Stories of UAEs Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs” in collaboration with Advanced Media Trading.
We feature Ruby, the co-founder of The Botanist, a UAE-based company offering toxin-free, plant-based, and refillable home care products. Ruby’s journey began with a desire to create a safe cleaning environment for her children and quickly blossomed into a thriving purpose-driven business.
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
About our Guest:
Ruby is the co-founder of The Botanist, a pioneering brand offering toxin-free, plant-based home care products. With a background in nutrition and a keen eye for eco-innovation, Ruby embarked on a mission to create safe, sustainable alternatives to chemical-laden cleaning products. Through her dedication to transparency and commitment to environmental stewardship, Ruby is inspiring change one household at a time.
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We are introducing our special podcast series “Stories of UAEs Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurs” in collaboration with Advanced Media Trading.
In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Lara Hussein and Ceylan Uren, the co-founders of Waste Lab, a pioneering composting initiative focused on sustainability and food waste management in the UAE.
In this episode, you will gain insights on:
About our Guests:
Lara Hussein and Ceylan Uren are passionate advocates for environmental sustainability and the co-founders of Waste Lab. With backgrounds in architecture and communications, they have joined forces to create innovative solutions for food waste management and soil regeneration, helping reshape the UAE’s environmental landscape and fostering eco-friendly practices in the MENA region.
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