Viaka NYC Mixer and Fireside Chat with Omar Darwazeh, and Rana Al-Hallaq

Viaka is back in New York.
Join us for an evening of thoughtful conversation and connection, hosted at EY.
We’re bringing together founders, investors, and operators for a candid discussion on what it takes to build and invest in enduring companies across markets.
At the center of the evening is a fireside chat with Omar Darwazeh, Managing Director and General Partner at AAF Management Ltd. and Rana Al-Hallaq, PhD, Partner and Head of Operations at Pfizer Ventures and Vice President, Worldwide Business Development.
The conversation will be moderated by Arda Ural, PhD.
We’ll explore the realities of early-stage investing, portfolio construction, and what separates top-performing funds and companies from the rest.
In this conversation, we’ll go deeper into:
How investors think about building top-decile portfolios
What patterns emerge across the best-performing companies
How capital is being allocated across markets today
What founders often underestimate when building globally
How emerging managers differentiate and win
This will be a candid and practical discussion grounded in real experience, designed for both founders and investors navigating today’s market.
Stick around after the conversation for the Viaka Mixer to connect with fellow founders, investors, and operators.
Our Host
A special thank you to EY for hosting us.
Our Community Partner
The Talal and Madiha Zein AUB Innovation Park (Zein AUB iPark) is the startup incubator and accelerator of the American University of Beirut.
Located at Beirut Digital District, iPark sits at the heart of Lebanon’s startup ecosystem and is powered by AUB’s leading research community. It inspires, enables, and connects entrepreneurs through tailored programs, hands on mentorship, and access to funding and investors.
With a strong global outlook, iPark also connects startups to opportunities across the Middle East, Europe, the United States, Canada, and Africa, helping them scale beyond borders.

Viaka is a global platform that scouts, invests in, and supports the growth of exceptional MENA and diaspora founders, while convening a trusted community of founders, investors, and operators across North America, Europe, and the MENA region.

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