{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/668024d05cd64e8b86718671/69a72d38edee504921c2dd7a?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"#44 - Mahmoud Abdel-Fattah Moursy on Cartona's growth to over $60m annual GMV in Egypt, and how non-technical founders should think about building tech teams.","description":"<p>In this conversation, Mahmoud shares his journey from being a product manager at Careem to co-founding Speakol and launching Cartona. He discusses the lessons learned from his experiences, the importance of focus and empathy in product development, and the challenges of scaling startups in different markets. Mahmoud emphasizes the need for genuine relationships with suppliers and the significance of being hands-on as a founder. He also contrasts the startup ecosystems in Cairo and Dubai, providing insights into the advantages and challenges of each.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key takeaways:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Mahmoud's early experience at Careem shaped his approach to product management.</li><li>Focus and empathy are crucial in product development.</li><li>Building a startup requires a hands-on approach from founders.</li><li>The startup ecosystem in Cairo is different from Dubai's.</li><li>It's important to be genuine with suppliers and partners.</li><li>Scaling a startup involves understanding market needs and iterating quickly.</li><li>Hiring the right people is essential for startup success.</li><li>Non-technical founders should seek builders as co-founders.</li><li>Embedded finance can be integrated by learning from experts.</li><li>The startup journey is about continuous learning and adaptation.</li></ul><p><br></p>","author_name":"Sam Marchant"}