Latest news with #Anghami
CairoScene
3 days ago
- Business
- CairoScene
Dawarha Sah Ep04: Ahmed Hammouda is Changing How Egyptians Think About
What happens when you try to change how a whole population invests their money? Thndr's founder Ahmed Hammouda has a plan. Jun 24, 2025 For episode four, we sit down with Ahmed Hammouda, co-founder and CEO of Thndr, Egypt's groundbreaking digital investment platform aiming to democratize access to financial markets across the region. Hammouda breaks down what it really takes to build a licensed fintech from the ground up in one of the world's most tightly regulated industries, and why he believes the future of financial inclusion in MENA starts with education, trust, and cultural change. We talk breaking investment taboos, why financial literacy isn't taught in schools, and the ambition behind building the most impactful financial institution in the Middle East. From raising $15.7M to expanding into Saudi and the UAE, Hammouda gets real about risk, vision, and how startups can survive investor pressure without losing the plot. Hosted by government relations consultant Dania Ghoneim, Dawarha Sah is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders navigating Egypt's evolving startup landscape. Stream the episode now on Spotify or Anghami, or watch the full episode below.
Leaders
15-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Startup Wars: When Data Said No, Anghami Said Go!
In 2012, the MENA region's digital landscape looked challenging for any new music startup. Music piracy was widespread, digital payments were clunky, and most people preferred free content. But two founders, Edward Maroun and Elie Habib, saw a chance where others saw problems. They launched Anghami, a music streaming service built for the unique tastes and challenges of the Arabic-speaking world. Betting on Culture, Not Just Numbers From the beginning, Maroun and Habib made a bold choice: invest early in expensive music licenses and a hybrid free/premium model. The data didn't support their vision. Studies suggested MENA users wouldn't pay for digital content, but their instincts told them a culturally focused platform could succeed. They were right. By February 2017, Anghami had 33 million registered users, and in March 2021, it went public on NASDAQ through a SPAC, achieving a $220 million valuation. The Gut vs. Data Dilemma Every entrepreneur faces the same question: trust the numbers or follow your instincts? This can be shown in a simple 2×2 matrix, where the horizontal axis represents the amount of data you have, and the vertical axis measures the strength of your gut feeling. Low Data, Low Gut: Guessing in the dark—like Amazon's failed Fire Phone, which sold fewer than 35,000 units in two months and lost the company $170 million. Guessing in the dark—like Amazon's failed Fire Phone, which sold fewer than 35,000 units in two months and lost the company $170 million. Low Data, High Gut: High risk, high reward. Steve Jobs ignored market studies when launching the iPhone in 2006, changing the mobile industry forever. High risk, high reward. Steve Jobs ignored market studies when launching the iPhone in 2006, changing the mobile industry forever. High Data, Low Gut: Safe but often slow. Think of Borders, which had the data to see the rise of e-commerce but outsourced its online sales to Amazon, leading to its downfall. Safe but often slow. Think of Borders, which had the data to see the rise of e-commerce but outsourced its online sales to Amazon, leading to its downfall. High Data, High Gut: The sweet spot for innovation. Netflix made a bold bet with House of Cards in 2013, using deep viewer data without even filming a pilot episode. The takeaway? Big breakthroughs often happen when strong instincts meet solid data. The key is knowing when to trust each. Real-World Gutsy Moves Talabat's Local Banner Experiment Talabat's marketing team tested animated banners (which data suggested would boost conversions by 172%) against a simple image of a traditional Middle Eastern feast. Despite the numbers, they trusted their gut and chose the feast image, which improved conversions by 23% and lowered acquisition costs by 15.5%. Careem's Grocery Gamble In early 2020, Careem noticed a spike in grocery orders during lockdowns. Instead of just focusing on ride-hailing, they quickly launched Careem Quik. By 2022, monthly grocery orders had grown 26 times, proving the power of quick, gut-driven decisions. Choosing the Right Methodology Based on Your Stage Choosing the right approach depends on your startup's stage. Here's a quick guide: Ideation Stage (From Idea to Concept) First Principles Thinking: Break problems down to their basics, like Elon Musk does at SpaceX. MNT-Halan, Egypt's first