052: THE MIDDLE EAST STARTUP ECOSYSTEM: The money is there, now what?
Release Date: 10/17/2023
059: AI & Advertising: From MAD MEN to MACHINE LEARNING
TechBurst Talks
🚀 AI is transforming advertising, and in this episode, we dive deep into how digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising is changing the game. My guest, Dagny Lacka, founder of Flow City, explains how her company is using AI, foot traffic analytics, and real-time bidding to make billboard advertising as dynamic and targeted as online ads. No more two-week static campaigns—now brands can target the right people, at the right time, in the right place. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: ✅ How AI is revolutionising outdoor advertising ✅ The power of real-time ad buying & precision targeting ✅ How...
info_outline
058: The ART & SCIENCE of B2B Marketing: Delivering what Buyers VALUE
TechBurst Talks
🚀 Tech, Marketing, and a Football Obsession—What Could Go Wrong? In this episode of TechBurst Talks, I sit down with my old mate Jon Buckthorp—Commercial Director of Differentiated, founder of Jon B Studios, and the kind of guy who juggles marketing, content, board advisory roles, and a questionable football allegiance (looking at you, Lincoln City). We cut through the noise of B2B marketing, diving into: 🔥 Why creativity is the secret weapon in tech marketing 🔥 The brutal truth about building a personal brand 🔥 How to stay authentic in a world of corporate BS...
info_outline
057: SAMSUNG'S GALAXY AI: Exploring Innovation, Security and Real-World Applications for AI on the Smartphone
TechBurst Talks
In this episode of Tech Burst Talks, I sit down with Ian Chong from Samsung Electronics to talk about his work on the mobile B2B team and the cutting-edge advancements Samsung is making, particularly in AI technology for smartphones. We dive into the new Galaxy AI capabilities, including features like Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Transcript Assist. Ian shares why on-device AI is critical for ensuring both security and speed and discusses Samsung’s collaborations with major tech players. We also explore how AI is being implemented in industries like law enforcement and finance. On a...
info_outline
056: DEMYSTIFYING AI: The NO BULLSHIT Guide
TechBurst Talks
In this episode of TechBurst Talks, we’re cutting through the AI hype and making sense of the endless buzzwords flooding the industry. You’ve heard them before—AI, ML, DL, LLM, SLM, RAG, ChatGPT, Custom GPT, NLP—but what do they actually mean? Joining me is Bernard Leong, host of the Analyse Asia podcast, founder of Dorje.ai, and a leading expert in AI. Together, we break down these terms in a way that’s accessible, practical, and bullshit-free—no matter your background. What makes this episode different? Bernard and I learn in completely different ways: 🔹 Bernard,...
info_outline
055: TELCO TRENDS 2024: The 5G Profit Puzzle & Telco Transformation
TechBurst Talks
In this episode of the Techburst Talks podcast, we delve deep into the current challenges and future prospects of the telecom industry. I'm joined by industry veterans from and , CEO of , the discussion spans a wide array of topics including: the financial viability of 5G - is anyone actually making $$$? the adaptation of telcos to new technologies like IoT - can telcos deliver complex solutions? and the increasing importance of customer-centric business models. The conversation also examines the role of #AI in transforming the industry, the impact of global markets, and the structural...
info_outline
054: IoT REIMAGINED: Practicality over Promises
TechBurst Talks
TechBurst Talks Season 4 Episode 2 IoT Re-Imagined: Practicality over Promises In this episode of the Tech Burst Talks podcast, host Charles interviews Gerhard Loots, CEO of Kallipr. Gerhard discusses his transition from running the IoT business at Telstra, Australia’s largest telecoms operator, to a startup environment, his current role at and the company's innovative IoT solutions. He elaborates on Kallipr’s unique approaches to sensor technology, total cost of ownership, and real-world applications in industries like rail and water management. The conversation also touches...
info_outline
053: The NO BULLSHIT Journey: Discovering Your True Self
TechBurst Talks
The tech industry loves to talk about disruption, innovation, and the next big thing—but what about the one algorithm we still struggle to solve? Ourselves. In this episode of TechBurst Talks, we’re shifting gears. No hype, no buzzwords—just a raw, honest conversation about life, purpose, and what truly matters beyond the boardroom. Joining me is Uma Thana Balasingham, a former tech leader turned purpose-driven entrepreneur. She’s navigated massive career shifts, personal reinvention, and the kind of introspection that most of us avoid. We dive into the Hoffman Process, a...
info_outline
052: THE MIDDLE EAST STARTUP ECOSYSTEM: The money is there, now what?
