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with Loulou

Loulou Khazen
Entrepreneurship
Venture Capital
Startups
MENA
MENA Startup Ecosystem
Investment
MENA Region
Saudi Arabia
Artificial Intelligence
United Arab Emirates
Private Equity
Sustainable Growth
Careem
Series B Funding
Bitcoin
E-Commerce
Mental Health
Family Businesses
Investment Landscape
AI Tools

What does it actually take to build, run, and scale a business in the Arab world and how do global events shape it? With Loulou is the only Arab business podcast hosted by an operator and investor with skin in the game. I share my take, and then invite the founders, investors, operators, and thinkers who are shaping the region. Featured 4× on Apple Podcasts Middle East.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes108Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessEntrepreneurshipTechnology

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Latest Episodes

Is the Middle East entering a new golden age?

Loulou sits down with one of the most well-connected geopolitical economists working today for a structural read on the region recorded as the US-Iran 60-day MOU process opened, Strait of Hormuz traffic ... more

What happens to your job when the most powerful companies in the world are laying off thousands of people not because they are failing, but because they are betting on AI instead, and your region is also in a war that is reshaping who can hire and wh... more

Where do you put your money in the Gulf right now? Loulou sits down with one of the UAE's most experienced investors to read the region as it actually is in June 2026: the regional war still the dominant story, the World Cup just under way and more. more

Abdullah Mutawi, Partner & Head of Corporate MENA at Taylor Wessing, and Kushal Shah, Private Markets Investor, join Loulou for a conversation (episode 103) on where opportunity really sits in the GCC today.

They unpack angel investing, founder red ... more

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Recent Guests

Justin McGuire
Chairman of MCG Talent, recruitment expert in the GCC
MCG Talent
Episode: AI, Jobs and the Side Door: A Top MENA Recruiter on Surviving 2026
Faisal Belhoul
His Excellency, respected investor and operator in the region
Investor and Dubai Chambers (former vice chair)
Episode: HE Faisal Belhoul on the UAE That Came Out of the War: Capital, the World Cup and the IPO
Kushal Shah
Private markets investor and serial operator; co-founder roles in regional angel investing groups
Dubai Angel Investors; Saudi Angel Investors
Episode: Two top angel investors are DOUBLING down on the GCC, but what are they investing in?
Gaurav Biswas
Founder and CEO of Trukker
Trukker
Episode: The $240M startup trying to fix trade in the Strait of Hormuz
Philip Bahoshy
Founder and CEO of Magnitt, region's private data platform
Magnitt
Episode: 9 of 14 MENA Tech IPOs Are Underwater. Now What?
Mo Gawdat
Technologist, former Google executive, author on stress and happiness
Google
Episode: Special Episode: When War Stops Feeling Far Away | Mo Gawdat
Anam Khalid
Co-founder and CEO of Squatwolf
Squatwolf
Episode: E97: This Dubai Expat Risked Everything—Then Raised $30M to Build a Global Brand
Nima Abu Wardeh
A well-respected journalist and media expert known for her work with BBC and international media.
Episode: E96: أن تكون معروفاً أو أن تُمحى: عن المال والكرامة في عالمٍ تضيق فيه الخيارات | مع خبيرة التواصل والإعلامية نعمة أبو وردة
Hussein Freijeh
Vice President and General Manager for the Middle East and North Africa region at Snap Inc.
Snap Inc.
Episode: E95: From Refugee Roots to Snapchat VP: Hussein Freijeh on Love, Progress and Authentic Leadership

Hosts

Loulou Khazen
Co-host and primary interviewee with a track record as an operator and investor in the Arab world.
Mabrouk
Co-host contributing hosting duties and market-facing insights.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 136 ratings
  • بودكاست رائع

    شكراً للأخ محمد جودت و لولو اللقاء كان اكثر من رائع و استفدت منه جداً 🙏🏻🤍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mreviews1
    Saudi Arabia9 months ago
  • المال الامريكي يبتني مكان منشاء

