Viaka DC Chapter Launch | Curated Conversations & Networking

About this event

Join us for the launch of Viaka’s Washington, DC Chapter, hosted at Accenture and in partnership with AMENA Strategies. The evening will bring together DC’s community of professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders for engaging conversations on the transformation taking place across MENA and the growing role of MENA talent and entrepreneurs in the U.S. We’ll hear from those actively investing and building about the shifts they are seeing firsthand, from the evolution of venture capital and the rapid adoption of AI across MENA to the opportunities and challenges diaspora founders face as they build and scale companies in the U.S. Inside MENA: Capital, AI & the Next Wave of GrowthA fireside conversation with Amjad Ahmad, Managing Partner at 500 Global, exploring the transformation underway across MENA, from capital and venture investing to AI, innovation, and the region’s growing connections with the U.S. Building in America: The Diaspora Founder JourneyA candid conversation with MENA diaspora founders building and scaling companies in the U.S., sharing their experiences accessing capital and customers, building networks, navigating the U.S. ecosystem, and leveraging their cross-border connections. The conversations will be followed by a networking reception. We look forward to welcoming you as we launch Viaka DC! Featured Speakers Amjad Ahmad, Managing Partner, 500 Global Reem Goussous, Co-Founder, Viaka Merissa Khurma, Founder & CEO, AMENA Strategies Mohab Murrar, President & Chief Executive, NextgenID Marc Ayoub, Co-Founder, Saile Medical Saif AlJaibeji, GP, Urth Capital More to be confirmed. Agenda 5:30 PM – Registration & Networking 6:15 PM – Welcome Note 6:30 PM – Inside MENA: Capital, AI & the Next Wave of Growth 7:00 PM – Building in America Panel: The Diaspora Founder Journey 7:30 PM – Networking Reception Light food and refreshments will be served. About Viaka Viaka is a global platform connecting founders, investors, operators, and professionals across North America, MENA, and Europe. Through our city chapters, events, angel network, and flagship conference, MENA Rising, we create opportunities for meaningful connections, knowledge sharing, and cross-border collaboration. We look forward to welcoming you as we launch our DC chapter and grow a vibrant community of professionals passionate about innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. About AMENA Strategies A DC based consulting firm that focuses on translating complexity into connections that matter between America and the MENA region. It aims to bring analysis, strategic communications, strategy building and thought leadership to companies, think tanks and government entities in both directions. The name, AMENA, is inspired by the founder’s extensive experience connecting America to the MENA region through her rich experience in foreign policy, strategy building and thought leadership. In a region that is expanding access to technology and accelerating investments in AI, AMENA Strategies experts provide insights into the digital landscape across the region, create a narrative of partnership and growth between America and MENA and build platforms for powerful connections and mutually beneficial growth.