WHAT IS THE PRE-SEED PULSE?

June Sarpong chairs a discussion on the pre-seed pulse in the Global South with Kais Al-Essa, CEO of Vision Ventures, and Koussai Alsaf, CEO of Seru Capital. Kais discusses Vision Ventures' focus on supporting early-stage entrepreneurs with funding and strategic guidance, filling a market gap identified in 2016. Koussai explains Seru Capital's active role in leading investment rounds and creating value for founders, alongside his work with the Venture Capital Private Equity Association to improve regulations and connect the ecosystem. Kais disagrees with the notion of a slowdown in pre-seed investment, highlighting the region's growth potential and the emergence of experienced second-time founders. The speakers agree that political stability and economic openness are driving investment, with fintech and logistics attracting significant attention. They note the growing importance of AI, which is now embedded in various sectors. Both investors emphasize the importance of listening to founders and supporting their vision rather than imposing specific directions. They also look for opportunities to connect founders and encourage collaboration.