Investing at Series A & supporting the MENA diaspora through TechWadi
Learn more about Sujude, a Network member, investor with JAZZ VP, and Board Member at TechWadi. Viaka Network members have access to discounted tickets to TechWadi's upcoming Annual Forum in SF!
Our weekly newsletter shines a spotlight on members of our Viaka Network. Plus, you'll find relevant job postings, upcoming events, and reading materials. Subscribe below!
We spoke with Sujude Dalieh, an investor with JAZZ VP and TechWadi Board Member
What's your full-time role & what do you do with TechWadi?
Investor at JAZZ Venture Partners, and currently on the board of TechWadi as we transition the organization to its latest iteration! I support our initiatives in advocacy, startups, and the annual forum.
What's the "origin story" behind your current full-time job(s)?
Venture was just an experiment at first while I was at graduate school studying product design engineering. I first did an internship at K50 the summer before I headed off to Stanford, mostly to understand the hype behind it all. I fell in love with early stage companies, the uncertainty of it all, and the future-looking thesis development. I then transitioned to more technical companies at Lux for a couple years, mostly across healthcare, fully leaving the world of product work behind.
At the end of my graduate school, I found my long term investment home at JAZZ, investing mostly at the Series A stage in companies optimizing human performance, from workforce and productivity to health and happiness.
What about your story with TechWadi? How and why did you get involved with the organization?
I was first pulled into TechWadi by a colleague during COVID in 2020. The quality and kindness of the technologists supporting the larger MENA diaspora community was unmatched. At the 2020 forum, I set up my first panel touching on emerging entrepreneurs, mostly targeting young consumers.
What's your fondest memory from the 2022 Forum?
Amjad, the CEO of Replit, had one of the best firesides on how to build the next stage of Generative AI tools in coding! He also touched on his time growing up in Jordan and had the audience laughing for most of the talk.
What are you most excited about for the upcoming Forum on February 10th?
The new faces! This year we gathered quite a few more people, across geographies and in different technologies - from climate tech to AI.
What's your favorite part of the Viaka Network thus far? Do you have any memorable experiences or connections made through Viaka that you can share with me?
I love the Viaka Demo Days!! It is amazing to see founders that have the same culture and background, especially as the tech industry starts to pay attention to the Middle East.
How can members of the Viaka Network (and beyond) be most helpful to you and your work right now?
I am looking for Series A companies! Across enterprise SaaS and consumer to deeptech. If it is optimizing any part of your life, I would love to hear about it.
Bonus: favorite dish from the MENA world?
Maklouba! It is also a dish I always seem to mess up.
TechWadi is hosting its Annual Forum on February 10th in San Francisco. Join the Viaka Network for discounted tickets and to connect with people like Sujude!
Upcoming Events
Below is a list of upcoming events from the Viaka Network & beyond over the next couple of weeks!
Viaka Events:
An Introduction to the Startup Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia - January 17th (Virtual)
Viaka Network Mixer in Cairo - January 28th (In-Person)
Broader Community:
Arab Health Conference - January 29th - February 1st
TechWadi Annual Forum - February 10th (Join the Network for discounted tickets)
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!
Work Opportunities
Recent job openings from the Viaka Network & beyond. If you apply, let me know so I can also make a personal introduction.
Investment Manager at ADITUM - Apply here
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!
Reads of the Week
Network members are encouraged to submit media suggestions to our Reading List
I’ve been a big fan of the Generalist for a while now. This article gathers best practices from top startup CEOs across the world.
That’s it for this week. Thank you! 👋
Like what you see? Here are some things you should do: