In today’s hyper-connected world, we’re increasingly turning to automated, AI-powered digital platforms to make connections. Nowadays, matches are suggested by algorithms, in-person pitches are replaced by online portfolios, and entire funding rounds close without holding a single face-to-face meeting. While this technological leap has undeniably revolutionised the way startups and investors find each other, making it easier than ever to connect, the value of human connection remains irreplaceable. When it comes to building trust, understanding cultural nuances, and forming lasting partnerships, technology cannot replace the power of a personal touch.
At Future Story, we prioritise genuine human connections. We don’t just connect startups with investors; we introduce them to a network of experts, partners, and mentors. Our hands-on, personalised approach ensures each interaction is meaningful and leads to real opportunities. With deep expertise in both European and GCC markets, we help startups grow, attract the right investors, and form sustainable partnerships. For us, it’s not just about connecting people, it’s about understanding them.
The Limits of Automation
Digital matchmaking platforms are powerful tools. They aggregate data, match investment theses with startup profiles, and streamline initial interactions. But they can’t read between the lines. A platform may identify a promising startup based on sector and traction, but it won’t sense a founder’s resilience, a team’s chemistry, or the unspoken potential in an early-stage idea. Nor can it anticipate the subtle red flags that an experienced advisor would immediately catch.
Investment is as much about people as it is about numbers. Most seasoned investors will tell you that they don’t just fund companies, they back founders. And founders don’t just look for capital, they seek partners who believe in their vision, understand their challenges, and support their growth beyond the term sheet.
Trust is Built, Not Matched
In the business world, whether in Europe or the GCC, trust plays a central role. Cultural understanding, shared values, and strong reputations often carry more weight than pitch decks or dashboards. That’s where the personal touch becomes critical. A meaningful introduction, one grounded in deep knowledge of both the startup and the investor, lays the foundation for a lasting relationship.
Future Story’s approach blends the efficiency of digital discovery with the depth of human insight. We go beyond databases and funding platforms. We take time to understand each startup’s journey, vision, and challenges. We also work closely with investors to uncover not just what they’re looking for, but why – enabling smarter, more strategic matches.
Guided Engagement, Real Preparation
The personal touch that Future Story offers extends far beyond introductions. For startups, our hands-on preparation process is what makes the difference. We help founders refine their story, tailor their pitch for specific investor mindsets, and build data rooms that anticipate due diligence. For investors, we offer curated opportunities backed by real conversations and first-hand insights, not just polished summaries.
By removing guesswork and adding clarity, we reduce friction on both sides and accelerate meaningful engagement. In regions where relationship-building is key, particularly in the GCC, this kind of thoughtful guidance makes deals more likely to close, and partnerships more likely to endure.
Beyond the Match: Building Community
Startups don’t thrive in isolation, and neither do investors. The best ideas emerge in conversations. That’s why Future Story isn’t just a matchmaking platform, it’s a network of mentors, partners, and changemakers who care about impact. Our events, dialogues, and direct engagements create opportunities for the kind of spontaneous connections that algorithms can’t predict, but often prove most valuable.
We believe that in an increasingly digital world, the most successful platforms are those that humanise the process. Because business is personal. Trust is earned. And real growth comes from real connection.
Future Story
Future Story is a joint venture between AcrossLimits, a Maltese company led by Angele Giuliano, and Grey Matter, an Emirati company represented by Kais Badran. Our mission is to connect European startups with investors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) to fund innovations in sectors such as Deeptech, Healthtech, Foodtech, and Proptech. By tapping into the GCC’s growing reputation as a key investment hub, we help startups expand their reach, enter new markets, and make a global impact.
Future Story as a Network Multiplier
Future Story plays a pivotal role in connecting startups with the right investors, partners, and mentors to accelerate their growth. Co-founders Angele Giuliano and Kais Badran bring a unique blend of expertise, bridging the European and GCC startup ecosystems. Angele, with her extensive experience as an EIC ambassador, provides startups with deep insights into European innovation landscapes, helping them refine their positioning and investment readiness. Kais, leveraging his knowledge of the GCC investment climate, ensures that startups align their business strategies with regional investor expectations.
Beyond matchmaking, Future Story actively prepares startups for investor engagement. Kais works closely with founders to refine their pitch decks, strengthen their storytelling, and tailor their offerings to align with regional market needs. Meanwhile, Angele takes a hands-on approach to due diligence, building in-depth data rooms for investors and rigorously stress-testing the startups’ technology and business models. This ensures they are fully prepared to navigate investor scrutiny and secure the funding needed to scale. By focusing on high-growth sectors in the GCC, Future Story helps startups expand internationally while enabling investors to make informed, high-impact decisions.
Future Story thrives on the power of human connection, offering startups not just access to investors but a deeply integrated network of industry leaders, strategic partners, and mentors. Unlike automated matchmaking platforms, we take a hands-on approach, ensuring that every introduction is meaningful and leads to tangible opportunities. By leveraging our extensive relationships across both the European and GCC ecosystems, we amplify a startup’s reach, helping them navigate new markets, secure the right investors, and build long-term partnerships that drive sustainable growth.
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