unicorn, used this approach to rethink financial services. Break problems down to their basics, like Elon Musk does at SpaceX. MNT-Halan, Egypt's first unicorn, used this approach to rethink financial services. Design Thinking: Focus on real user needs and creative problem solving, used by IDEO and Apple. Jawwy by STC used this method to create a personalized mobile experience for Saudi youth. Focus on real user needs and creative problem solving, used by IDEO and Apple. Jawwy by STC used this method to create a personalized mobile experience for Saudi youth. Blue Ocean Strategy: Create new markets instead of competing for the same customers, like Cirque du Soleil. MNT-Halan also did this by combining ride-hailing with fintech in Egypt. Building Stage (From Concept to Product) Lean Startup: Test ideas quickly with Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to avoid wasting time on the wrong thing. Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) in Jordan uses this approach to help startups. Test ideas quickly with Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to avoid wasting time on the wrong thing. Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) in Jordan uses this approach to help startups. Jobs to Be Done (JTBD): Focus on the core job your product does for customers. Careem expanded by understanding what its users really needed beyond just rides. Growth Stage (From Product to Scale) AARRR (Pirate Metrics): Measure key metrics like Acquisition, Activation, Retention, Referral, and Revenue. Instabug, an Egyptian startup, uses this to keep its users engaged. Measure key metrics like Acquisition, Activation, Retention, Referral, and Revenue. Instabug, an Egyptian startup, uses this to keep its users engaged. RICE Scoring Model: Prioritize projects based on Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort. Vezeeta relies on this model to decide which features to build. Prioritize projects based on Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort. Vezeeta relies on this model to decide which features to build. OKRs (Objectives and Key Results): Set clear, measurable goals. Wuzzuf, Egypt's leading job platform, uses OKRs to guide its growth. Scaling Stage (From Growth to Market Leadership) Cohort Analysis: Track how groups of users behave over time. Talabat uses this to improve customer retention. Track how groups of users behave over time. Talabat uses this to improve customer retention. OODA Loop: Make fast, repeatable decisions. Aramex uses this to stay ahead in the fast-paced logistics industry. Sustainability Stage (From Leader to Legacy) Cynefin Framework: Choose the right approach for different types of problems. STC uses this for strategic planning. Choose the right approach for different types of problems. STC uses this for strategic planning. OKRs: Keep setting ambitious goals as your company scales. (now Amazon MENA) used OKRs to fuel its rapid growth. Your 5-Step Battle Plan Identify two ideas you believe can drive real impact. Gather quick data (mini tests, customer interviews) within a week or two. Trust your gut: What insights surprised you? What still feels right despite the numbers? Run hybrid experiments that blend both your data and intuition. Track a single key metric (like sales or retention) to measure success. Conclusion: The Leap of Faith Numbers are powerful, but so is your instinct. Don't let spreadsheets stop you from seizing the moment, and don't let gut feelings blind you to the facts. Maroun and Habib leaped when data said no, and today, Anghami stands as a testament to the power of intuition in the face of uncertainty. What leap will you take next? Short link : Post Views: 2
CairoScene
06-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Dawarha Sah Ep02: Turning Ideas into Impact with Yoeil Waheed
Dawarha Sah Ep02: Turning Ideas into Impact with Yoeil Waheed Episode two of StartupScene x Falak Startups Dawarha Sah dives into everything IP. Episode two features Yoeil Waheeb, CEO and Co-Founder of Progressio Solutions and Leader of the One Million Minds initiative. Starting as an inventor, Yoeil shares his journey of transforming groundbreaking innovations into profitable business models through strategic intellectual property licensing and R&D commercialization. The conversation covers how Progressio Solutions monetizes inventions without ever producing physical products, the powerful impact of intellectual property in today's economy, and how businesses can effectively license technology to major global companies. Yoeil also discusses the role of Egypt's evolving regulatory environment in protecting and incentivizing innovation. Tune in for a unique look at how creativity, patents, and strategic partnerships can shape a thriving, sustainable