Hamdi Tabbaa

first and foremost clarification for founders raising VC should be to seek understanding of how VC's operate, simplest illustration found is below 👇 courtesy~ Stéphane Nasser #startups #founder #investment #clarity #venturecapital

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I'm loving my local podcast lineup right now, with FWDstart VC React, Loulou Khazen Baz Podcast, and Lucidity Insights. I feel we need a podcast that focuses on the actual company building—covering specific engineering, product, marketing, sales, compliance, and more. It would be fantastic to hear from subject matter experts about real challenges, lessons learned, and tactical advice. - a podcast like this could be incredibly powerful for value creation. Edit: Why? Yesterday, I had a 30-minute Zoom call with the VP of Growth at a Series-A regional tech company. I wanted to learn the ropes of zero-to-one sales org and exchange notes. He shared his entire playbook, breaking down what to consider, what to avoid, and giving specific tactical advice that you can immediately apply. The beauty of this was that it was tailored for the local market. It's Gooooollld! After the call, I thought, "I wish that could be a podcast." There would be so much value creation in that call. You promote the expert, they gain exposure for career growth, and the content helps other operators who don't have access to such experts. Overall, it helps the ecosystem grow. Plus, we always see the same beautiful faces of founders and VCs on different podcasts. Let's get some new faces! Dom Monhardt, when are you starting yours? :) What local podcasts do you enjoy?

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5 key takeaways in the VC market from my trip to the UAE 🇦🇪 I recently returned from an engaging trip to the United Arab Emirates, a journey filled with client meetings, strategic partnerships, and groundwork for our upcoming launch in the DIFC. This visit has been nothing short of enlightening, offering a deeper understanding of the burgeoning VC and private equity landscape in the region. Here are my 5 key takeaways: 1. Investor Queries One prevalent question among investors is why seek funding in the UAE when markets like the UK and US are well-established? The answer lies in the unique strategic opportunities the UAE market offers, particularly in bridging Eastern and Western economic corridors. 2. Value to the Region UAE investors are particularly interested in how foreign businesses plan to integrate locally. Questions arise about setting up physical offices, serving regional customers, engaging in local M&A activities, and the broader impact these companies aim to have within the UAE. 3. Investment Dynamics There's a cautious approach among local investors who prefer not to lead investment rounds initially. They often seek reassurance through the presence of a lead investor, reflecting a risk-averse attitude typical of emerging markets. 4. Sustainability and Innovation Post-COP28, there's a noticeable increase in the emphasis on sustainability, supported by new regulations from entities like the Dubai Development Authority to ensure new developments adhere to stringent energy efficiency and sustainability standards. 5. Emerging Trends Alongside sustainability, sectors like AI and FinTech have seen significant interest and growth. These areas are rapidly becoming central to the UAE's economic diversification plans. While the UAE's economy and market are relatively nascent, the rapid development, entrepreneurial spirit, and favorable business regulations are positioning it as a formidable force in the VC and PE arenas. The UAE is not just a place to invest, but a thriving hub for initiating and scaling innovative businesses. As we plan our expansion into this vibrant region, we're excited about partnering with local investors and founders who share our vision for groundbreaking ventures. The UAE's dynamic market is ripe with opportunities, and we are committed to being a part of its growth story. If you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or industry stakeholder interested in the UAE market, I would love to connect and explore potential collaborations. #VCUAE #PrivateEquity #Innovation #Sustainability

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Interesting observations for those tracking the growth of the startup ecosystem across MENA

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I looked at the data of the biggest startup exits (> $100 million) from the Middle East & North Africa to see what their founders went on to do after the sale. The sample size is very small right now, with only 18 such exits, including five IPOs. However, there are still some interesting insights here. ➝ Almost half of the founders are continuing to build the same business. This makes sense because, as I said, five of these are IPOs and some others are recent where founders are likely staying as part of their agreements with the acquirers. ➝ About one-fifth are investing in businesses, mainly in tech. Two through private firms and the other two through VC funds they founded; Talabat's Mohammed Jaffar who started Faith Capital, and Fawry's Mohamed Okasha who founded DisrupTech Ventures. ➝ Another one-fifth are still building stuff. This includes the founders of Careem spinning off the super-app business, Hosam Arab building a fintech unicorn, Talabat's Abdulaziz Loughani building Floward, and Donna Benton building different things. Most of those who continue to run the firms they started or are building new stuff without starting investment firms or VC funds are also investing regularly through angel cheques. But that is not their primary focus. The founders of Careem, for example, have invested in dozens of companies, across the region. These insights lead to another question. How many GPs in MENA have previously built a tech company (or product). I'll discuss this in another post in the next few days.

