MONEY FOR BUSINESS
Loans, Investors & the Traps Founders Should Know. How do you choose the right money to grow your business — borrow it or raise it from investors?
October, 15 | Thursday
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
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About the event
Every growing business needs capital. But where should that money come from — a lender or an investor?
And more importantly: what does that money really cost your business?
Join InvestStream for an evening dedicated to one of the most practical questions for founders and business owners: how to finance growth without making expensive mistakes.
This time, we’ll explore two very different paths to capital.
On the debt side, we’ll look at how business lending works in the UAE, what lenders actually look for, how companies can improve their chances of securing financing, and where the hidden risks are.
On the equity side, we’ll hear a real founder story — from Y Combinator to raising more than $12M from venture investors and building a biotech company through long fundraising cycles.
Two speakers. Two sides of capital. Real experience. Practical insights.
And more importantly: what does that money really cost your business?
Join InvestStream for an evening dedicated to one of the most practical questions for founders and business owners: how to finance growth without making expensive mistakes.
This time, we’ll explore two very different paths to capital.
On the debt side, we’ll look at how business lending works in the UAE, what lenders actually look for, how companies can improve their chances of securing financing, and where the hidden risks are.
On the equity side, we’ll hear a real founder story — from Y Combinator to raising more than $12M from venture investors and building a biotech company through long fundraising cycles.
Two speakers. Two sides of capital. Real experience. Practical insights.
Two speakers.
Two sides of capital.
Guest Arrival, Dinner & Networking (18:00 – 19:00)
Guest arrival, dinner & informal networking
Welcome & Introduction by InvestStream (19:00 – 19:15)
Elena Titovich
InvestStream was founded by Elena Titovich, an entrepreneur and investor with international experience across Russia, the UAE and global business environments.
She personally curates the quality of participants, the event formats and the atmosphere of trust and growth that defines the club.
- Founder of the InvestStream Business Club
- Over 20 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity
- Entrepreneur, private investor, and business angel
- Develops infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi
InvestStream was founded by Elena Titovich, an entrepreneur and investor with international experience across Russia, the UAE and global business environments.
She personally curates the quality of participants, the event formats and the atmosphere of trust and growth that defines the club.
Business Loans: How to Access Capital Without Falling Into the Debt Trap (19:15 – 20:00)
Tamer Bazzari
CEO, Genero Capital | Co-Founder, Trellen Capital
Business Loans: How to Access Capital Without Falling Into the Debt Trap
How can entrepreneurs use debt to grow their businesses without creating unnecessary financial pressure?
Tamer will share a lender’s perspective on how SME financing works in the UAE — what lenders actually look for when evaluating a business, what makes a company financeable, and how entrepreneurs can prepare before seeking capital.
The session will explore different approaches to business lending, the real cost of borrowing, common mistakes business owners make when taking on debt, and the warning signs founders should understand before signing a financing agreement.
Tamer will also explain how modern lenders combine data-driven and AI-supported credit assessment with traditional human credit analysis, and when debt can become a powerful growth tool rather than a burden.
About Tamer Bazzari
Tamer Bazzari is the CEO of Genero Capital, which he founded in 2011, and Co-Founder of Trellen Capital, a DIFC-regulated private credit platform.
He brings extensive experience across investment management, private credit and SME financing, including approximately 8 years of track record in UAE SME lending with around 12% net annual returns.
Previously, Tamer served as Group CEO of Rasmala, overseeing approximately $1.3 billion in assets under management.
Through Trellen, his work focuses on financing established UAE SMEs, including loans of up to AED 3 million with terms of up to two years.
Tamer is a Chartered Accountant and CFA Charterholder.
CEO, Genero Capital | Co-Founder, Trellen Capital
Business Loans: How to Access Capital Without Falling Into the Debt Trap
How can entrepreneurs use debt to grow their businesses without creating unnecessary financial pressure?
Tamer will share a lender’s perspective on how SME financing works in the UAE — what lenders actually look for when evaluating a business, what makes a company financeable, and how entrepreneurs can prepare before seeking capital.
The session will explore different approaches to business lending, the real cost of borrowing, common mistakes business owners make when taking on debt, and the warning signs founders should understand before signing a financing agreement.
Tamer will also explain how modern lenders combine data-driven and AI-supported credit assessment with traditional human credit analysis, and when debt can become a powerful growth tool rather than a burden.
About Tamer Bazzari
Tamer Bazzari is the CEO of Genero Capital, which he founded in 2011, and Co-Founder of Trellen Capital, a DIFC-regulated private credit platform.
He brings extensive experience across investment management, private credit and SME financing, including approximately 8 years of track record in UAE SME lending with around 12% net annual returns.
