"Always Be Exiting": Rabih Khoury on Engineering Serendipity in Venture Capital

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a successful career across continents, pivot industries like a pro, and help shape one of the Middle East’s most influential venture capital firms—this episode of The Perfect Pitch Podcast is a must-listen.

Lucidity Insights' very own Erika Masako Welch sat down with Rabih Khoury, Managing Partner and Chief Exit Officer at Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), for a candid conversation that’s equal parts masterclass and memoir.

From UC Berkeley to MEVP: Rabih’s Wild Ride

Nicknamed the “VC Yoda,” Rabih’s journey is anything but typical. Born in Kuwait, raised in Lebanon, and educated in the U.S., Rabih kicked off his career working as an engineer on cutting-edge U.S. Department of Defense projects before hitting pause to pursue an MBA at Columbia “to have fun and stay relevant.” (Honestly, mood.)

After nearly a decade scaling the ranks in consulting and private equity, he made a full-circle return to the Middle East—bringing his Private Equity savvy with him. Today, he’s helping regional startups scale and score their exits at MEVP, one of MENA’s most active VC funds.

Podcast Highlights You Don’t Want to Miss:

So what makes the perfect pitch?

According to Rabih, it’s not just about bold vision—it’s about clarity. Founders need to communicate their mission so effectively that VCs can mirror it back.

“Once we share the entrepreneur’s vision, we understand the company, value him correctly, and support him properly.”

Translation: If investors don’t get it, they won’t back it.

How MEVP invests in MENA

Unlike Silicon Valley’s well-documented “spray and pray” approach, Rabih breaks down why MENA’s VC scene demands a more measured playbook. “Here, you can’t afford to lose 9 out of 10 bets and pray one unicorn bails you out,” he says. MEVP diversifies across early and growth stages, holds investments longer, and stays laser-focused on realistic exits.

Bonus: MEVP’s use of LPACs (Limited Partner Advisory Committees) shows just how collaborative and intentional their decision-making process is—especially when stepping outside their core thesis.

Why you should always start with the end in mind

Rabih drops this truth bomb: “Buying into a startup is easy—it’s the exit that’s hard.” That’s why MEVP has a dedicated exit team, focused solely on helping portfolio companies find the right buyers, IPO opportunities, or M&A strategies.

Founders, take note: If you’re not planning your exit, you’re not really planning at all.

 

As someone who also graduated from AUB in engineering and is now exploring the startup world, hearing Rabih’s story felt like a personal permission slip to pivot, experiment, and stay open to the unexpected. If you’re navigating career twists, launching your first startup, or just curious about how real VC works behind the scenes—this episode is gold.

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