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I was very disappointed when I read this post. It’s an example of a core problem with raising from VCs——bullsh*t criteria filters. It’s lazy and arrogant investing at its finest. 1- Passing because of a “signal”. This is just a weak excuse to not speak with a founder. If there is one thing I’ve learned as an investor, it’s that decks rarely tell the story well. With all the dynamics of early stage company building, relying solely on “minor flags” to pass is just a cheap excuse to not speak with someone. 2- Founder not “paying attention to detail”. Attention to the correct details is important. This type of “detail” is ridiculous. As an outsider, you have no idea what their document management is like. They may have updated the document that very day. You’re getting upset about naming conventions like it means that they can’t possibly build a billion dollar company. It doesn’t matter. 3- Being butt hurt when you realize you weren’t the top of their list. This one makes me laugh the most. What an arrogant stance to take. “Oh, I wasn’t your first call? Go jump off a cliff.” It doesn’t strike people like this that it may have taken months to network their way into the person that he knew so they would get an introduction so this investor would take it seriously? Note, “I was sent a fund deck the other day” means that it was a referral, presumably from someone they know and trust. 4- Fundraising must be tough because you’ve been in market for at least two months. Cut me a break. It’s hard for every company in this environment. Most of the best performing VC investments in history struggled to raise money in their first few rounds. And most of the company who raised huge amounts with no friction end up Hindenberging. This is so lazy and biased. These investors also tend to be logo investors—eg who else is committed to the raise. 5- Saving time by not taking the meeting. A VC cannot possibly take a call with every deck that comes across their desk. However, especially when it comes from a referral, and things sound “pretty good”, give it the benefit of the doubt. Especially when it’s so hard to tell a story to hundreds of investors who all have different expectations for “the perfect deck”. Your obligation to your fund LPs means you turn over every rock. Make the time. Pass it to an analyst to hear the full story. Don’t look for weak excuses like this to pass. If you’ve experienced at fundraising, I’m sure none of this is a surprise to you. Fundraising is extraordinarily difficult. If you’re new to venture fundraising, this is just one example in a sea of irrational behavior exuded by VCs and the analysts that filter deals for them. Buckle up. **Thanks to Alex Dunsdon for sharing this investor screenshot with his network first.

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So great to speak to Mohammed Islam on The Mo Show podcast last week! Watch the full episode here!

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Based on my 15 years of experience, this is the biggest difference between first-time and second-time founders when they pitch their seed round 👇

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Frugality has always been a core value for me, especially in the world of entrepreneurship. Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, once mentioned that the greatest founders are those who are careful with every dollar. It makes me think when I see startups investing in lavish offices, designer furniture, and extravagant perks. While comfort has its place, I often wonder: does it really help build something lasting? For many visionary founders, money isn't about personal luxury—it's fuel for their mission. They're willing to make sacrifices, sometimes even taking little to no salary, to invest more into what they're creating. It's not about depriving ourselves but about focusing on what's truly important. So here's a thought: Are we directing our resources toward what genuinely advances our vision? Can we choose a bit of frugality today to build something greater for tomorrow? Sometimes, putting purpose over perks can make all the difference. What are your thoughts on embracing frugality in our entrepreneurial journeys? #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #FounderMindset #Frugality #PurposeOverPerks

