IS THE SFO-RUH PACT THE ULTIMATE PLAY FOR VC DOMINATION

The panel discusses the collaboration between the kingdom and the valley, focusing on the growth of local startups and the role of government backing. Prince Khalid emphasizes the importance of government initiatives and regulatory reforms in fostering entrepreneurship. The conversation highlights the GCC as a unified market and the need for collaboration among countries. Courtney and Anu discuss the MENA region's unique regulatory landscape and the need for investors to connect founders with the right support. Tala emphasizes the fund's focus on helping founders go from Saudi Arabia to the US, building bridges for global opportunities, especially in AI. Christian suggests attracting large US tech companies to open offices locally to train talent and de-risk the ecosystem. The speakers agree on the importance of a safety net for founders, including the acceptance of failure and the need for U.S. venture capital participation. Courtney notes the shift in narrative for MENA-based LPs, now focusing on financial objectives. The discussion also touches upon the importance of education, highlighting success stories, and fostering a culture of innovation to encourage entrepreneurship.