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HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
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This special Startup Spotlights episode was filmed live at Expand North Star (ENS) 2025, the world’s largest startup and investor event (October 2025).
In this exclusive conversation, Michael Maylahn — Startup Founder and Investor at Plug and Play UAE — shares the lessons, mindset shifts, and practical frameworks behind building ventures, raising capital, and now backing the next wave of founders in the region.
Together with host and Chief Content Officer of Lucidity Insights, Erika Welch, Michael walks through his entrepreneurial journey, the reality of startup fundraising, and what founders must prove before any investor is willing to write a check. He explains how founders can position themselves so investors come to them, how to validate market demand creatively (even with limited resources), and why the biggest fundraising mistakes are often rooted in unclear storytelling rather than bad ideas.
Michael also breaks down what makes a complex idea “investable,” how Plug and Play evaluates startups, and where he sees the most exciting opportunities across emerging tech, the UAE ecosystem.
A high-signal, founder-focused episode for anyone raising capital, refining their pitch, or navigating today’s fast-moving startup landscape.
Michael Maylahn’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmaylahn/
Plug and Play Investor Profile: https://lucidityinsights.com/investors/plug-and-play-15
"The Perfect Pitch," is a newly launched Podcast Show by Lucidity Insights. Join LucidityInsights.com for an exclusive masterclass series featuring top Venture Capitalists in the Middle East & Africa region. Get all the essential insights to kickstart your fundraising journey. 🚀
[ Watch this episode on video ]
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Chapters
1. Intro & Teaser (00:00:00)
2. Michael’s Entrepreneurial Journey (00:01:10)
3. When to Raise Your First Round (00:03:40)
4. Early Mistakes & Lessons Learned (00:06:04)
5. From Founder to Investor (00:08:45)
6. How to Attract Investor Attention (00:11:02)
7. Smart Ways to Validate Market Need (00:12:50)
8. Common Fundraising Mistakes (00:15:34)
9. Turning Ideas Into Fundable Stories (00:17:34)
10. How Plug and Play UAE Works (00:19:50)
11. Emerging Tech & Sectors to Watch (00:23:07)
12. Inside the UAE Startup Ecosystem (00:25:50)
13. Final Thoughts (00:29:21)
14 episodes
