Can venture capital fuel impact beyond profit?In this episode of Impact Talk, Nadine Zidani sits down with Nader AlBastaki — Managing Director of Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) — to explore how a government-backed VC is reshaping the region’s innovation ecosystem.From startup founder to corporate banker to public sector strategist, Nader’s journey is anything but linear. Today, he leads DFDF, a unique evergreen fund that blends public and private capital to power high-growth ventures aligned with Dubai’s long-term economic, technological, and social agenda.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What makes DFDF different from traditional VC funds
• How DFDF bridges the gap between government policy and venture innovation
• The role of patient capital and blended financing in impact innovation
• How success is measured beyond unicorn status
• Nader’s advice for impact-driven entrepreneurs

About Our Guest:

Nader AlBastaki is the Managing Director of Dubai Future District Fund. With a career spanning entrepreneurship, corporate finance, and government strategy, he brings a rare blend of experience to the venture capital world. At DFDF, Nader champions an ecosystem approach to investing — where economic returns, social outcomes, and policy alignment go hand-in-hand to build a resilient and thriving innovation landscape in the UAE and beyond.

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What if farming could heal the planet — and ourselves? In this episode of Impact Talk, Nadine Zidani sits down with Mohammed Aissaoui, founder of My Farm Dubai, to explore how one small farm in the desert is transforming the future of food, sustainability, and community. From regenerative agriculture and zero-waste farming to teaching school children and empowering urban growers, Mohammed shares the inspiring story behind building My Farm Dubai — an ecosystem rooted in circularity, education, and deep respect for nature.

What started as a personal passion has grown into a movement, showing that sustainable farming in the desert isn’t just possible — it’s necessary.

This episode is a must-watch for anyone passionate about climate resilience, food security, and reconnecting with nature in the modern world.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What it takes to build a zero-waste farm in the Dubai desert
• The permaculture principles behind My Farm Dubai
• Why community and education are essential for sustainable impact
• The real health benefits of reconnecting with nature
• How small-scale urban farming can scale for national food security
• Lessons in entrepreneurship, efficiency, and staying grounded
  About Our Guest:

Mohamed Aissaoui is the Founder and CEO of My Farm Dubai, and a fifth-generation farmer with a background in engineering. He blends low-tech and new-tech approaches to optimize organic food production while preserving the ecosystem. At My Farm, Mohamed champions circular farming systems as a pathway to food security in the UAE. His farm prioritizes quality, giving time for plants, fruits, and vegetables to grow naturally in forest soil—without disturbing the environment.

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In this powerful conversation, Nadine Zidani sits down with Ragy Ramadan, founder of NoorNation — a bold clean energy startup from Egypt on a mission to bring solar power and safe water to underserved communities across Africa. From quitting his full-time job to facing project cancellation just 45 days later, Ragy opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of building a climate tech startup.

He shares how resilience became a core value at NoorNation, and why real impact requires more than passion — it demands persistence, sacrifice, and truth. We dive into the challenges of being a founder, the pressure of delivering payrolls, and the illusion of fast success in the world of social entrepreneurship. This episode is a raw, honest look at what it takes to bounce back — and keep going.

In This Episode, You’ll Gain Insights On:

• How NoorNation is transforming access to clean energy in remote rural areas.
• Ragy’s personal journey from corporate life to full-time purpose.
• The funding journey — and why choosing the right investors matters.
• Why innovation should come from within the region.
• The emotional and financial toll of building a startup.
• Advice for aspiring climate and impact entrepreneurs.

About Our Guest:

Ragy Ramadan is the founder of NoorNation, a clean energy venture aiming to empower 1 million people by 2028 through sustainable power and water solutions. With over 12 years of experience, he has trained 600+ professionals across the MENA region and is committed to impact-driven innovation.

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