A Billion Dirham Startup in the Desert 🌱 | Sandpit Startups | Ep32 | Robert Kupstas

Join us for an engaging conversation with Robert Kupstas, co-founder of Pure Harvest Smart Farms, one of the Middle East’s pioneering agritech startups having raised $300M and is redefining sustainable food production.

Robert breaks down the realities of scaling asset-heavy ventures, offering rare insights into fundraising, building in emerging markets, and navigating investor expectations in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. We also explore the MENA startup landscape, the region’s shift beyond oil-driven economies, and what it takes to create long-term value in capital-intensive sectors.

He also shares candid reflections on founder resilience, decision-making under pressure, and how entrepreneurs can strike a balance between ambition and execution in high-growth environments.