Mo Salah: Why the Middle East Needs Builders, Not consultants

In this unfiltered episode, Mo Salah (no, not the footballer) breaks down exactly why that’s a problem—and what we need to fix it.

From working with Techstars, Seedstars, and Startup Grind to founding Pitlane Ventures and Founders Paddock, Mo’s spent a decade inside accelerators across the region. He’s seen what works, what doesn’t, and why Silicon Valley’s model still matters.

💥 Why the region lacks a true builder culture

💥 What a “real” startup ecosystem needs (hint: not McKinsey)

💥 The 4 things every founding team must have before Day 1

💥 Why you probably shouldn’t start a company in your 20s

💥 The Middle East’s most promising startups right now (Tabby, Gameball, Instabug)

Founders’ Voice

Hosted by Dan Mellins from AraGeek, Founders’ Voice brings you raw, honest conversations with the entrepreneurs and dreamers reshaping the MENA region. From bootstrapping in tough times to building businesses that make a real impact—these are stories of grit, hope, and community. No jargon. No fluff. Just real voices making it happen.

Listen Now:

  • Website: https://en.arageek.com
  • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AOiMKhmwUSBjElxrWP6No?si=yP0CtF2dTDmfZocUNZ_HWw
  • Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/475543d2-24b4-4de1-b247-27ceb584436c/founders’-voice-from-arageek-com

Follow AraGeek:

  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/Arageek_en
  • LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/arageek-com
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arageek.english/
  • AraGeek TV: https://en.arageek.com/tv

Mo Salah: Why the Middle East Needs Builders, Not consultants

In this unfiltered episode, Mo Salah (no, not the footballer) breaks down exactly why that’s a problem—and what we need to fix it.

From working with Techstars, Seedstars, and Startup Grind to founding Pitlane Ventures and Founders Paddock, Mo’s spent a decade inside accelerators across the region. He’s seen what works, what doesn’t, and why Silicon Valley’s model still matters.

💥 Why the region lacks a true builder culture

💥 What a “real” startup ecosystem needs (hint: not McKinsey)

💥 The 4 things every founding team must have before Day 1

💥 Why you probably shouldn’t start a company in your 20s

💥 The Middle East’s most promising startups right now (Tabby, Gameball, Instabug)

Founders’ Voice

Hosted by Dan Mellins from AraGeek, Founders’ Voice brings you raw, honest conversations with the entrepreneurs and dreamers reshaping the MENA region. From bootstrapping in tough times to building businesses that make a real impact—these are stories of grit, hope, and community. No jargon. No fluff. Just real voices making it happen.

Listen Now:

  • Website: https://en.arageek.com
  • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AOiMKhmwUSBjElxrWP6No?si=yP0CtF2dTDmfZocUNZ_HWw
  • Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/475543d2-24b4-4de1-b247-27ceb584436c/founders’-voice-from-arageek-com

Follow AraGeek:

  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/Arageek_en
  • LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/arageek-com
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arageek.english/
  • AraGeek TV: https://en.arageek.com/tv