From The Investor Desk: Propeller’s Zaid Farekh On What MENA Founders Should Prioritize Amid Market Shifts
“Markets reward companies that adapt faster than the change happening around them.”
The Middle East’s startup ecosystem has weathered cycles of global and regional change before, and as it currently navigates another period of uncertainty, entrepreneurs across the region are operating in an environment that places renewed emphasis on resilience.
Against such a backdrop, we asked Zaid Farekh, Managing Partner of Jordan-based venture capital firm Propeller, to share his perspective on what the region’s founders should be prioritizing in the current moment. Here’s what he shared in the latest (and last!) installment of From The Investor Desk:
1. Prioritize financial resilience.
“In uncertain environments, cash is strategic oxygen. Founders should know their burn rate intimately, extend runway wherever possible, and prioritize initiatives that generate real revenue over vanity growth. The companies that survive volatility are usually the ones that managed their cash well before things became difficult.”
Zaid Farekh, Managing Partner, Propeller. Image supplied.
2. Stay extremely close to your customers.
“When the external environment shifts, customer priorities often shift with it. The best founders increase the frequency of conversations with users, shorten feedback loops, and iterate quickly. Markets reward companies that adapt faster than the change happening around them.”
3. Lead with clarity and composure.
“Uncertainty naturally creates anxiety inside organizations. Teams look to founders for signals on how to interpret what’s happening. Clear priorities, honest communication, and calm leadership help teams stay focused even when the external environment feels unpredictable.”