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Here's the MENA VC news you missed out on last week 👇 💸 NVIDIA has acquired Brev.dev, a San Francisco-based AI and machine learning development platform startup, marking an exit for Saudi-based VC firm Nama Ventures. Founded by YC alums Alec Fong (CTO), Ali Ahmed (COO), and Nader Khalil(CEO), Brev.dev raised an undisclosed amount in pre-seed funding from Nama Ventures in 2022. Nama Ventures, founded by Mohammed Alzubi, focuses on early-stage innovation in the MENA region, particularly Saudi Arabia. The acquisition price remains undisclosed. This is NVIDIA’s fourth acquisition of the year as they expand their DGX Cloud service for enterprise AI app development. 🇪🇬 Egypt-based VC-incubator T-Vencubator has launched its first initiative, "Where's the Problem?" to support the Egyptian startup ecosystem. Founded in 2023 by Reem Safy, T-Vencubator aims to help entrepreneurs overcome financial and expertise-related challenges. The initiative plans to invest in five local startups by 2025, blending venture capital with incubator benefits to ensure growth and success. T-Vencubator offers mentorship, guidance, technological infrastructure, human resources, and a supportive environment to foster innovative ideas and support entrepreneurs. 🤖 Meta has partnered with Startupbootcamp MENA to promote AI use cases in the MENA business landscape. Startupbootcamp, a global accelerator network, connects startups with mentors, partners, and investors. This collaboration will leverage Meta’s Llama 3.1 open-source Large Language Model (LLM) for innovation and product development, addressing regional business challenges. Selected startups will have the opportunity to join a global Meta-sponsored program and could receive up to $500,000 to advance their product development. 🇦🇪 UAE-based SANDBOX, the accelerator programme backed by Oraseya Capital, has celebrated the graduation of seven startups as part of its fourth cohort. SANDBOX is a five-month accelerator programme, where participating startups benefitted from more than 50 hours of workshops that include access to an integrated package of financial analytics, marketing strategies and legal compliance programmes. Seven startups have made it to the finals, including Qureos, HeroGo, Lisan, STHRIVE, Zoya, JobEscape, and Opteam. Each startup received an investment of $150,000. 🐢 And while you're here, do yourself a favour and sign up to get MENA tech and startup stories made simple, delivered directly to your inbox twice a week: https://lnkd.in/eVbWNJNp 📥 #vcfunding #startups #saudi #egypt #dubai #ai

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💡 𝘈𝘴 𝘘4 𝘬𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧, 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭  𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘱 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘛hey are not mine alone but aggregated from my daily conversations with job seekers, founders, VCs, and startup enablers 1️⃣ 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲. Startups may be hiring, but they’re setting the bar high. For eg I recently discussed a B2B Marketing Leader role for a post-Series C company and realized that, based on the criteria, the right candidate doesn’t exist in SEA. The search will need to go global. 2️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹. Many ex-startup leaders are launching communities, which is fantastic. But as I get invited to more, I sense community fatigue might start setting in as people are pulled in too many directions. 3️⃣ 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. Senior roles are increasingly moving across the region as talent pools in neighboring countries rise but not all is rosy. Read article in comments for something we wrote yesterday 4️⃣ 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲. Many senior leaders are embracing the flexibility and diversity of roles, with fractional leadership communities and platforms emerging to support this growing interest. A ex-candidate texted me yesterday to share her excitement about pursuing five different projects after she left her full time role. The energy is contagious! What else are you seeing? Grateful for some feedback #StartupLife #TalentTrends #Q4Insights

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Here's my Average Mo Fund thesis. Please don't steal it, I haven't started it yet. Actually, you could steal it, we need more of this 😑 In emerging markets, VC funds deploy capital in a specific founder archetype. One of these VC funds is in Egypt. They have recently published a podcast with their GP interviewing founders who they have just invested in. Now, what's interesting is that the podcast was in English. There were subtitles, but only English subtitles when they were speaking Arabic. The average moe building a startup might not really follow what they're talking about. Bear in mind that this fund is in Egypt, and they deploy capital in the Middle East. Only 40% of Egyptians speak English. These funds deploy in founders with shiny CVs. People who went to Harvard, ex-Google, ex-P&G, ex-"whatever fancy organisation they worked at". I know that these are biases. After all, if you are a fund manager with a shiny CV, you will want to invest in people with shiny CVs, because, in your mind, these people are successful and have a strong work ethic like you. On the other hand, there's the average Mo, a founder putting their 110% in their startup, because it is a matter of life or death to them. It is the only thing that makes them money. I know a lot of these average Mo founders. And they all have solid traction, customers, and products. Now, I know that investor risk appetite in merging markets is not big, so they'd rather derisk in what they think could work than risk it in what works most of the time. Some information about Average Mo Founders: -They build products for the Average Mos (most people). -Their work ethic is unparalleled because if it doesn't work out, there is no trust fund to save them (grit, no plan B, point to prove). -They sell and market products in a lingo that most people know. -They cater to people's needs most of the time, and rarely to what people want. -They operate in big industries and markets like manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and transportation. -Costs on their balance sheets are low because they tend to get the best deals. -They are short on capital and there aren't many of them in funds' portfolios. Some funds and accelerators are focusing on this, but they're not too many. There's just one accelerator in Egypt that caters to upper Egypt (50% of the population of Egypt). This is a picture of Mo Salah, who was once an Average Mo, and still is an Average Mo 😁 #startups #venturecapital #earlystagefounders #emergingmarkets #AverageMoFund

