with Loulou

Episode

• Two top angel investors are DOUBLING down on the GCC, but what are they investing in? 02.06.2026 1j 2mnt

  Abdullah Mutawi, Partner & Head of Corporate MENA at Taylor Wessing, and Kushal Shah, Private Markets Investor, join Loulou for a conversation (episode 102) on where opportunity really sits in the GCC today. They unpack angel investing, founder red flags, why many startups fail despite strong products, and the lessons that come from writing early-stage checks.
• The $240M startup trying to fix trade in the Strait of Hormuz 19.05.2026 52mnt

  Gaurav Biswas, Founder & CEO of Trukker, joins Loulou for a timely conversation on what happens to GCC supply chains when the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. They unpack how cargo was rerouted through alternate ports, land bridges, and trucking networks while food security, industrial supply, and construction materials came under pressure.
• 9 of 14 MENA Tech IPOs Are Underwater. Now What? 12.05.2026 55mnt

  Philip Bahoshy, Founder & CEO of Magnitt, and Ziad Awad, Founder & CEO of Awad Capital, join Loulou for episode 100 of With Loulou.
• Here's why the UAE didn't collapse in the face of US/ Iran war 05.05.2026 44mnt

  Day 56 of the Iran war. Most international press wrote Dubai's obituary in March. Predictions of a mass exodus, the end of the UAE story, a 15 year setback. None of it happened. 2,800 strikes were fired at this region. Almost nobody left. Trevor McFarlane, Founder and CEO of EMIR, advisor to GCC CEOs and government leaders, explains why. Recorded in Dubai, April 22, 2026. Day 56 of the Iran war.
• $212M Gone. Inside the Nana collapse with a Gulf VC 28.04.2026 58mnt

  Khaled Talhouni of Nuwa Capital joins Loulou Khazen to unpack how geopolitical uncertainty is shaping startups, capital, and investor sentiment across MENA. They discuss what 53 portfolio companies saw through the conflict, the slowdown in funding, the Nana collapse, AI opportunities, and where liquidity may emerge next. It’s a grounded conversation on venture risk, resilience, and what founders and investors should be watching now.
• Special Episode: When War Stops Feeling Far Away | Mo Gawdat 14.03.2026 1j 3mnt

  In this special episode, Loulou Khazen speaks with Mo Gawdat about fear, uncertainty, and how the human mind reacts during times of crisis. They explore how media overload, anxiety, and constant information affect the way we think and make decisions. The conversation focuses on how individuals and families can stay calm, think clearly, and hold on to their humanity during uncertain moments.
• E97: This Dubai Expat Risked Everything—Then Raised $30M to Build a Global Brand 30.07.2025 1j 2mnt
• E96: أن تكون معروفاً أو أن تُمحى: عن المال والكرامة في عالمٍ تضيق فيه الخيارات | مع خبيرة التواصل والإعلامية نعمة أبو وردة 16.07.2025 1j 15mnt
• E95: From Refugee Roots to Snapchat VP: Hussein Freijeh on Love, Progress and Authentic Leadership 17.06.2025 1j 28mnt
• E94: محمد جودت: لأول مرة، ما لم يُقَل عن النجاح والحياة 29.05.2025 1j 52mnt
• E93: "زينة خوري تتحدث عن الاستثمار بالنفس، العقارات، و"الدراما 10.05.2025 1j 7mnt
• E92: How to Think Big, Start Small, and Succeed at Anything — Lessons from the Founder of the world’s largest tech event! 19.03.2025 28mnt
• E91 Special Arabic Episode: عن الشهرة، الفشل، الذكاء الاصطناعي وعظمة المرأة المصرية: حوار بالعربي مع رائد الأعمال المصري محمد أبو النجا 14.02.2025 1j 21mnt
• E90: The deal maker: Ziad Awad on compromise, deal killers, negotiation, and Trump’s ‘drill baby drill’ impact on GCC economies 26.01.2025 50mnt

