From Beirut to the Bay: Ray Dargham on Why Relationships Are the Real Currency | SVI S3 Ep 22

On this week's episode of Silicon Valley Impact we are talking with Ray Dargham, Founder and CEO of Step, and we’re talking about how relationships are the real currency. From Beirut to the Bay: building more than a business: community, trust & connection. Step is a global tech and startup platform connecting founders, investors, operators, and technology leaders across MENA, Silicon Valley, and emerging markets. Ray founded Step while still in college, beginning as an entrepreneurship workshop series hosted in art galleries in Beirut. After graduating, he moved the platform to Dubai and transformed it into one of the Middle East’s leading technology and startup conference brands. Today, Step serves as a bridge between the MENA and U.S. startup ecosystems, with flagship events in Dubai and San Francisco. Over 14+ editions, Step has welcomed more than 100,000 attendees, showcased 3,000+ startups, and featured 800+ global speakers from companies including LinkedIn, Brex, Deel, Replit, Careem, and Tabby. The platform has also brought together hundreds of venture capital firms, accelerators, corporate innovation teams, and ecosystem leaders from around the world. For more than a decade, Ray has led Step’s vision, strategy, partnerships, and growth while maintaining its founder-first, community-driven approach. His work sits at the intersection of technology, media, venture, community building, and cross-border startup growth, with a particular focus on connecting emerging ecosystems with established global markets. Ray has been featured on the cover of Forbes Middle East, recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, and interviewed by Euronews, CNBC Arabia, Al Arabiya, Startup Grind, JA Europe, and other global media outlets. He continues to build and advise technology platforms, venture networks, and founder-centric communities that create meaningful connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and markets around the world. This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact! Follow us on and listen to all our episodes on: 🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/68L4RPf... 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 📺 Youtube:    / @siliconvalleyimpact   Silicon Valley Venture, LLC, the parent company of Silicon Valley Impact, is a proud global venture partner to great companies, MoralesHR and STAK Ventures, and 1900 Broadway Tower - Oakland. Check out https://moraleshr.com/ and https://stakspace.com/ to gain access to the worlds largest full stack venture ecosystem. It's over 1.2 million square feet of Live, Work, Play, Go; everything innovators, investors, ecosystem influencers, institutional partners, and global talent needs to gain a global advantage, access, alignment, and accelerate your venture. Event Partnerships: Join us in San Francisco on August 27th, 2026 for Step. Use promo code SVV20 and get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gTuYJPeA Join us in San Francisco on October 28th, 2026 for One Way Summit 2026. Go to Luma to learn more and get on the waitlist before tickets are released: https://lnkd.in/gVsa23gj Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the host and guests on Silicon Valley Impact are for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial advice or a solicitation. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a professional before making any financial or business decisions.