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Based on my own #experience and observations, I've discovered some truly unique ingredients that set apart the #founders of successful #startups. Beyond the #clichés and well-known factors, these elements have consistently stood out: 1- #Ego-Free Leadership: They park their egos at the door, focusing on the higher purpose rather than personal accolades. 2- Passion for the #Mission & Thrill of the #Journey: It's not just about the destination, but the excitement of the chase and the journey itself. 3- Openness to #Listen & #Learn: The most insightful lessons often come from unexpected places. Founders learn from everyone, even those they meet on the street. 4- #Self-Awareness & #Reflection: Regular introspection and self-awareness are crucial for continuous growth and improvement. 5- Clear #Vision & Strategic #Focus: Having a clear vision and strategic plan helps guide the startup through various phases of growth and challenges. 6- #Resilience & #Adaptability: Being resilient in the face of setbacks and adaptable to changing market conditions is key. 7- Value of a #Strong, #Diverse, & #Inclusive Team: Understanding that you're only as good as your team, striving to surround yourself with people who are better and can teach you, and fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment leads to more creative solutions and a stronger team dynamic. 8- Beyond #Monetary Incentives: While financial rewards are important, founders also seek other meaningful ways to motivate their teams. 9- Supportive #Community: Building a network of collaborators and supporters who provide assistance and encouragement in all forms. 10- #Customer-Centric & #Ethical #Leadership: Understanding and prioritizing customer needs drives innovation and product development, while upholding ethical standards and integrity builds trust with employees, customers, and partners. #StartupSuccess #Leadership #Teamwork #ContinuousLearning #CommunitySupport #Diversity #CustomerCentric #EthicalLeadership

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📍Here's the MENA startup, VC, and tech news you missed out on this week... 👇 💸 SHIFT inc. (🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia), a tech-driven mobility platform, has secured $83 million in funding from Merak Capital. 🚀 Founded in 2017 by Khalid Al Sulaiman, SHIFT provides mobility solutions like car rentals, last-mile logistics, and vehicle leasing across Saudi Arabia. This investment will support SHIFT’s continued growth as it operates a fleet of 12,000+ vehicles across 57 cities. 💸 Coral (🇦🇪 UAE), a climate tech startup providing carbon emission management solutions, has raised $3 million in a Seed round led by a group of investors. 🚀 Founded in 2022 by Juergen Hoebarth and Daniele Sileri, Coral helps businesses manage their carbon emissions through a streamlined platform. 💸 Padash (🇮🇶 Iraq), a q-commerce platform for instant food and grocery delivery, has secured $125,000 in pre-seed funding from an undisclosed angel investor. 🚀 Founded in 2023 by Ahmed Jamal, Omer Sabah, Mohammed Y. Shahoyi, and Ahmad Baez, Padash provides instant delivery services in Erbil city, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This investment will support Padash's expansion within Erbil and further development of its mobile app. 💸 Ajeej Capital and Nuwa Capital have launched Amplify Growth Partnership, a $100 million growth debt fund aimed at addressing the debt capital gap for Series A to Series C tech businesses in the region. 🚀 Led by Sharaf Sharaf, the fund will offer loans starting at $3 million, targeting companies with $5 million+ in revenue and strong market traction. Up to 20% of the fund will go to non-MENA companies entering the region. The fund has already closed its first deal with a Saudi fintech, with more investments expected soon. 💸🇵🇸 Ibtikar Fund has closed its second VC fund, Ibtikar Fund II CV, at $25 million, exceeding its $15 million target and doubling the size of its first fund. EBRD Venture Capital committed $3 million, marking its first equity investment in a West Bank VC fund. Other investors include the Bank of Palestine, Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF), and the IFC - International Finance Corporation. 🚀 Habib Hazzan and Ambar Amleh are the managing partners at Ibtikar. The fund will invest in up to 25 early-stage tech companies, aiming to address capital shortages, support digitalisation, create jobs, and empower young and female entrepreneurs. 🚗 WeRide and Uber have announced a partnership to bring WeRide’s autonomous vehicles to the Uber platform in Abu Dhabi later this year, making autonomous rides available to select users. Get the full 5-minute briefing 👉 https://lnkd.in/dZw549ft 🐢 And while you're here, do yourself a favor and sign up so that the next edition goes straight to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/dszhXGGP #menatech #startupnews #venturecapital #fintech #AI

