Apr 27, 1:00 – 3:00 PM (UTC)
Omantel /عمانتل, Ghala Street, Muscat, 133
For many founders, building a strong business locally is only part of the challenge. The bigger question is: what makes ...
For many founders, building a strong business locally is only part of the challenge. The bigger question is: what makes a startup relevant, investable, and scalable beyond its home market?
In this session, we’ll sit down with Vinnie Lauria, a two-time Silicon Valley entrepreneur turned venture capitalist and Founding Partner of Golden Gate Ventures, to discuss what investors look for in startups that have the potential to grow across borders.
From founder strengths and market timing to regional expansion and investor expectations, this conversation will offer practical insight for founders, operators, and ecosystem builders who want to better understand how startups move from local traction to broader regional or global relevance.
Expect an honest and wide-ranging discussion covering:
what makes a startup attractive beyond its home market
how investors assess cross-border potential
common mistakes founders make when scaling into new markets
lessons from startup ecosystems across Silicon Valley, Asia, and MENA
what ambitious founders in the region should be thinking about now
Whether you are fundraising, preparing to scale, or simply trying to build with a bigger vision in mind, this session will give you a sharper perspective on what it takes.
Vinnie Lauria
Founding Partner, Golden Gate Ventures
Vinnie Lauria is a two-time Silicon Valley entrepreneur turned venture capitalist. He is a Founding Partner of Golden Gate Ventures, an international venture capital firm investing in high-growth markets, with strong regional connectivity across Asia and the Middle East.
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Singapore, Golden Gate Ventures has backed more than 100 companies across Asia and the Middle East. Vinnie has served on more than a dozen startup boards, including unicorns such as Carro and Carousell. He was also an early investor in Stripe and AngelList, and helped take startups like Lomotif public on the NASDAQ.
He is also the co-author of the forthcoming book Mind the Gap: Scaling Businesses Across Cultures.
Date: Monday, April 27
Time: 5:00 PM
Venue: Omantel Innovation Labs
City: Muscat, Oman
Seats are limited, so be sure to RSVP early. We look forward to welcoming you for an insightful evening on building startups that can scale beyond borders.
Monday, April 27, 2026
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (UTC)
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