Michael Lints has over 20 years of experience helping innovative businesses obtain the resources, insights, and expertise they need in order to be successful. Michael has been a startup operator, investor, and mentor, and is currently a Partner at the Singapore-based venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures. He joined the firm in 2013 and is currently leading growth venture efforts, which include LP fundraising and portfolio management for Golden Gate Ventures investments at Series B and beyond.

Michael’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2000 when he co-founded an IT managed services startup in Europe that was acquired by a large data and telecom company six years later. In 2007, Michael founded a venture fund focused on Dutch small- and medium-sized enterprises to help them with capital financing, business development, and strategy. During the same period, he was invited to join the Economic Development Board Rotterdam as Vice Chairman. In that role, he launched the Young Economic Development Board where he brought together a highly influential Dutch network to develop a sustainable framework for public-private relationships that increased local business investment while leveraging the public infrastructure.

Michael has helped support firm and portfolio-level priorities that have spanned fundraising, capital allocation, and corporate development. He has helped to raise over USD $60M for Golden Gate Ventures and its portfolio companies, including helping to raise later stage rounds from external investors as well as leading two early strategic acquisitions.

Outside of work, sport is an essential part of Michael’s life. He is a former member of the Dutch karate team and the former ambassador for Treknology (Trek bikes distributor in Singapore). Michael actively participates in Ironman 70.3 races and marathons. He is also passionate about social justice and uses sport as a vehicle to raise awareness for important issues such as civil rights, economic opportunity, and education.

—-----------------------------------------------------------

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.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

—--- Resources—--------:

Michael’s LinkedIn account: @Michael Lints

Michael’s Website: michaellints.com

Golden Gate Ventures' Website: https://www.goldengate.vc/

—-----------------------------------------------------------

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Michael Lints and the Podcast

02:44 Who is Michael Lints?

06:16 Golden Gate Ventures: Mission and Early Days

09:39 Expanding to the MENA Region

12:55 Investment Strategies and Portfolio Insights

33:26 AI's Impact on Venture Capital and Industry

41:08 Michael Lints' Documentary: Broken Chains

42:56 Challenges Faced by Minority Founders

46:44 Personal Reflections on Career and Opportunity

48:38 From Martial Arts to Ironman

54:28 Investment Decisions and Regrets

57:02 The Impact of Market Trends on Fundraising

59:53 Key Questions for Founders

01:01:18 Characteristics of a Great Investor

01:03:12 The Importance of Founders in Early-Stage Investments

01:05:31 Navigating Exit Options in the Region

01:09:36 Wishes for the Regional Ecosystem

01:10:40 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts

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.

—-----------------------------------------------------------

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.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

—--- Resources—--------:

Julien’s LinkedIn account: @Julien Plouzeau

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

—-----------------------------------------------------------

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

Waleed A. Alballaa is a technologist-turned-investor with a proven track record across global and MENA markets, spanning semiconductors, wireless, mobility, and eGovernment. As a Founding General Partner at Sukna Ventures, he backs early-stage, tech-driven startups across the region. Prior to Sukna, Waleed co-founded STV, one of the MENA region’s largest VC funds, and led pivotal initiatives at Elm—including launching the firm’s first business sector and founding its corporate venture arm.

Waleed’s earlier career includes high-tech development roles at Cadence Design, Conexant, Skyworks Solutions, and Microsoft in the U.S. He holds a Master’s in Computer Science from Oregon Health & Science University and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from King Saud University.

Beyond investing, Waleed serves on multiple boards and actively mentors founders. He also co-founded the Saudi Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and the Business Analysis Association Group, where he currently serves as Vice Chairman. A committed technology optimist, Waleed is passionate about fueling innovation and strengthening the startup ecosystem across the MENA region.

—-----------------------------------------------------------

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.

Follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated and get in touch:

LinkedIn: Startups Arabia Podcast

Twitter: @ArabiaStartups

Facebook: @startupsarabia

Youtube: Startups Arabia Podcast

—--- Resources—--------:

Waleed’s LinkedIn account: @Waleed Alballaa

Sukna Ventures’ Website: https://suknaventures.com/

—-----------------------------------------------------------

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Introduction to Waleed Alballaa and the Podcast

02:50 Waleed's Journey: From the US to Saudi Arabia

08:16 Founding STV and the Corporate VC Experience

14:10 The Birth of Sukna Ventures

20:03 Focus on Early-Stage Tech and Disruptive Technologies

20:35 Exploring Space Tech and AI Innovations

29:25 The Future of the Saudi Startup Ecosystem

34:56 Global Ambitions and Product Development

37:29 The Evolving Software Market and VC Landscape

41:15 Exploring Future Computing Technologies

41:37 The Role of Venture Capital in Emerging Tech

42:26 Challenges in Predicting the Future of Tech

43:17 The Importance of Understanding the Present Market

44:06 Finding Early Seeds of Innovation

46:19 Global Investment Strategies

48:43 A Contrarian Bet on Hardware

51:51 The Evolution of LPs in Venture Capital

54:50 The Role of Endowments and Foundations

01:00:46 Effective Board Governance

01:07:06 Lessons from Missed Investment Opportunities

01:15:12 The Impact of Market Externalities on Startups

01:16:11 The Importance of Early Relationships with Founders

01:16:53 Challenges in Market Sizing and Portfolio Strategy

01:20:04 Current Trends in Saudi's Investment Landscape

01:22:23 The Role of Mergers and Acquisitions in Growth

01:26:37 Emerging Vertical Trends in the Region

01:30:17 The Semiconductor Industry's Potential in Saudi

01:34:43 Investment Decision-Making and Ecosystem Improvements

01:39:41 Quickfire Questions and Closing Thoughts