Rami Tabbara, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Stake, discusses his challenging start in the real estate industry to building the most advanced real estate investment platform in the world.
Rami shares the lessons learned from early career risks, the importance of focus and perseverance, and the strategies that have driven Stake's growth and success. Samer and Rami discuss navigating regulatory landscapes, scaling operations in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and the critical importance of user experience and team culture. They look at the broader MENA entrepreneurial ecosystem and highlight the opportunities and challenges faced by startups in the region.
Key takeaways:
- Risk-taking is essential for entrepreneurial growth.
- Stake offers world-class experience for investing in UAE and Saudi
- Accessibility and transparency are key in real estate investment.
- Life is too short to stay in an unfulfilling job. Hire people to intentionally craft culture.
- Focus on being the best in one area rather than diversifying too much.
- The MENA region is experiencing a golden age for startups.
Chapters:
00:00 Rami Tabbara, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Stake
01:52 Early Life and Career Beginnings
02:51 University and Early Work Experience
03:59 Transition to Dubai and Real Estate
04:59 Joining and Growing The First Group
07:11 Experience with DAMAC
09:06 The Birth of Stake
14:27 Building Stake During COVID
24:22 Taking the Leap and Early Challenges
30:30 Meeting Ricardo and Building the Initial Team
31:48 Advice on Hiring and Company Culture
35:09 The Concept of Co-CEOs
35:47 Importance of Technology in Startups
41:39 Launching the Marketplace
44:37 Partnerships and Market Strategy
47:11 Scaling and Team Growth
1:00:03 Singular Focus on Saudi Arabia Real Estate
1:03:55 Tough Decisions and Lessons Learned
1:07:50 Hiring the Right People
1:12:17 Scaling and User Experience
1:15:15 Marketing and Growth Strategies
1:17:12 Focus on Real Estate
1:18:40 The MENA Ecosystem
1:30:43 Inspirational Founders in the Region
