In business, especially for startups, who you know matters. Paul Sterriker gets this. He’s spent thirty years building companies and advising leaders. Now, as a venture capitalist in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), he connects startups with investors, aiming to create something bigger than anyone could do alone.
“There’s amazing entrepreneurial energy in the MENA region,” Paul observes. “But good ideas and talented people need support—money, of course, but also smart strategy—to really succeed. I want to help make those connections.”
Paul believes in working together. He doesn’t just give startups money; he links them with investors, experienced advisors, and key people in their industries. For him, it’s not about simply providing funds and walking away. Instead, he focuses on building a community where entrepreneurs can really flourish. “Startups need more than cash,” he points out. “They need advice, resources, and valuable contacts to handle the difficulties of growing their businesses.”
To that end, Paul has organized networking events specifically designed for the MENA region’s unique startup scene. These gatherings bring startups, investors, and experts together to share ideas, form connections, and kickstart new projects. “The best ideas often emerge from conversations,” he observes. “When you bring people with different viewpoints together, you create opportunities for real innovation.”
Paul also strongly believes in mentoring. He feels that experienced businesspeople should share what they’ve learned with the next generation. Through mentoring programs, he works directly with founders, helping them polish their presentations, create solid business plans, and get ready for the difficulties of expansion. “Mentoring isn’t just about giving advice,” he explains. “It’s about offering a listening ear, providing guidance, and sometimes, offering a dose of reality.”
Ultimately, building a successful startup scene takes more than individual effort. It requires a sense of community where everyone—entrepreneurs, investors, mentors—contributes to each other’s success. Paul aims to build a collaborative culture in the MENA region, one where startups not only survive but truly flourish.
This collaborative spirit also shapes his investment choices. Paul seeks out founders who are not just tough and innovative but also willing to work with and learn from others. “The best entrepreneurs understand they can’t do everything themselves,” he observes. “They welcome feedback, want to improve, and are ready to build strong teams.”
He’s noticed a key problem: a disconnect between startups and potential investors. Although the MENA region has plenty of talent and good ideas, many entrepreneurs struggle to access the networks and opportunities they need to get funding. Paul is working to fix this, creating avenues where startups can demonstrate their potential and investors can discover the next generation of industry leaders.
Paul believes a strong startup scene isn’t built on cash alone. It’s the web of connections, the shared dreams, the way people lift each other up—that’s what makes investments truly pay off. He’s seen it firsthand. Startups he’s championed have taken off, landing big funding, branching into new markets, and becoming real players. But for Paul, the real reward isn’t just about the numbers. It’s seeing those entrepreneurs blossom into leaders, the kind who inspire others to reach higher.
He’s not stopping there. Paul wants to broaden his reach and join forces with more investors and groups to build even bigger platforms. He’s especially drawn to startups with a heart for sustainability and social good. He’ll tell you: business should do more than just make money; it should make a difference. Because when you back ideas that help the world, you’re not just building a company; you’re building a better tomorrow.