Episode 4-Navigating Iraq's emerging tech ecosystem

Unlike other countries in the region, Iraq does not have a thriving start-up ecosystem and largely goes unnoticed by most regional or international venture capital investors. However, an increase in new start-ups, an improving political and security environment as well as an improving economy could change this in the coming years.The year 2022 was the biggest year for funding in Iraq's start-up ecosystem, with over $18 million being deployed, according to Magnitt, a Dubai-based data platform on MENA start-ups.In our fourth episode, we spoke to Mohammed Khudairi, the Managing Partner of Khudairi Group, a family holding company operating businesses in the US, Europe and the Middle East.He is also General Partner of Iraq Venture Partners, a Baghdad based early-stage venture capital firm. Mohammed is also the co-founder of Iraq Tech Ventures, an early-stage investment firm.In this episode we touch on several points including:Why Iraq should be considered a tech ecosystemThe opportunities within Iraq's emerging start-up ecosystemSpecific challenges and risks facing start-up founders, users and investorsThe future outlook for Iraq's start-up sceneIntro theme song-'Tales of the Arabian Nights' composed by StudioKolomna via Pixabay