AI Entrepreneurs: Do these 3 things

AI Entrepreneurs: Do these 3 things

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“The ability to pivot, learn quickly, and embrace change is far more valuable than always adhering to a plan. Throughout the years, I’ve tried to be open to different experiences and opportunities for growth and innovation.”

Laurie Fuller (Google for Startups Mentor; Venture Partner, Raiven Capital) is a dedicated supporter of startups, entrepreneurs, and startup ecosystems. With experience working around the world, including North America, Europe, Asia and Africa, she brings a global perspective to her mentorship and investment strategy – and has a talent for building partnerships that transform businesses. 

We asked what lies behind her passion for guiding entrepreneurs and startups towards achieving their goals, and why DeepFest is a valuable resource for both startups and investors. 

Read on to find out what Laurie told us. And connect with her on LinkedIn to grow your understanding of the elements that add up to startup success. 

On a personal level, why are you passionate about helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses?

“I’m passionate about helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses because entrepreneurship is a powerful force for change and innovation. It allows people to turn their ideas into reality, create solutions to pressing challenges, and make a positive impact on society. 

“For me, it’s inspiring to see someone take a bold leap, often against the odds, and grow something that not only fulfils their vision but also creates jobs, drives economic growth, and potentially addresses critical issues like climate change or social inequality. 

“I find it fulfilling to support that journey, offering guidance, feedback, and resources that can help them succeed. It’s about being part of something larger – helping individuals grow, create value, and ultimately, shape the future.”

Could you share three pieces of advice you'd give to entrepreneurs in the AI sector right now?

  1. Focus on solving real-world problems.“AI is a powerful tool, but its value comes from solving meaningful, tangible challenges.  Whether you’re targeting industries like healthcare, climate tech, or logistics, ensure that your AI application addresses a clear, impactful problem. This helps you stand out in an increasingly crowded space and builds a business that’s both sustainable and valuable.”
  2. Prioritise ethical AI and transparency.“As AI continues to shape industries, concerns around bias, transparency, and ethical use are growing. Build AI systems that are explainable, fair, and responsible. Investors, consumers, and regulators are increasingly focused on this, and companies that fail to address these concerns could face reputational and legal challenges.
  3. Balance innovation with scalability.“It’s easy to get caught up in cutting-edge research, but successful AI startups know how to scale their solutions. Focus on creating AI products that can be implemented at scale and generate consistent, reliable results. Additionally, ensure you have the right infrastructure and data pipelines in place to handle growth efficiently.”

What are some of the key barriers to growth for AI startups in the current global market?

“AI thrives on large volumes of high-quality data, but many startups struggle to access the necessary datasets, especially in regulated industries like healthcare or finance. Additionally, the cost and complexity of cleaning and labelling data to make it usable can be a major hurdle for early-stage companies.

“And as AI adoption grows, so does regulatory scrutiny. There’s still a lack of clear, consistent global regulations around AI, particularly in areas like data privacy, security, and ethical use. This uncertainty makes it hard for startups to navigate compliance, particularly if they’re operating across borders. Adapting to new regulations while staying competitive is important.

“AI solutions can also require notable computational resources. For startups, understanding the investment to build and maintain the necessary infrastructure should be generally understood at the ideation stage. Be smart about where you focus in the AI space. Developing at the application layer should be less expensive than fine tuning a model and certainly less expensive than training a model.

“Overcoming potential barriers to growth requires strategic partnerships, careful planning, and a focus on building flexible, scalable solutions that can grow alongside market, regulator and technology changes.”

And which regional markets do you think offer particularly strong potential for AI startups to thrive?

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are emerging as strong hubs for AI innovation and investment, driven by ambitious government initiatives and rapid digital transformation.

“In Saudi Arabia, the country’s Vision 2030 plan emphasises the role of AI and advanced technology in diversifying its economy beyond oil. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) is actively working to position the Kingdom as a leader in AI by 2030.

“In the UAE, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have positioned themselves as tech hubs. The UAE launched its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, aiming to become a global leader in AI by focusing on key sectors like transportation, logistics, finance, and government services.

“And the Gulf’s strategic geographic location between Asia, Europe, and Africa makes it an attractive base for AI companies aiming to serve multiple markets. 

“In summary, the combination of wealth, ambition, and strategic government initiatives create a fertile ground for AI-driven innovation across multiple industries.”

If you could go back to the beginning of your career and tell yourself one thing you wish you'd known then, what would it be?

“If I could go back to the beginning of my career, I would tell myself to fully embrace adaptability. Early on, having a clear, linear career path was essential, but the reality is that industries evolve, technologies change, and opportunities can come from unexpected places. 

“The ability to pivot, learn quickly, and embrace change is far more valuable than always adhering to a plan. Throughout the years, I’ve tried to be open to different experiences and opportunities for growth and innovation.”

And finally, why are events like DeepFest valuable for entrepreneurs, startups, and investors?

“DeepFest brings together a global ecosystem of AI thought-leaders, innovators, and industry professionals. For entrepreneurs and startups, this creates opportunities to connect with potential partners, clients, and investors who are at the forefront of AI innovation. These connections can accelerate growth, open up new markets, and spark collaborations that might not happen otherwise.

“Entrepreneurs and startups gain insight into where the industry is headed, helping them stay ahead of the curve and align their strategies with emerging trends. Investors, in turn, can identify high-potential startups and sectors poised for rapid growth.

“The event’s startup pitches and exhibition space provide a unique opportunity for startups to showcase their innovations to a broad audience, including top AI companies, investors, and potential customers. For early-stage companies, this kind of exposure can be critical in gaining visibility, attracting investment, and validating their business model or technology.” 


Thanks to Laurie Fuller at Raiven Capital. Pregister now to attend DeepFest 2025 and learn from the world’s leading AI thinkers.