From Headlines to Impact: How Startups Can Master PR & Media

​About the event

​In today’s noisy world, building a great product isn’t enough — you need people to know about it, talk about it, and believe in it. That’s where smart PR comes in.

​Join this hands-on session led by Tarek Fouad, Partner and Chief Marketing Officer at Shorooq — one of the region’s most active early-stage investors — to learn how founders can leverage media to drive momentum, attract capital, and build lasting credibility.

​Tarek will break down what founders get wrong about PR, how to avoid costly mistakes, and how to build a strategy that makes every media moment matter.

​Takeaways

​Learn how to turn your startup story into strategic visibility — and avoid the #1 trap most founders fall into: chasing press without purpose.

​Speaker Bio

​Tarek Fouad is a Partner and the Chief Marketing Officer at Shorooq, one of the MENA region’s most prominent alternative investment firms. He leads brand, media, and communications strategy across the firm’s portfolio — including companies like Pure Harvest, Tamara, Lean Technologies, Sarwa, and NymCard. Tarek has supported over 50+ founders in shaping compelling narratives, securing global media coverage, and navigating crisis comms with clarity. Prior to joining Shorooq, he built his career at the intersection of brand, product, and business building — and now brings a practical, no-fluff lens to how PR can fuel scale.