I spoke to several crypto founders thinking they have a fundraising problem when it was more of a structure problem. Here’s what typically happens: The token captures the upside The company holds the costs Corporate governance is basically nonexistent From a VC perspective there is: No clear ownership.No clean equity story.No way to win. So even if the project is good, no one cares. Institutional investors don’t fund “crypto projects.”They fund vehicles where value capture, control, and...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Right so today you'll learn about how to put a price tag on your business, even if it doesn't have revenue yet. This is aimed at two types of business owners: the startup founders and the crypto founders. First of all, why are we doing this? Last week I was invited to a podcast ran by Tahir who owns the biggest business trading platform in Dubai. I loved discussing with him because he knew exactly how to do company valuations, using all three methodologies. We joked about the fact that owners...
16 days ago • 2 min read
I'm starting this 3-part series because of yesterday's discussions. I'm helping a friend sell his business, as in 100% of the equity. This is going to be a full exit. You can sell a business in two ways: Private Equity Full Buyout - when a fund is strictly interested in financials or wants to build a strong portfolio Strategic Buyout - when another business wants to integrate your business in their own Both ways imply a judgement on how much your business is worth. Buying and selling...
25 days ago • 1 min read
Alhamdullilah He Has Risen First Muslim Christian Orthodox Easter My friend Andreea sent me a picture of Kris Jenner on Good Friday saying that Kris has blessed me with good fortune. I said I accept for I am Krisstian. Last night I went to get my candle lit (if you know you know) at the only Orthodox church I can find in Dubai. It was Russian. The vibes were off. No singing, no smiling and we had to go inside and light our own candles instead of people lighting each other's candles. Next door...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Happy Sunday. Today you're gonna read about your biggest liquidity event: the total exit of your company. Sure, you can sell your business to a friend. You guys negociate the terms and the price. But the most money and prestige you get is when you sell to an institutional investor. Why is that? First, this is a testimony to you as a founder. You've built something so valuable that even institutions are interested in acquiring it. Second, the corporate finance behind a PE buyout is a lot more...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Happy New Working Week Although some parts of the world are still on vacation. (you know who you are) Hello friends, old and new. There have been many sign ups to the newsletter this past week. Welcome! I hope it doesn't disappoint. It's important to mention these newsletters are pretty rare. I usually wait for valuable information to accumulate. I've been busy writing for other people. This meant using the words that they use, learning the language they speak and of course unlearning the...
4 months ago • 1 min read
This is for Mom She told me she misses the newsletter I promised you I wasn't going to send you anything unless there was something relevant to say. I kept my promise. Over the past 7 weeks I was in mid and high intensity business classes, parallel to client work. I made new friends! I can also teach you new stuff now (if you let me, of course). I promise I'll tell you all about it. Now, the articles below are more journaling sessions than articles per se. Just to keep mom in the loop with...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. Sarah Hadir, Instagram, 2025 There is something so beautiful about a project drawn 60 years ago that had some theories regarding its effects on society, for it to then be used way beyond anyone would ever anticipate. The symbolism of the postmodern buildings was supposed to evoke unity among a diverse society, with different ethnicities. In reality, what determines unity in the society is the public spaces and how they are...
9 months ago • 3 min read
What exactly is freedom? Articles on free will and what shapes it. I kinda got used to it but the regime in the UAE has its own type of propaganda. Union, Law, Business, Public-Private Cooperation, Discipline, Diversification, Talent, Future Generations. These are the 8 values of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Above all, in Dubai specifically, is tolerance. There are boys holding hands, there are girls in tiny skirts. There are free beaches. There are public libraries...
9 months ago • 1 min read