Solving the Gulf’s startup exit problem

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This episode is the fourth in a five-part series filmed on the ground in Saudi Arabia in partnership with COLABS, exploring the founders, operators and ideas shaping the Kingdom’s startup ecosystem.

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We just published my conversation with Shane Shin, founding partner of Shorooq, on the FWDstart Podcast. You can watch it on YouTube, or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Shane thinks the Gulf’s venture market has come a long way, but is still moving too slowly, particularly when it comes to turning funding rounds and rising valuations into actual returns for founders and investors.

We got into what needs to change, from getting corporates more involved as customers and acquirers to bringing family offices further into the ecosystem, alongside the ambition behind Shorooq’s expansion across stages and asset classes.

Shane also explains why he asks whether he’d work for a founder before investing, why the follow-on cheque can matter more than the first, and how he weighs selling a successful investment against holding on for more upside.

Give it a listen.

The FWDstart Podcast

We’ve had some great conversations recently, including Talal Bayaa on raising $55 million, bringing Bayzat back from zero runway and the pressure to deliver an exit; Jawad Shreim and Nauman Ali on raising a seed round in MENA, navigating term sheets and choosing the right VCs; and Mohammad Al-Khalili on building ClearGrid and putting AI to work.

If you’re interested in coming on the FWDstart podcast, reach out to [email protected] If you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, email me at [email protected].