Previously, Tamer served as Group CEO of Rasmala, overseeing approximately $1.3 billion in assets under management.
Through Trellen, his work focuses on financing established UAE SMEs, including loans of up to AED 3 million with terms of up to two years.
Tamer is a Chartered Accountant and CFA Charterholder.
From Founder to Funded: The Real Journey to Raising $12M+ (20:00 – 20:45)
Dr. Rabia Khan
Founder & CEO, Serna Bio | Y Combinator W21
From Founder to Funded: The Real Journey to Raising $12M+
What does it really take to raise more than $12M for a company — and what happens after the money is in the bank?
Dr. Rabia Khan will share the real fundraising journey behind Serna Bio, from Y Combinator to raising capital from technology and venture investors, including Tencent and 50 Years.
She will discuss how she approached investors, what worked, what failed, and how her fundraising strategy evolved over time.
The session will also explore why biotech requires a very different capital mindset from traditional technology companies — where raising $12M can still be only the beginning.
Rabia will share her experience navigating long fundraising cycles, the mistakes made along the way, the lessons learned, and what she would do differently today.
The aim is to give founders a candid, practical view of fundraising as an ongoing part of company building rather than a one-time event.
About Dr. Rabia Khan
Dr. Rabia Khan is the Founder and CEO of Serna Bio, a Y Combinator-backed biotechnology company developing drugs for neurodegenerative diseases.
She has raised more than $12M to build the company and has secured partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies including Bayer and Chiesi. Before founding Serna Bio, Rabia held senior leadership roles across AI and drug discovery, including at BenevolentAI and Sensyne Health.
She holds a PhD in Human Genetics and an MBA and serves on the Board of Trustees of the UK Dementia Research Institute.
Her work sits at the intersection of science, technology, fundraising and company building.
Founder & CEO, Serna Bio | Y Combinator W21
From Founder to Funded: The Real Journey to Raising $12M+
What does it really take to raise more than $12M for a company — and what happens after the money is in the bank?
Dr. Rabia Khan will share the real fundraising journey behind Serna Bio, from Y Combinator to raising capital from technology and venture investors, including Tencent and 50 Years.
She will discuss how she approached investors, what worked, what failed, and how her fundraising strategy evolved over time.
The session will also explore why biotech requires a very different capital mindset from traditional technology companies — where raising $12M can still be only the beginning.
Rabia will share her experience navigating long fundraising cycles, the mistakes made along the way, the lessons learned, and what she would do differently today.
The aim is to give founders a candid, practical view of fundraising as an ongoing part of company building rather than a one-time event.
About Dr. Rabia Khan
Dr. Rabia Khan is the Founder and CEO of Serna Bio, a Y Combinator-backed biotechnology company developing drugs for neurodegenerative diseases.
She has raised more than $12M to build the company and has secured partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies including Bayer and Chiesi. Before founding Serna Bio, Rabia held senior leadership roles across AI and drug discovery, including at BenevolentAI and Sensyne Health.
She holds a PhD in Human Genetics and an MBA and serves on the Board of Trustees of the UK Dementia Research Institute.
Her work sits at the intersection of science, technology, fundraising and company building.
Open Networking, Introductions & Conversations (20:45 – 22:00)
Informal conversations, questions to speakers, and deeper networking with guests.
Venue
Cabana on The Beach
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
A relaxed beachfront setting for an evening where investment insights meet meaningful business conversations.
View location on Google Maps
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
A relaxed beachfront setting for an evening where investment insights meet meaningful business conversations.
View location on Google Maps
Participation
Participation Fee
AED 150 — Individual Participation
AED 250 — Two Guests (AED 125 per person when registering together)
AED 100 — InvestStream VIP Residents
The participation fee is an organisational fee paid to InvestStream and includes access to the event, both speaker sessions and the networking programme.
Dinner
The event will take place at Cabana on the Beach, Palm Jumeirah, where guests will enjoy dinner alongside the programme and networking.
A minimum spend of AED 150 per person for food and beverages is mandatory and is paid separately, directly to the venue on the evening of the event.
Please note that the dinner minimum spend is not included in the InvestStream participation fee.
AED 150 — Individual Participation
AED 250 — Two Guests (AED 125 per person when registering together)
AED 100 — InvestStream VIP Residents
The participation fee is an organisational fee paid to InvestStream and includes access to the event, both speaker sessions and the networking programme.
Dinner
The event will take place at Cabana on the Beach, Palm Jumeirah, where guests will enjoy dinner alongside the programme and networking.
A minimum spend of AED 150 per person for food and beverages is mandatory and is paid separately, directly to the venue on the evening of the event.
Please note that the dinner minimum spend is not included in the InvestStream participation fee.