In this episode, Mehmet sits down with strategy and finance advisor Moataz Mukhaimer, joining from Jordan, to unpack the most overlooked blind spots in early-stage startups. From pricing pitfalls to financial illiteracy, Moataz reveals the top three areas founders consistently ignore—and why getting these right can be the difference between scaling and stalling. A must-listen for any entrepreneur serious about building fundable, resilient companies.

Key Takeaways

• Why external research is the #1 blind spot for most founders.

• The critical link between pricing strategy and sustainable profitability.

• How to simplify financial modeling—even if you’re not a numbers person.

• The psychology of founders: knowing when to say no.

• The anatomy of investor due diligence and how to prepare.

• Why culture and failure acceptance matter in MENA’s startup ecosystem.

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What You’ll Learn

• How to avoid “build, build, build” syndrome without losing focus

• The real reason investors care more about cash flow than your pitch

• How to use value-based pricing to strengthen your margins

• What it means to be funding-ready—from story to spreadsheets

About the Guest

Moataz Mukhaimer is a seasoned strategic and financial advisor with 20+ years of experience supporting SMEs across the MENA region. Based in Jordan, he has worked with a wide range of clients—from family businesses to international brands—across sectors like retail, medtech, edtech, e-commerce, manufacturing, and software. Moataz specializes in strategy, pricing, financial modeling, and business valuation, helping founders make smarter decisions and build fundable companies.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/moataz-mukhaimer/

https://moatazmukhaimeradvisory.com

Episode Highlights

⏱️ 03:00 – The top 3 blind spots Moataz sees in startups

⏱️ 08:30 – Why founders avoid financial modeling (and how to simplify it)

⏱️ 14:45 – Burn rate, cash flow, and pricing as strategic tools

⏱️ 23:10 – Strategy vs. operations: defining the big picture

⏱️ 29:30 – The founder mindset: ego, FOMO, and resilience

⏱️ 36:00 – How to know you’re ready to raise funding

⏱️ 45:00 – Financial due diligence: what investors actually look at

⏱️ 52:30 – The rise of the MENA ecosystem and what still needs work