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YouGotaGift's $31 million acquisition in numbers. The Dubai-based platform was acquired by Japan's Giftee, earlier this month. They acquired a 91 percent stake for $28.1 million, with the founder retaining the rest. For those who don't know: YouGotaGift sells digital gift cards to consumers and businesses, offering pre-loaded vouchers usable at around 300 partner merchants. In B2C, consumers buy and send personalized digital cards to friends and family, through the website or app, adding animations, photos, and stickers. For businesses, there are two main use cases: - Large businesses like telcos use the platform for loyalty program rewards - Employers provide digital gifts to employees for recognition Back to numbers. The sale price represents almost 10 percent of Giftee's market cap, which offers similar products in Japan and some Southeast Asian markets. The acquisition marks their entry into the Middle East. - YouGotaGift did $161 million in volume in 2023, up 10% yoy. It is expected to do $220 million this year. - Revenue in 2023 was up 30% yoy to $10 million. The company forecast for this year is $13 million. - EBITDA this year is expected to double to $4 million. MEVP, which first invested in the firm in 2015 through MEVF II, was the largest shareholder with a 44 percent stake. They should've made $13.6 million from this. More on Termsheet: https://lnkd.in/dSmXqPPZ.

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🚨 Please, make this post viral 🚨 🎯 Startup Founders & Investors, imagine this: You're a passionate startup founder with a groundbreaking idea, but finding the right investors feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. 😓 💥 I'm in that exact position right now, and I know I'm not alone! That’s why I’m reaching out to YOU—the brilliant minds who’ve been in the trenches, the VCs who’ve seen it all, and the entrepreneurs who’ve beaten the odds. ❓ How do you prevent your startup from failing due to a lack of funding when investors seem out of reach? ❓ 👇 Drop your best personal tips in the comments below! Let’s turn this post into a goldmine of advice that can help every startup founder facing the same challenge. 🏆 🔁 If you know a fellow founder who could use some insight, share this video! Let's create a wave of support that helps us all push forward. 🚀 Marta Marrucco Web Summit Lorenzo Thione James Sinclair Samuel Surkos Mohammed AlQahtani Valerio D. Gulli Rubén D. Tomáš Halász David Minarik Remco Veenenberg ClickUp Stjepan Steve Zelić Max Pog Mate Vert Donát Dékány Baiba Rozenberga Noemi Kirkwood Juraj Kralik 🎯 Pawel Maj #StartupAdvice #FundingChallenges #Entrepreneurship #FoundersHelpingFounders #Startup #VentureCapital #CEE

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🚀 Pavilion: Investing in yourself! 🔥🧠 .. no investment yields better ROI. ✅ Joining Pavilion has been nothing short of transformative, and I'm excited to share some highlights from the incredible journey (still early!) and the brilliant minds I've connected with: - Shai Haddad: His insights on GTM metrics have revolutionized the way I view our strategies at Stay22. Thanks to Shai, my approach to metrics is forever changed. 📊 - Sylvain Bergeron: His expertise in leveraging events for sales is unmatched. We’re now implementing his strategies at Stay22, and the results are speaking for themselves. 📈 - Vyara Ndejuru: A true "Suave Cool Queen 👑", Vyara has significantly upskilled our PR tactics (thank you for the time you gave Rami Nuseir!). Get ready to see Stay22 in the headlines! 🌟 - Ryan Staley: Ready to dive into AI and boost efficiency? Ryan's AI Bonanza is the toolkit to save time and enhance productivity. 🤖 I can't wait! - Mario Krivokapic & NOAM TAMARI-WEKSER : Their guidance is paving our path to upscale to enterprise-level clients. With their help, the #GTM team at Stay22 is reaching new heights. 🚀 These connections aren't just networking opportunities; they are deep, ongoing learning experiences that continue to profoundly impact my professional life. 📚 Pavilion is more than just a community; it's a powerhouse of knowledge, growth, and collaboration. The ROI from learning from such esteemed peers? Immeasurable.📈 Thinking about investing in your growth? Well, you should. .. there is no better investment than yourself. There’s no better place than Pavilion. Learn from the best, connect with leaders, and transform your professional journey. Check out how to join us here: https://lnkd.in/eRJNGMA4 #ProfessionalDevelopment #GTMLeaders #Stay22 #LearnAndGrow #JoinPavilion #tech #travel #GoMap #montreal

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Mr Hasan Dayoub forget about most important step: ACT FAST 💨 EXECUTE FAST 💨 DELIVER FAST 💨

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