This is a summary review of Startup Rising containing key details about the book.

What is Startup Rising About?

Startup Rising by Christopher M. Schroeder sheds light on the burgeoning startup culture in the Middle East and North Africa. (Full Summary…)

Startup Rising Summary Review

“Startup Rising: The Entrepreneurial Revolution Remaking the Middle East” by Christopher M. Schroeder provides a compelling and enlightening exploration into the burgeoning world of entrepreneurship in the Middle East. Schroeder, a seasoned angel investor with a focus on emerging markets, offers a unique perspective on the entrepreneurial revolution that has been quietly reshaping the economic landscape of the region.

The book begins by addressing the global enthusiasm surrounding the Arab Spring and the subsequent disappointment with the limited political changes in the Middle East. Despite ongoing challenges, Schroeder identifies a quieter and perhaps more impactful revolution taking place – the rise of entrepreneurship.

In his quest to understand the potential of investing in the Arab world, Schroeder travels extensively across various cities, including Dubai, Cairo, Amman, Beirut, Istanbul, and even Damascus. What he discovers are thousands of talented and determined entrepreneurs who, despite facing cultural, legal, and societal obstacles, are driving significant changes in their respective industries.

One of the book’s strengths lies in Schroeder’s ability to blend personal observations with the experiences of major private equity firms, venture capitalists, and technology giants like Google, Intel, Cisco, Yahoo, LinkedIn, and PayPal. These companies are making substantial investments in the region, underscoring the untapped potential and growing opportunities for Western investment.

The narrative is structured around the three archetypes of entrepreneurs in emerging markets: Practical Improvisers, Problem Solvers, and Global Players. Schroeder skillfully weaves together inspiring stories of innovation and resilience, showcasing the diverse talents of the rising generation in the Middle East.

The book’s insights challenge stereotypes and provide a counter-narrative to the prevailing Western perceptions of the region. Schroeder sheds light on new patterns and transformations enabled by technology, especially mobile internet technologies, and the ambitious initiatives of the younger generation. These patterns, he argues, are shaping the Middle East into a center of innovation and progress.

Schroeder also addresses the interconnectedness of the global startup ecosystem, emphasizing that the challenges and successes in the Middle East are relevant to entrepreneurs worldwide. The author’s storytelling style engages readers, offering a nuanced and optimistic perspective on the future of the region.

“Startup Rising” serves not only as a reflection on the Middle East’s entrepreneurial evolution but also as an inspirational narrative for entrepreneurs globally. Schroeder’s keen observations, coupled with compelling real-world examples, make this book a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and economic development in emerging markets.

In Startup Rising, the author marries his own observations with the predictions of these tech giants to offer a surprising and timely look at the second stealth revolution in the Middle East-one that promises to reinvent it as a center of innovation and progress.

Who is the author of Startup Rising?

Christopher M. Schroeder is a bestselling author. He is an American entrepreneur, advisor and investor in interactive technologies and social communications.

How long is Startup Rising?

• Print length: 256 pages

What genre is Startup Rising?

Entrepreneurship, Nonfiction, Business

What are good quotes from Startup Rising?

“In all the focus on political instability in the region, less examined is that many countries have adopted restrictive internet access and privacy laws. This includes business-friendly Dubai and lean-forward tech center Jordan. Often described as necessary steps in areas like press-and-publications law in order to protect libel concerns, these restrictions are usually vaguely worded and subject to wide and opportunistic interpretation. On the ground, entrepreneurs and investors alike view these as moves that risk chilling business development in their promising ecosystems. Jordan’s”

“The internet today is not merely a mode of communication but the defining platform by which businesses innovate and transact around the world. How can governments restrict this platform when its very success is based on transparency, openness, and access?”

“If this book has shown anything, it is that becoming a force in technological innovation or disruption far beyond Silicon Valley has never been easier than it is today—but unimpeded access to the internet is essential. New entrepreneurs worldwide are creating ways to collaborate and solve local, regional, and even global problems. And governments should note that while these innovators are passionate about their homes and culture, they have also never been more mobile. If pushed, they can seek out other countries that embrace their talent. In addition to losing their best and brightest, emerging nations will have trouble competing if their legal environments squelch innovation.”