Tak on the Pod

#14 - Roots, Risk & Responsibility with Habib Kairouz

TAKREEM AMERICA Season 3 Episode 4

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 43:01

In this episode of Tak on the Pod, host Andrea Makhlouf sits down with Habib Kairouz, Managing Partner at Rho Capital Partners, for a conversation about long-term thinking, conviction, and responsibility.

With over three decades of experience backing founders through cycles of boom and collapse, Habib reflects on building a lasting career in venture capital while staying deeply connected to Lebanon. From his early memories of Beirut to his philosophy of going against the grain, the conversation explores what it means to invest with purpose not just in companies, but in communities.

We dive into the evolution of technology from the internet era to AI, the role of the Lebanese diaspora in rebuilding trust and opportunity, and Habib’s work with the SEAL Foundation to translate success into meaningful impact on the ground.

This episode is about patience, stewardship, and choosing the long view - in business and in life.

Video version also available on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PON9cE8MdTo&list=PL2bJze-gVzTGMT4cRrL6BQdLK7OOtmF7n&index=2

Intro Music:
"Castro in the City" from the album "Madinatuna" by Paul Salem.

Learn more about the Foundation:
takreem.org
takreemamerica.org

Follow Us:

  • Twitter: @takreemorg @takreemamerica
  • Instagram: @takreemorg @takreemamerica
  • Youtube: @takreemfoundation @takreemamerica