Building startups beyond the usual VC cities is now a reality. Discover how founders scale globally, leverage talent, and compete from emerging markets.
Builders Tribe returns with a new Tech Forward Talk, exploring how founders are building and scaling startups beyond traditional VC hubs, leveraging global talent and competing internationally.
Scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, the upcoming session, “Building Startups Beyond the Usual VC Cities,” addresses one of the most significant shifts in today’s startup ecosystem: the decentralisation of innovation and capital.
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This direction builds on the momentum from the last edition, where the focus was on practical AI adoption. Instead of chasing trends, the conversation challenged founders to think critically about how to apply AI where it actually drives value—highlighting a consistent theme across Builders Tribe sessions: execution beats hype.
Now, the spotlight shifts to geography—and why it matters less than ever.
Leading the conversation is Kris Jones, Co-founder of Magic Sauce Online, whose experience spans working with founders across multiple markets. His perspective is clear: startups don’t need to be in Silicon Valley to scale, but they do need the right strategy. From leveraging global talent to positioning for international markets, the session will break down what it really takes to compete beyond local ecosystems.
Hosted by Ajiri Omafokpe, Co-founder of Builders Tribe and Venture Capital Investor, the session will also unpack what investors are paying attention to as more high-potential startups emerge from non-traditional hubs.
For founders building in emerging markets, this isn’t just another startup talk—it’s a reality check. The barriers to building globally have dropped, but so has the margin for weak positioning. Startups that succeed today are those that think globally from the outset, regardless of their location.
The session will be streamed live on YouTube and is open to builders across product, engineering, and growth who are serious about scaling beyond their immediate environment.
In an increasingly borderless startup landscape, Builders Tribe is making one thing clear: location is no longer the constraint—strategy is.
Why This Matters for MENA and Emerging Market Startups
For founders across MENA and other emerging markets, building startups beyond traditional VC cities is no longer optional; it’s becoming the default path.
Access to capital remains uneven, and many high-potential startups are still operating outside global investment hotspots. But at the same time, the barriers to building globally have significantly reduced. Remote work, distributed teams, and access to international markets mean founders can now compete at a global level without relocating.
This shift creates both an opportunity and a challenge. Startups in the region must think beyond local validation and build with global scalability in mind from day one. That includes hiring across borders, positioning products for international users, and aligning with what global investors are looking for.
As more success stories emerge from outside traditional ecosystems, sessions like this highlight a clear trend: the next generation of global startups will not be defined by location, but by strategy and execution.
To join the conversation, register via the link: https://luma.com/jkli9hqb
Builders Tribe is a global community empowering founders and tech innovators. Through talks, mentorship, and networking, the community helps startups grow smarter and faster.
Don’t miss this chance to gain insights that could shape your startup’s future. For updates and reminders, follow @builderstribehq on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
