Viaka Newsletter: Empowering thought leaders and building networks -- Danielle Letayf + Badassery!
Viaka is building the exclusive digital destination for top-tier founders, experts, investors, and talent across the globe with a professional or personal interest in the MENA region
This week, we’re highlighting Danielle Letayf and Badassery!
Applications to join Badassery are currently open until May 10th! Apply here and mention Viaka.
What do you currently do? I'm the CEO & Founder of Badassery, a private community of unconventional thought leaders dedicated to igniting change. We empower thought leaders worldwide to push boundaries, magnify their influence, and create the change they were meant to make.
We help our members 100X their network with a highly curated community of professionals from the likes of Spotify and Uber, elevate their personal brand through hundreds of resources, and help them make supplemental income through paid speaking gigs and press opportunities. To date, we've helped our community collectively make over $250,000 in supplemental income, all while spreading their unique stories to global audiences.
What prompted you to go down this career path and how did you get into this field? Badassery was born out of a frustration I experienced while at one of the world’s most prestigious tech conferences—most of the speakers up on stage were simply similar. None had my curly hair, my parents’ immigrant story, or even a non-Ivy League school attached to their bios. Where were all the thought leaders that represented what the world actually looked and sounded like? Why was it so hard for them to be highlighted? …it’s not. And that’s when Badassery was born.
What originally got you interested in connecting with the MENA startup ecosystem and other like-minded folks in Europe/North America? My Lebanese culture has been a huge influence on my work running global communities for large and small organizations alike. As many of us who have roots in this region know, community is the center of everything we do—the way we share mezeh, live in intergenerational homes, stop by our neighbors' house unannounced for a quick coffee. I'm mostly facinated by the stories of founders of the MENA startup ecosystem, and the way they continue to hustle and innovate. Networks are everything, and have gotten me to where I am today.
What types of connections are you looking to make through Viaka? This can be from the MENA side, as well as with other MENA-connected folks in the Viaka Network I'm always looking to connect with other community builders! The space is ever-changing and it's always great to keep a pulse on what's happening around the world, especially in MENA. Otherwise, I'd love to exchange startup stories and advice with anyone who is building something they believe in.
Where will that take you? Truthfully, I don't think of connections ever "taking me" to a place—I realized I don't enjoy the networking process if there's always an end goal. Instead, I'd simply like to learn and exchange, and if that takes me somewhere, then great. If not, at least I spent some time learning about something or someone new. That's often enough.
Bonus: favorite dish from the MENA world? Knefeh! It's a sweey cheesy dessert typically eaten for breakfast. Nothing can compete 🤤
Promising Opportunities from Our Partners
New opportunities added in April 2023
To invest in:
uMake is raising a seed round to fuel the expansion of their innovation ecosystem model to commercial real estate in Palestine and the rest of the MENA region.
To receive investment from:
533 Syndicate is looking for promising founders across stages and industries. Ticket sizes as low as $20K and as high as $100K.
Click on the button below to see all current opportunities & get involved:
Exciting Announcements From Our Network
Below is a list of updates, wins, and asks emanating from members of the Viaka Network in the “West.”
We’re hosting an AMA with 4 VCs in our Network! Fundraising is tough right now, so we’ll be asking top-tier VCs how startups can still impress.
Get your tickets to the AfricArena Cairo Summit! This conference will include pitches and presentations from 20+ of Africa’s best late-stage startups. Check out more here.
Our friends at LebNet and TechWadi are hosting an event! On May 11, they will be hosting a Bay Area AI in healthcare panel discussion. Link here for more info!
uCast is hiring a sales team member! Interested in joining an early-stage startup in a sales role? Check out the posting here for more info.
If you’re a member of our Network and would like to share your own update next week, email info.viaka@gmail.com or submit an update via this form.
Reads of the Week
Viaka has launched a Network Reading List, where Network members are encouraged to submit media suggestions of their own.
Check out Bayt.com’s survey of Entrepreneurship in MENA 2023.
Here’s a deep-dive into the merits of establishing a paid membership community.
TechCabal has published an article highlighting the strength of AI in Africa.
Check out Viaka’s full reading list here.
Weekly News Digest
Check out our weekly digest — we provide news from all across the MENA startup ecosystem, every single Friday. Be sure to follow our LinkedIn and Twitter for more.
That’s it for this week. Thank you! 👋
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