The fusion of tech and content creation with Basil Fateen
We had an insightful conversation with Basil Fateen about his dual career in tech and content, and how his new role at AWS makes AI accessible to all builders and creators.
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We spoke with Basil Fateen, Principal Startup Advocate at AWS & Creator of “MVP Lab” YouTube Channel
What are you currently working on? (this can be job(s), projects, startups, etc)
I’m currently in transition from my previous role as Principal Startup Advocate to Principal Technology Evangelist at Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Now you may be thinking, “and what the hell are either of those?”
Both advocacy and evangelism involve lots of speaking at events, content creation, marketing strategy, technical demos and of course my favorite part, working with incredible innovators and connecting them with cutting edge technology to build cool things.
So my focus is broadening from only startups and more towards Generative AI and emerging tech across all segments. My goal is to help tell this story and help all builders, founders and creators grasp all the ways they can use AI, without technical jargon or hype.
I recently launched MVP Lab (my YouTube channel):
https://youtube.com/@mvplab-aws?si=Ogz4RpghWEnQgu4i
What led you to work on this? What's the "origin story" behind your current job?
For the past 20 years, I have had dual lives. One in tech (software and products), one in content (writing and filmmaking).
Previously I had to keep these two worlds apart, but now the universe has dictated that they converge together majestically like frolicking unicorns in a field. There was surely a better and more professional metaphor to use, but that’s what happened and we just need to move on with our lives.
Why are you interested in connecting with MENA's 'global startup community'?
I love to work with the smartest innovators on the planet, especially in my MENA home, and I would love to connect with as many of them as possible in this incredible and thriving community. Reach out on LinkedIn, would love to know what you’re working on!
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 me?
Though I have yet to attend one of the legendary events due to prior travels, I really enjoy the newsletter and the intros to interesting people.
How can members of the Viaka Network (and beyond) be most helpful to you and your work right now?
Reach out to me on LinkedIn, Subscribe to the YouTube channel and let me know your feedback and if there’s any way I can help you!
Bonus: favorite dish from the MENA world?
Ok, now I need to slow down and think about this answer (more than the rest).
If I had to choose only one dish it would be Fattah. When it’s done right, it’s heavenly. And I’m going to cheat and add a dessert, which is obviously Om Ali. Sweet, flaky, milky awesomeness. And now I’m extremely hungry and will likely binge on Egyptian food. Thanks a lot Viaka.
Below is a list of upcoming events from the Viaka Network & beyond over the next couple of weeks:
Viaka Monthly Coffee Hour- May 20th (Virtual)- HAPPENING TODAY!
Product Market Fit (PMF) to Go-to-Market (GTM) Fit - May 22nd (Virtual)
Broader Community:
Reboot Gaza, A Peleset Angels Initiative - May 20th (In-Person, CA, USA) TODAY!
Finnovex Saudi Arabia 2024, The Leading Summit on Financial Services Innovation and Excellence - May 21st- 22nd (In-Person, Riyadh)
AWS Summit Dubai 2024 - May 29th (In-Person, Dubai)
Funding Futures: Mastering the Startup Investment Landscape for Startups - May 30th (In-Person, Dubai)
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 & beyond. If you apply, let us know so we can also make a personal introduction.
Modern Treasury is seeking a FT: Junior- Recruiting Coordinator (SF, US).
DoorDash is hiring a FT: Senior Manager, Enterprise Business Development (US, remote)
Dandy is looking for a FT: Senior Financial Analyst (Remote)
People.ai is hiring a FT: Senior Consultant, Customer Success (Remote)
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!
🎥 🔴 ▶ MVP Lab offers no-nonsense, jargon-free guides to help you build and grow your startup fast in 2024 with No-code and Generative AI.
➡️ This week, we recommend checking out the MVP LAB channel on YouTube, hosted & created by Basil Fateen. Show some love by subscribing and watching the amazing videos, like the most recent "How to Avoid the Void." If your startup is in the ideation stage, validation is your traction fuel! This video covers the 4-step validation playbook and how to talk to your target users to get those initial insights and ensure you're solving a real problem.
That’s it for this week. Thank you! 👋
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