business model. Dawarha Sah is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders navigating Egypt's evolving startup landscape. With deep dives into business, investment, innovation, and policy, Dawarha Sah unpacks the critical forces shaping the region's economy. From funding strategies and AI adoption to patent licensing, R&D, and regulatory frameworks, Dawarha Sah brings together top investors, founders, and experts to explore what it takes to build, scale, and sustain a successful business. Hosted by government relations consultant Dania Ghoneim, the podcast leverages her extensive experience in risk management, policy advocacy, and business lobbying to provide real-world insights into the challenges and opportunities facing startups today. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Anghami
See - Sada Elbalad
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Nancy Ajram Drops New Single "Toul Omri Negma"
Yara Sameh Lebanese recording artist Nancy Ajram released Tuesday her latest single 'Toul Omri Negma,' on Anghami, with the accompanying music video dropping on January 29. Ajram took to Instagram to celebrate the song release, saying:" 🎶 It's here! 🎶 #طول_عمري_نجمة is out NOW exclusively on @anghami 💥 Stream it and feel the vibe🎧 Stay tuned for the official music video dropping this Thursday on my YouTube channel! 🤍". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nancy Ajram (@nancyajram) On Monday, the 41-year-old singer took to the platform to share a sneak peek at the visual in which she appears signing a divorce settlement. Ajram previously teased the new single, which will be dedicated to the late composer Mohamed Rahim, who died aged 45 on November 23, 2024. The track renewed divorce rumors about Ajram and her husband, Dr. Fadi El-Hachem is heading for divorce. Sources who alleged to be close to the added fuel to the rumors with claims that the pair had an amicable divorce. However, the singer's manager was quick to deny the rumors. Speculations arose after Ajram posted a tweet on X, saying: 'When a chapter ends, our souls begin writing a new chapter. This is the law of life.' The couple wed in Cyprus back in 2008 and has three daughters, Mila and Ella, and Lya. Ajram and her husband welcomed their third child on February 2, 2019. The acclaimed singer, born on May 16, 1983, is considered one of the best female singers in Lebanon and the Arab world. Ajram began performing as a child and participated in several television shows. Ajra released her debut studio album 'Mihtagalak' in 1998. She rose to fame after the release of the controversial smash hit single 'Akhasmak Ah' and the debut of her third studio album 'Ya Salam' in 2003. Ajram is considered by many an Arabic music icon of the decade. She was described on Oprah Winfrey's show as one of the most influential personalities in the Middle East. She participated in the most significant Arabic festivals and won multiple awards, most importantly the 2008 World Music Award for best-selling Middle Eastern artist, the youngest Arab WMA winner to date, 2012 WMA for the second time, and 2014 WMA for the third time. The acclaimed singer is a multi-platinum Lebanese singer and Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
Al Bawaba
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Nancy Ajram finally resolves her divorce rumor, reveals truth
Published January 28th, 2025 - 09:21 GMT ALBAWABA - After days of speculations on social media regarding whether Lebanese super star Nancy Ajram split with her husband Dr. Fadi El Hachem, the star finally uncovered what is going on. Also Read Did Nancy Ajram get divorced? a source reveals the truth The story all began when singer Nancy Ajram posted on her X account a hinted message reading "When a chapter ends, our souls begin writing a new chapter. This is the law of life" triggering massive speculations about the meaning behind it. Many said she got divorced while others said she is preparing a new song. Nonetheless, the Lebanese artist was spotted with her kids and family enjoying lunch at a restaurant while her husband was missing raising more speculations about separation rumor. Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram. (Instagram) Nancy Ajram finally resolves her divorce rumor, reveals the truth After days of uncertainty and social media discussion, the rumor became clear when Anghami, the legal music streaming platform, posted a small part of the artist's new video clip. Anghami shared a clip on Instagram for Nancy Ajram's upcoming video clip for her song "Toul Omri Nejma" (I've always been a star). In the clip, the star was seen inking a divorce paper and ending all rumors regarding her marriage in real life. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
