The Brutal Truth About Raising Money (From a Man Who Raised $1.5B)

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He raised $1.5 billion, without following the rules.

Oussama Ammar built a billion-euro empire, rewrote the rules of fundraising, and is now using AI to take over animation. From Y Combinator-style accelerators to storytelling your way to investment, this episode is a masterclass in how to win big in 2025, even if you feel like an underdog.

In this episode:

How Oussama raised $1.5B without a single pitch deck.
The brutal truth about venture capital (and why most founders get it wrong).
Why personal brand beats business plans every time.
How to tell a story investors can’t say no to.
What AI means for creators, founders, and the future of IP.

If you’re building a business, stuck between startup ideas, or can’t get traction with investors, this is the mindset shift you need.

Join the Capital Catalyst Waitlist for no-BS funding guidance: https://oxa3iqyfbbf.typeform.com/Capital

Timestamps:
0:00 – Who is Oussama? The man who raised $1.5B
2:25 – From Paris to pitch decks: His real origin story
7:55 – How he built a billion-euro empire without following the rules
14:52 – The ugly truth about VCs: 1,000 bets, 1 jackpot
18:43 – Valuations are fiction: The Adam Neumann warning
26:00 – Why personal brand beats pitch decks in 2025
31:30 – Leaving Europe: Reinventing himself in AI & Dubai
38:49 – Will AI steal actors’ jobs? The legal minefield ahead
42:32 – What’s next: Oussama’s legacy, AI’s future & the meaning of it all

Connect with Matt Haycox, No BS Business Podcast Host & 8-Figure Entrepreneur.

I’m Matt Haycox, entrepreneur, investor, and your straight-talking guide to building a business that actually works. I’ve raised over £750M, built (and rebuilt) 8-figure companies, and learned the hard way what it really takes to win.

On No Bollocks with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bollocks to bring you raw conversations with 7–8 figure founders, investors, and experts who’ve been there, done it, and got the scars to prove it. No hype, no theory, just actionable strategies you can use today to start, grow, and scale your business.

Whether you’re stuck in your 9–5, building your side hustle, or trying to hit your first £100k month, this is your go-to podcast for entrepreneur tips, startup growth strategies, raising capital, building a personal brand, and avoiding the costly mistakes most founders make.

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Published on 4 weeks ago

Podcast Episode Details

The Brutal Truth About Raising Money (From a Man Who Raised $1.5B)