Julien is the Senior Partner at Oraseya Capital, where he leads the firm’s investment strategy, oversees deal sourcing and execution, and actively manages a diverse portfolio of early-stage startups. Oraseya Capital invests from pre-Seed to Series B stages, fostering innovation and scaling transformative businesses across key sectors. Julien is also a member of the investment committee.

In 2021, Julien launched SANDBOX, Oraseya’s program for investing in and mentoring pre-Seed/Seed stage startups. The program has supported hundreds of founders, with 16 investments made in 2024 alone.

Julien plays a pivotal role in mentoring founders, building long-term partnerships, and guiding portfolio companies toward sustainable growth and success.

With a presence in the UAE’s startup ecosystem since 2012, Julien brings extensive experience as both a founder and investor. Prior to joining Oraseya Capital, he was Principal and Portfolio Manager at Dtec Ventures, where he led investments across various industries and helped drive the growth of the regional entrepreneurial landscape.

He began his career as an Investment Banker with Société Générale CIB in Italy, working on multi-billion-dollar corporate finance transactions. After moving to Dubai, he launched his first startup—an online artist agency representing over 1,000 talents across the region—which he successfully exited. He subsequently contributed to several ventures as a co-founder, advisor, and product director.

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The Startups Arabia Podcast connects you to the most prominent founders, investors, and operators of the Arab region. You will be inspired by their success, the challenges they overcame and the opportunities they see.

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Julien’s LinkedIn account: @Julien Plouzeau

Oraseya Capital’s Website: https://oraseyacapital.com/

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SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Julien Plouzeau and the Podcast

02:34 Julien's Move to Dubai and Early Ventures

04:50 The Challenges and Rewards of Building Startups

08:26 Investment Banking vs. Venture Capital

12:17 The Role and Mission of Oraseya Capital

17:16 Oraseya Capital's Investment Strategy and Achievements

22:15 Multi-Stage Investing: Strategies and Approaches

37:28 Path to Profitability and Scaling

38:37 Lessons from Regional Trailblazers

43:16 Success Strategies for Startups

48:26 Investment Stories: Podeo and Ogram

54:50 Navigating the Investment Landscape

01:06:58 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts