Why Western Pitch Deck Doesn’t Work for MENA Startups

When Leila, a founder based in Cairo, walked into a room of regional angel investors with her crisp, Silicon Valley-style pitch deck, she expected nods of approval.

After all, she had rehearsed using YC templates, highlighted her Total Addressable Market (TAM), and peppered her slides with jargon like “CAC” and “LTV.” But halfway through, a seasoned investor interrupted: “Where’s your family stake? Who are your regional partners?”