Ep 217 Silicon Valley and The Middle East with Fouad Alnazawi and Stephanie Richards

Guests: Fouad Alnazawi and Stephanie Richards

Topic: Exploring the unique challenges and opportunities for startups in Silicon Valley and Saudi Arabia, and how collaboration between these two regions can drive innovation and growth.

Intro:

· Briefly introduce the hosts and the episode’s topic.

· Highlight the expertise of the guests, Fouad Alnazawi and Stephanie Richards, in the startup ecosystems of Saudi Arabia and Silicon Valley respectively.

Career Journeys and Regional Insights:

· Invite Fouad and Stephanie to share their career paths and experiences in the startup scene.

· Discuss the distinct strengths and challenges faced by startups in Saudi Arabia compared to Silicon Valley.

Venture Capital Landscape and Investment Strategies :

· Compare the availability of venture capital and investment opportunities in both regions.

· Explore the differences in investment styles and priorities between Silicon Valley and Saudi Arabia.

· Discuss the role of angel groups and recent developments in the funding ecosystems.

Growth Trajectory and Global Collaboration:

· Analyze the typical growth trajectory of startups in Saudi Arabia and their preferred expansion strategies.

· Emphasize the importance of global collaboration and partnerships for startups in today’s interconnected world.

· Discuss the potential benefits and opportunities of connecting startup ecosystems on a global scale.

International Collaboration and Initiatives:

· Highlight existing initiatives or programs in both regions that promote international collaboration among entrepreneurs and tech companies.

· Share specific examples of successful collaborations between startups from Silicon Valley and Saudi Arabia.

Regulatory Considerations and Areas of Collaboration:

· Discuss the regulatory landscape for startups in Saudi Arabia and potential challenges entrepreneurs might face.

· Identify areas where Silicon Valley and Saudi Arabia can collaborate more effectively to drive innovation and growth.

Challenges and Success Stories:

· Invite Fouad and Stephanie to share personal challenges they have encountered in their roles and how they overcame them.

· Discuss their approach to measuring the success of companies they work with.

· Share inspiring examples of successful startups that have emerged from Saudi Arabia and the problems they solve.

Connecting with the Guests and Conclusion:

· Provide information on how listeners can learn more about Fouad, Stephanie, and their work.

· Briefly summarize the key takeaways from the discussion and reiterate the importance of collaboration between startup ecosystems.

Additional Questions:

· Discuss the current emphasis on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia and its potential impact.

· Explore the role of universities and research institutions in supporting the local startup ecosystem.

Foaud Alnazawi Bio

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fouad-alnazawi-a1175712/

Foaud is the Managing Director of Lamarka Consulting Services

Lamarka is a consultancy firm that provides range of services; we have been helping visionary leaders to unleash growth and development by Crafting Winning Strategies and Implementing them.

Lamarka is a group that has 2 companies; Lamarka Consulting Services and Lamarka 700. We offer range of services for our clients to improve their businesses and take it to the next level.

Our purpose is to inspire companies and individuals to achieve their highest potential.

Our core values are:

· Elevation of Standards

· Dreams, Creativity and Innovation

· Integrity

· Encouragement of individual initiatives

Stephanie Richards https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieerichards/

Stephanie has 20 years of experience at the intersection of national economic development and innovation ecosystems. She focuses on the strategy, policy, intelligent capital and international connectivity needed to accelerate young innovation and startup environments. 

With a background in economics, strategy consulting, entrepreneurship and venture capital, and following nearly a decade as a Middle East and North Africa (MENA) emerging markets and economic development specialist at Monitor Group (subsequently Monitor Deloitte), Stephanie founded her own firm in 2013. She advises and partners with mission-aligned venture capital funds, ecosystem builders, academic institutions and government entities to ensure that pioneering IP, innovation and technologies find a path to international markets and global impact.

Stephanie has a particular passion for mentoring researcher-entrepreneurs, building innovator-founder communities, and supporting innovation commercialization and ecosystemic transitions from shallower tech to deeper tech. She serves as an advisory board member, mentor and investor for numerous startups and early-stage companies, and is a business supervisor, guest speaker and regular mentor for entrepreneurial talent at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School.

Having been based in MENA since 2005, Stephanie now divides her time between the GCC, the UK (London and Cambridge) and North America (primarily Silicon Valley), actively working to improve collaboration between the diverse set of innovation communities on all three continents.–