TechBurst Talks
If you keep up to date with the latest technology news, you know that the momentum and investment has shifted from Asia to the Middle East. But gone are the days where countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE just import technology and talent - the new trend across the Middle East is how to create a home-grown technology startup ecosystem - and this is what we are going to cover in today’s podcast. Let’s face it - money is not going to be an issue - but as we have seen from other countries, just throwing money at the startup ecosystem is no guarantee that it will be successful. ...
info_outline
051: AI, CHATGPT & FLYING TAXIS: How Government-led initiatives drive the Middle East's Innovation Ecosystem
TechBurst Talks
In Part II of our Middle East Deep Dive, we talk with Carrington Malin to find out how the government's in the Middle East are driving unprecedented growth and innovation. But it's more than just the tech, they are up-skilling their workforces and training students on how to leverage emerging technologies to transform the traditional industries that support their economies - and develop new ones. Exciting times to say the least... Show Notes: 1:00 Intro to Carrington Malin and the various roles he has played in the Middle East’s technology ecosystem for the past 30 years. 5:00...
info_outline
050: RECESSION? WHAT RECESSION? How the Middle East is driving technology innovation and spend
TechBurst Talks
This is the first in a series on Technology and Innovation trends in the Middle East. Things have gone quiet in Asia post-pandemic - and the global recession has not helped. However, the Middle East is thriving. Hardly a week goes by where there isn’t another jaw-dropping announcement related to emerging technologies like AI, autonomous vehicles and the Metaverse in the Middle East - or the massive investment in initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s NEOM. To help us delve deeper into the Middle East’s technology innovation landscape, I’m joined by . He's based in Abu Dhabi,...
info_outlineIf you keep up to date with the latest technology news, you know that the momentum and investment has shifted from Asia to the Middle East. But gone are the days where countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE just import technology and talent - the new trend across the Middle East is how to create a home-grown technology startup ecosystem - and this is what we are going to cover in today’s podcast.
Let’s face it - money is not going to be an issue - but as we have seen from other countries, just throwing money at the startup ecosystem is no guarantee that it will be successful.
To help us go through this topic, we are joined by the Partner & Co-Founder of SparkLabs Group, Bernard Moon. SparkLabs has made a name for itself by launching accelerators and VC funds in Asia, Australia and the US, but now they are entering the Middle East market, so let’s see what has drawn SparkLabs to that region - and what Bernard thinks will be the critical success factors to making sure they get a return on their investments.
Show Notes:
00:00 Intro to Bernard Moon and SparkLabs Group
02:30 SparkLabs new accelerator programs in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi
06:00 How does SparkLabs plan to find the “best of the best” startups in the Middle East
08:45 Do you see any similarities between the Middle East markets and other countries where you have had success with your accelerators (e.g. Korea, Taiwan)? And are there any specific opportunities and / or risks compared to the other markets you operate in?
14:30 What are the critical success factors for the Middle East markets to develop a home grown startup ecosystem? And what is the role of academia in creating this?
20:30 What does SparkLabs look for in startups that they want to invest in? And are there any red flags that you watch out for?
24:00 What will it take for SparkLabs to view their entry into the Middle East accelerator market a success?
26:00 What can countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE learn from other markets, like Singapore, that haven’t made the most of their investment / funding of their local startup ecosystem?
30:00 Why are startups keen to be involved with SparkLabs versus the many other accelerator programs in the market?
33:00 Last week, SparkLabs listed it’s USD 100m SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) on Nasdaq. Can you give us an overview of how this came about and what your strategy for the SPAC is?
More information on SparkLabs can be found here:
Contact Bernard directly: [email protected]