From Seed to Success: Elliott's mission with Oraseya Capital
This week, Elliott spoke to us about Oraseya Capital's mission and their SANDBOX Accelerator program, supporting tech startups in the MENA region
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We spoke with Elliott Denham, Head of Programs at Oraseya Capital
Current Work
What projects and initiatives is your company currently focused on?
At Oraseya Capital we invest from pre-Seed to Series B stages, in technology startups that have a nexus to UAE. The way we conduct due-diligence for pre-Seed and Seed-stage investments is most commonly via our Accelerator program called SANDBOX. Currently, we are actively enrolling startups to our next cohort of SANDBOX. It’s demanding – reviewing thousands of applications – but sincerely rewarding. There is never a dull moment when identifying up-and-coming startups that we could potentially invest in.
The Story Behind the Venture
Can you share the origin story behind your company and what motivated the creation of your accelerator program?
Over the past 12 years we have invested into tech startups in various capacities. We recognise that early-stage startups – particularly in the MENA region - experience difficulty in accessing capital, so we aim to buck that trend. Startups enrolled into our SANDBOX Accelerator program receive investment of $150,000, then Oraseya Capital can double-down by supporting follow-on rounds up to Series B.
Connecting with the MENA Startup Community
Why is your company interested in engaging with the MENA's global startup community?
In Venture Capital, the name of the game is dealflow. We remain on the lookout for high potential tech startups that could scale from MENA to the world.
Favorite Viaka Network Moments
What's your favorite part of the Viaka Network thus far? Do you have any memorable experiences or helpful connections made that you can share with us?
It is evident that the Viaka Network has built a strong and diverse network that we are excited to contribute to.
Support from the Viaka Network
How can members of the Viaka Network (and beyond) be most helpful to you and your work right now?
I’d like to flip the question and pose the thought: how can Oraseya Capital be of most value to the Viaka Network and beyond? We are actively deploying capital and are always seeking to support high calibre entrepreneurs. By remaining founder-centric in our ethos, whether it’s making introductions, being a sounding board or supporting follow-on rounds, we’ll endeavour to help where we can. In the immediate short term, if a pre-Seed or Seed-stage founder is seeking to take their startup to the next level, they ought to consider joining the SANDBOX Accelerator program – www.sandboxaccelerator.com
Bonus: Favorite Dish from MENA
What is your favorite dish from the MENA world?
Tough one! My taste buds long for a fresh tagine, although come to think of it I recently had the most delicious grilled lamb chops from a family-run street vendor in Oman. I’d definitely recommend!
Follow Oraseya Capital on LinkedIn and Twitter. And check out their website for more information.
🌐 Register now for our TWO Viaka events happening in July and August!
💬 Viaka Sessions: Panel on the Tunisian ecosystem 🇹🇳 - July 30th
Book your spot & share the event!
Join us for our second Viaka Sessions event, following the HUGE success of our first with over 100 registrations and a dynamic discussion. This time, we're handing the platform to key figures in the Tunisian startup ecosystem.
⚡ Viaka City Mixer in Chicago- August 7th! 🌇- Register now and invite a friend or two!
You'll have the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and spark new opportunities with fellow founders and investors. Enjoy delicious Mediterranean cuisine as you mingle in an open mixer, kindly hosted by our special Viaka members Abe Wehbi from Taft Law, George Khalife from TMX Group, and Ahmad Elzahdan from Audo.
🪐 Events within the Viaka network & beyond:
Blockchain in Banking - July 16th- HAPPENING TOMORROW! (Dubai, UAE)
The Real Deal on the Sanabil 500 MENA Seed Accelerator - July 17th (Virtual)
Building in Public: Transparency, Community, and Innovation in a Modern Startup- July 25th - (Virtual panel discussion)
The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Fireside Chat with Rand Fishkin (Founder of Moz and SparkToro) - July 31st (Virtual)
📝 Save the Dates: Events in August and September
Make sure to mark your calendars, take time off work, book your tickets, and sort out accommodations early! We’ve curated a list of exciting events happening later in August and September that you won't want to miss:
Founders Live Cairo: The ultimate entrepreneurial experience and pitch competition! - August 3rd (In- Person, Cairo, Egypt)
Jordan StartUp Expo: The Global Stage For Jordan’s Most Innovative & Emerging Startups - August 14th -15th (In-Person, Amman, Jordan)
Seamless North Africa: The Future of Fintech, Payments, Banking, Retail & E-Commerce Across North Africa - September 2nd- 3rd (In- Person, Cairo, Egypt)
Dubai AI & Web3 festival organised by Dubai AI campus - September 11th- 12th (In- Person, Dubai, UAE)
If you’d like to share an event in this newsletter, we encourage you to join the Viaka Network and share the event with info@viaka.net!
💡 Recent job openings from the Viaka Network. If you apply, let us know so we can also make a personal introduction! 👋
Work with Silicon Valley Bank and First Citizens: hiring for a FT associate Start Up Banking- Business Development role (SF, CA, US) - Hybrid
If you’d like to share a job posting in this newsletter, we encourage you to join the Viaka Network and share the event with info@viaka.net!
⭐ Read about the story behind the Imshi Imshi podcast, hosted by Viaka member Fadi Hindi, in TechWadi’s feature of the month! ⭐ The podcast is a Hakawati Production, hosted by Fadi Hindi, with executive producers Fadi Hindi and Karim Beidoun, and cover art by Tiffany Moujaes.
That’s it for this week. Thank you! 👋
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