The CTO Show with Mehmet - Week in Review: Sep 17, 2023

September 17, 2023

Welcome to the 33rd edition of "The CTO Show With Mehmet" Weekly Summary Newsletter! If you're new here, a warm welcome to our dynamic community of 1360 subscribers across LinkedIn and Substack. Whether you're here for the first time or a loyal follower, your engagement is the lifeblood of this unique platform dedicated to tech, startups, and entrepreneurship.

What is inside?

-      Weekly Startup Insights From Middle East, Türkiye & Africa

-      Updates & Tips

-      Recommended Resources and Tools

-      Episodes Recap

Without further ado, let's dive into this week's multifaceted insights!

Weekly Startups Insights:

🌍 Regional Highlights

MENAP Region

🔹 Fintech:

  • Paismo (Pakistan) raised $1.3 million led by Indus Valley Capital.

  • Yalla (Egypt) plans to expand into Saudi Arabia.

🔹 Logistics & Supply Chain:

  • Equiptal (MENA) raised $1 million.

  • Barakah (MENA) secured $1.5 million in seed funding.

🔹 Digital Marketing:

  • DigiZag (Jordan) raised a seven-figure Series A from the SME Investment Fund managed by Al-Arabi Investment Group.

🔹 Construction:

  • MightyBuildings (MENA) secured $52 million in Series B, co-led by Wa'ed Ventures.

🔹 HealthTech:

  • SehaTech (Egypt) raised $850,000.

Africa

🔹 Fintech:

  • Itana (Africa) secured $2 million in pre-seed funding.

  • Mecho Autotech (Nigeria) raised $2.4 million in pre-Series A led by Global Brain Corporation, Ventures Platform, and Uncovered Fund.

🔹 AgriTech:

  • Two startups won the $116k GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize.

🔹 Automotive:

  • Mecho Autotech (Nigeria) is expanding into wholesale automotive spare parts distribution.

🔹 E-commerce:

  • Rentoza (Africa) secured $6 million in investment.

Turkiye

🔹 General Startups:

  • Otokonfor, a Turkish app designed to meet all post-sales needs of car owners, received an additional 8 million TL investment.

  • Gezibilen, a digital tourist guide app, is being funded on the Fonangels Crowdfunding Platform.

🔹 Investment Landscape:

  • Keyzer, a platform for project development, investment, and startup growth, plans to invest in 15 new Web 3 projects by the end of 2024.

📈 General Trends

1.    Fintech Focus: Digital financial solutions are on the rise.

2.    Logistics Innovations: New solutions are emerging in logistics and supply chain.

3.    HealthTech and AgriTech: These sectors are becoming hotspots for innovation.

4.    Construction Tech: Technology is revolutionizing the construction industry.

5.    E-commerce Evolution: Beyond traditional models, subscription and B2B platforms are gaining traction.

6.    Geographic Expansion: Startups are going global.

7.    Diverse Funding Sources: A mix of VC firms, angel investors, and crowdfunding platforms are investing.

8.    Sustainability and Social Impact: A focus on responsible entrepreneurship is evident.

📚 Sources

  • MENAbytes

  • Wamda

  • Tech Labari

  • Disrupt Africa

  • VentureBurn

  • Dunya

  • BitcoinKE

  • Google News

  • TechPoint Africa

  • TechNext24

  • TechCabal

  • Kocaeli Gazetesi

  • Startupteknoloji

  • TechInside

  • Techlabari

 Updates and Tips

-      Yassi Ventures participated last week in the Middle East Matchup Forum, organized by CenBiz Global Inc., the event took place in Dubai. We were delighted to connect with the broader startup community.

-      I am looking for supporters, As you know I run this newsletter and the podcast for one single aim, share the knowledge with everyone who dreams of being an entrepreneur whatever their age is, wherever they live. I struggled when I was younger to have this information and today I want to make it easier for everyone, though I am asking you to show your support through the links I provide at the end of this newsletter. Thank you

-      In case you missed it last week, The Startup Directory Ventures Fabrika: We have finished the main features and are now updating the data on a daily basis. There are two AI functions that are now open to the public for feedback. We invite you to try these features and share your thoughts.

Recommended Resources and Tools (Please note: Some of the resources linked in this section are affiliated links):

Trends.vc: Dru Riley has put the best to build not just a trending tech report newsletter but with the team he built a startup founders community that aims to provide insights into emerging markets, technologies, and business models Each issue usually dives deep into a specific trend, providing analysis, data points, and actionable advice. I have a discount code for you to join, just reach out to get it.

Softr: Enhance your business or build your MVP with Softr, the seamless platform for building applications without coding. Ideal for startups and SMEs, Explore this awesome platform and get in touch for assistance.

Make(Formerly Know As Integromat) Streamline your workflow with Make a leading automation platform that connects your apps and services effortlessly. Startups and SMEs, start by your own today or get in touch for a consultation

Podpage: Join over 25,000 podcasters and automatically create a beautiful, listener-friendly podcast site from your RSS feed. Customize the design to create a professional look you'll be proud of in a few clicks. No coding or technical knowledge necessary.

Episodes Recap:

This week, we had 5 interviews on different topics. Let us review what was on the air:

At the beginning of the week, on Episode 213:

Prepare to embark on an enlightening journey into the fascinating world of battery technology with Gleb Yushin 🇺🇦 , the CTO and Co-founder of Sila Nanotechnologies Inc. . He's not just a high-profile innovator but a storyteller who makes complex subjects intriguing. Unravel the tale of his transition from a Material Science Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech to pioneering the next generation of lithium-ion batteries. Listen attentively as Gleb outlines the immense challenges confronted while scaling laboratory breakthroughs to factory level, and discover the significant advancements in lithium-ion chemistry that are setting new industry standards.

Ever wondered about the future of video editing? Join us as we promise to unravel the world of AI video technology with Alex Uspenskyi , the co-founder CTO of Elai.io. An unforgettable journey from web development to AI, he shares his vision of transforming video editing through AI avatars. Prepare for a thrilling discussion on the innovative video creation process, the potential impact of OpenAI's new fine-tuning technology, and the ethical considerations involved in AI video creation. You won't want to miss the in-depth exploration into the future of this groundbreaking technology!

Have you ever pondered why some software developers are worth millions, or why tech giants always seem to have the upper hand? Veteran technology expert, William J. Raduchel, joins us to unravel this enigma, offering an intriguing perspective on the technological shifts sculpting our world. Journey with us as we traverse the dynamic landscape of technology, from the resurgence of client-server network computing to the revolutionary impact of smartphones, and how these shifts are shaping our society and economy.

Our latest conversation features the dynamic SID MOHASSEB , an entrepreneur, author, professor, and venture capitalist, known for his discerning perspective on the evolving landscape of AI and its impact on the economy. A riveting contributor to the dialogue on AI, Sid tackles the transformative effects of AI on the global job market and outlines a vision for the future workplace. His insights suggest an exciting paradox; while AI carries the potential to impact approximately 10-15% of jobs, it's also a catalyst for creation, igniting new job avenues and spurring a positive evolution in our generation.

Meet Frankie Cavanagh, our special guest for this episode and the CTO of Gemba. With a unique background in 3D art and animation, Frankie guides us through a compelling exploration into the VR-driven future of workforce training. Discover how Gemba is breaking the mold, using VR to harness the power of engagement, retention, and unparalleled safety in training environments. Listen to the awe-inspiring moment one of Gemba’s biggest clients uncovered the vast potential of VR in the training realm.

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A Big Thank You 🙏

Your support, feedback, and engagement make this journey worthwhile. Here's to another week of learning, innovation, and growth!

Best, Mehmet