What’s Next brings together the voices shaping tomorrow—thinkers, builders, and leaders from across the globe. From Lagos to Lisbon, Bangalore to Berlin, São Paulo to San Francisco, we explore the ideas that will shape how we live, work, govern, and grow.
Each episode offers one clear insight you can explain at dinner and defend in the boardroom. Global perspectives. Fresh thinking. Better decisions.
What’s Next. Voices shaping tomorrow.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What’s Next brings together the voices shaping tomorrow—thinkers, builders, and leaders from across the globe. From Lagos to Lisbon, Bangalore to Berlin, São Paulo to San Francisco, we explore the ideas that will shape how we live, work, govern, and grow.
Each episode offers one clear insight you can explain at dinner and defend in the boardroom. Global perspectives. Fresh thinking. Better decisions.
What’s Next. Voices shaping tomorrow.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Think the future of innovation lives in Silicon Valley? It might just be shifting to the Middle East.
In this episode, Noor Sweid—a trailblazing venture capitalist and founder—takes us deep inside the MENA region’s explosive startup scene. From Dubai to Riyadh to Cairo, Noor explains how entrepreneurs are building billion-dollar companies in industries with no legacy players and no rigid rules.
Whether you're a founder, investor, or just curious about where the world is heading next—this episode will change how you think about opportunity.
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:42 What Drives Noor Sweid
01:31 Why She Wrote a Coming of Age Book
02:40 Lessons from 35 Founders Across the Region
05:55 Misunderstanding of MENA Innovation Potential
07:340 Comparing Saudi, Egypt, and UAE Markets
09:30 Why MENA Is Attractive to Builders
10:10 Sectors Where MENA Can Leapfrog
12:46 The Role of Governments and Sovereign Wealth
13:45 What Needs to Happen in the Next 5 Years
15:18 Advice for New Founders in MENA
16:04 How to Succeed in the MENA Region
17:49 Business Culture in MENA
18:34 How MENA Founders Differ from Others
19:52 Women in Tech in the MENA region
20:59 Shark Tank vs. VC Investing
22:22 Reinventing Your Career with Purpose
27:17 What Makes Noor Optimistic About the Future
Connect with Philip Meissner
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmeissner
Connect with Noor Sweid
https://www.linkedin.com/in/noor-sweid-4b5233/
Check out Noor's book: https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/1917523432/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=1JXTXD7FAAXV3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TeWHU7yYlUJoMdd0grqgyLnRDuvEcbM9i7gNNpXjvC4.SNFHnyEjSWob9LCQgNBpKkzPInVE9E20Z5U7Rpq0CCs&dib_tag=se&keywords=noor+sweid&qid=1747124998&sprefix=noor+sweid%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-1
#MENAInnovation #NoorSweid #StartupsInMENA #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #UAEStartups #TechInMENA #FoundersMindset #GlobalTalent #BusinessInDubai #FutureOfTech #InnovationLeadership #WomenInVC #StartupEcosystem #BuildInMENA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.