    اشكر الا الحكومة الفدرالية

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    لا عالب الا الله
    Saudi Arabia10 months ago
  • Every episode is a master class on startups, innovation and investment

    If you are an entrepreneur or an investor in the Middle East or beyond, you must listen this podcast. Great inspiring stories and great host. Loulou Khazen is amazing selecting her guests and conducting the conversation. Mabrouk!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Eva Ramos Perez-Torreblanca
    Spain2 years ago
  • Trials and triumphs

    a crash course on the trials and tribulations and eventual successes of top tier entrepreneurs, hosted by an inquisitive mind, and set in a cosy atmosphere.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hippie-soldier
    United States2 years ago
  • A must-listen podcast

    Gives the audience the opportunity to get to know the entrepreneurs behind the successful stories, lessons learned and who’s who in the VC space

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RoulaRabbat
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are consistently high-caliber and well-chosen for the Middle East tech and business scenes.
The host is perceived as knowledgeable, prepared, and engaging, with a strong grasp of regional dynamics and founder challenges.
Listeners praise the insightful, practical startup lessons and candid conversations with regional leaders.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The $240M startup trying to fix trade in the Strait of Hormuz
Q: What is the key difference between venture debt and traditional bank financing in this context?
Venture debt is more flexible and faster to close but comes with higher costs; bank-financed receivables through securitized structures reduce risk for lenders and lower overall cost of capital over time.
The $240M startup trying to fix trade in the Strait of Hormuz
Q: How does Trukker manage pricing and protect customers from profiteering during a crisis?
Trukker publishes open scope documents, fixes prices based on alternate ports, caps costs for clients, and uses non-recourse securitized receivables to stabilize working capital for suppliers.
The $240M startup trying to fix trade in the Strait of Hormuz
Q: If you decide that you want to invest in specific startups today, where would you put your money as an investor?
The guest prioritizes real estate for cash-flow generation and long-term asset stability, emphasizing cash flow over speculative gains and diversification to weather crises.
$212M Gone. Inside the Nana collapse with a Gulf VC
Q: How do you assess risk now as a VC, especially for early-stage investments?
We look for long horizons and macro resilience; seed investments operate on multi-year timeframes, so we emphasize runway (minimum ~24 months) and cost efficiency, while keeping a flexible view on valuation to protect returns if exits are delayed. We also emphasize diversification and the idea that the best vintages often come during times of wide dysfunction, when resilience and innovation are most needed.
E97: This Dubai Expat Risked Everything—Then Raised $30M to Build a Global Brand
Q: Do you think you're a role model to women in your village or not a role model?
I think there are a lot of women who look up to me.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About with Loulou

What is with Loulou about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show spotlights building, running, and scaling businesses in the Arab world, with a focus on practical lessons from founders, investors, and operators who are actively shaping the regional ecosystem. Episodes often explore entrepreneurship in the GCC and broader MENA, geopolitical and macro factors affecting startups, funding dynamics, and strategies to build resilient companies. A standout angle is the host's hands-on experience as both operator and investor, which informs candid conversations and actionable guidance for listeners navigating regional markets and global disruptions. The format consistently draws high-caliber guests from tech, venture capital, and commerce, delivering insight-rich discussions and real-world tactics for ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to with Loulou?

These podcasts share a similar audience with with Loulou:

1. El Daheeh - الدحيح
2. مُلخص كتاب
3. El-Podcasters
4. من زكاها - تطوير الذات
5. بودكاست أبجورة

How many episodes of with Loulou are there?

with Loulou launched 6 years ago and published 108 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on with Loulou?

Recent guests on with Loulou include:

1. Justin McGuire
2. Faisal Belhoul
3. Kushal Shah
4. Gaurav Biswas
5. Philip Bahoshy
6. Mo Gawdat
7. Anam Khalid
8. Nima Abu Wardeh

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