  I sat down with Ziad Awad, the Founder and CEO of Awad Capital, a boutique investment bank, specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
• E89: Philip Bahoshy-the startup valley of death, founder burnout, UAE-Saudi ecosystems, M&A drought and venture capital predictions! 13.01.2025 1j 54mnt

  I sat down with Philip Bahoshy, founder of MAGNiTT, for a no-holds-barred conversation on the realities of the startup world. We unpack the "Startup Valley of Death," exploring why founders fail, when to quit, and how to navigate burnout.
• E88: Sky Kurtz: the $300M agri-tech giant, avoiding down round disasters, founder self-sabotage, the hard truth about MENA exits, tariffs, and bad actors ruining a multi-billion dollar industry 30.12.2024 1j 57mnt

  I sat down with Sky Kurtz, Co-founder and CEO of Pure Harvest Smart Farms, to explore the $300M journey of building an agri-tech giant in the Middle East. In this episode, Sky shares his hard-earned lessons on avoiding down round disasters, the pitfalls of founder self-sabotage, and why a high valuation isn’t always a good thing.
• E87: What It Takes to Win Big (in MENA): Insights from a $35B Founder and Global Investor 16.12.2024 1j 19mnt

  In this episode, we'll get practical insights from Chris as a founder, investor, global thinker and yogi. We'll explore what it takes to scale a business and why he believes in the potential of the MENA region.
• E86: Maha Abouelenein: build your brand, bet on yourself and live with no regrets! 02.12.2024 1j 13mnt

  I sat down with Maha Abouelenein, powerhouse communicator, entrepreneur, and best-selling author of Seven Rules of Self-Reliance. Maha shares her incredible journey—from starting as a secretary for Naguib Sawiris to building a PR empire, working with global icons like Gary Vee, and becoming a bestselling author. We dive into the lessons from her book, the importance of betting on yourself, unlearning outdated ideas, and building a personal brand rooted in authenticity. Maha’s insights are both inspiring and practical, whether you’re an entrepreneur, corporate leader, or someone seeking purpose and growth. This is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and self-belief! Support for the show comes from Capital.com, a global investment company with offices in Dubai. Click here for a chance to win AED 1m. 
• E85: Talal Tabbaa on the Bitcoin run, Bitcoin ETFs, Altcoins. Is it too late to get in? 18.11.2024 1j 25mnt

  I sat down with Talal Tabbaa, co-founder of CoinMENA, to unpack the latest in the crypto world. We dive into Bitcoin’s recent bull run and why ETFs are a game-changer for institutional adoption. Talal shares his take on altcoins, meme coins, and whether they’re worth the hype—or just a gamble. We also tackle the big question: is it too late to get into Bitcoin? Plus, we discuss how governments, particularly in the GCC, are positioning themselves in the crypto race. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, this episode offers insights you can’t afford to miss. Support for the show comes from Capital.com a global investment platform with offices in Dubai. Click here for the chance to win AED 1m: https://bit.ly/3CDIT3f
• E84: Where is my seafood coming from? A conversation on turtles, tech and fishy business practices! 04.11.2024 1j 11mnt

  I sat down with H.E. Sheikh Fahim a member of the Executive Council of Sharjah and the Executive Chairman of the Department of Government Relations to talk about his marine conservation work. Sheikh Fahim a.k.a. ‘the Turtle Sheikh’ whose love for the ocean - sparked by saving ‘Farah’ a turtle stuck in a fishing net - led him to launch SeafoodSouq, a technology business that tracks the global seafood supply chain or as per his words ‘a digital passport for fish’.  Our conversation covers the state of our oceans, overfishing, bycatch and outright fraud. A fascinating discussion about the need for us all to do our bit and most importantly, to ask a very simple question: where is my fish coming from? Support for the show comes from Capital.com, a global investment platform with offices in Dubai. Visit (https://bit.ly/3YaWM0R)