James Poole is CEO and Founder of Seven Fronds and is responsible for bringing world-class retail and F&B brands like On Running and Gitano to the UAE. He is also part of the My Friends Your Friends community, so Raj and Vik invited him on to ALGO to learn more about what's enticing huge brands to set up in the Middle East. We also cover what gives these brands the best chance of survival in 2024. Highlights from our chat with James Poole: (00:00) Intro (00:54) What is James Poole’s Background? (07:31) Where is James Poole Now in 2024? (10:02) How does James Poole Prepare a Brand to Speak ..read more

In this episode of ALGO, we have Vik joining us as we dive into the world of AI. From its potential to preserve digital legacies to its impact on company profits, we explore the multifaceted aspects of AI. Plus, learn how to integrate AI into your business and life starting today. Stay tuned for all this and more, including updates on My Friends Your Friends 20. Highlights: (00:00) Intro (02:46) Where is AI Today & How Should You Think About it? (14:12) AI could keep people in your business even after they die. (20:10) Will AI Affect Company’s Bottom Line? (31:36) What Do People Want to Kn ..read more

In this episode of ALGO, we have Vik joining us as we dive into a packed agenda, covering everything announcing the My Friends Your Friends 20 Cohosts, to New Year's Eve parties with the best DJs in Dubai, as well as Ed Sheeran's record-breaking ticket sales show in Dubai. We also discuss the latest TikTok and Universal contract drama, and we can't forget that Apple will start allowing third-party apps onto only the EU app store. Highlights: (00:00) Intro (00:47) MFYF Co-Host list (17:22) Vik’s 2023 NYE House Party (19:07) Raj’s 2023 NYE Plans took a complete 180° turn (21:29) NYE DJ's at Monk ..read more

This special episode of ALGO features Raj answering questions that were used to write the following article for Visionary Magazine. https://www.visionary-mag.com/post/renaissance-man-raj-kotecha-talks-his-come-up-tech-hip-hop-crazy-encounters-with-fat-joe-and-more Raj dives into the early days of his first job to the essential life lessons learned from family, exploring the balance of business studies and event promotion. You’ll get to hear the behind-the-scenes story of Raj meeting hip-hop icons DJ Khaled and Fat Joe. Raj also talks about the intersection of hip-hop and tech and the state of ..read more

On today’s episode of ALGO Vik, Alex and I discuss Kanye West and everything that’s been going on in his world, Drake losing $800k betting on a football game. We also talk about Giggs speaking on brand deals with new and upcoming artists as well as James Corden getting banned from a New York restaurant. Chapter highlights include: (00:00) Intro  (04:05) Out & About in Dubai  (15:13) Everything Kanye West  (38:46) Giggs Blasts Brands on Instagram  (49:16) Drake Loses $800K on Barcelona Match  (52:52) James Corden Banned From NYC Restaurant   (59:54) Creed 3 T ..read more

Packed episode with just Raj and Vik recorded the day after My Friends Your Friends at Jun's in Dubai. (00:00) Intro (02:00) My Friends Your Friends Recap (03:11) Cohost shout outs (06:20) Vik on scaling MFYF (12:18) Team shout outs (13:15) Food at Jun’s (16:28) World Cup Unexpected Wins (19:15) Watch Matches in 2 mins (20:30) Former Disney CEO Returns (31:05) Tom Ford sells $2.8bn (37:40) Louis Vuitton Hotel Paris (44:30) Diddy Launches Ciroc Yak (48:48) Hidden Hip Hip Unicorns? (52:06) Zomato Quits Delivery (58:28) Rishi Sunak meets Volodymyr Zelenskyy (01:03:10) FTX crash via Coinbase CEO ..read more

Huge show - just Vik and I this week. We consumed a lot of content and hit some cool spots in Dubai. RIP Takeoff.  (00:00) No Alex (02:16) Migos Member Takeoff Killed in Houston 25:30 Elon's Friends Join Twitter 33:55 What if Elon saves Twitter? 38:55 Twitter Brand Extention - Maps? 43:33 Twitter Wallet 47:10 Elon is good at consumer 54:50 Matt Hancock on I'm A Celebrity 1:05:25 James Cordon Uses a Ricky Gervais Joke 01:12:00 Marc Andreesen on Aarthi & Sriram Good Times 01:16:10 Chamath Palihapathia on Fixed Income in 15 Podcast 01:17:25 MKBHD on Flagrant with Andrew Schulz 01:21:00 ..read more

In this episode I answer questions submitted on Instagram during my vacation in Bali.   (01:26) How to create a community (04:46) Meeting for a cigar (05:55) How Raj developed his taste in music (10:25) How is Raj so Sexy (lol)  (10:53) Red Pill vs Blue Pill (UK Politics)  (12:02) Raising money as a creator vs a business  (14:55) Biggest changes Raj has seen in Dubai This show is also on Spotify, Apple Podcast, YouTube or anywhere you hear podcasts - for links visit http://www.rajkotecha.com/podcast  Connect with Raj http://www.instagram.com/rajkotecha ..read more

On today’s episode of ALGO Vik, Alex and I discuss Jay-Z’s brand new investment, MoneyKicks getting attacked during his visit to London, and the 15% drop in MBA applicants. We also discuss what Vik and I have been busy doing in Dubai and what Alex has been up to in Amsterdam.   Chapter highlights include:   (00:00) Intro  (02:17) New News Reporter   (06:00) Out & About in Amsterdam  (10:24) Vik’s Son Wild Cinema Party  (16:52) Xclusive Yachts Boat Cruise  (21:12) Secret Parties Brunch At The Taj  (26:13) Terrible Time at Nammos  (34:17) Mixed F ..read more

On today’s episode of ALGO Vik, Alex, and I discuss my crazy 48 hours in Manchester as well as my quick visit to Leicester and my past few days in London. We also discuss Andreessen Horowtiz’s $4.5 billion Web3 fund, Instagram’s new layout, and the EU exposing algorithms. Chapter highlights include: 00:00 Intro  5:16 48 hours in Manchester  6:11 Visiting Old Trafford   8:00 Russell Peters Performs at the Manchester Apollo  9:26 DJ Starting From Scratch Dance Hall Jam  14:30 A Night Out With Alingon Mitra  15:22 48 Hours in Manchester  30:00 Short Trip to Lei ..read more