Episodes
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Digital Transformation of the banking value chain is a key challenge for every Banking CEO - doesn’t matter where in the world they are operating.
In our latest episode, joining Arjun on the #couch is Jouk Pleiter, CEO of Backbase—a platform that specializes in helping banks modernize their customer interactions by transforming their technology stack from front to back. Jouk shares his candid insights on how changing consumer expectations and the influence of challengers entering the banking sector from multiple sectors are raising the bar for innovation and encouraging banks to modernize at a faster rate and take substantive decisions that require wholesale changes in the way banks operate.
Join us as we explore how the banking industry is evolving. Tune in now!
#Fintech #innovation #Couchonomics #Backbase #FutureOfBanking #Payments #ai #blockchain #FinancialServices #digitaltransformation #futureoffinance
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
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Find us on our social media platforms:
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Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6EOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
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Welcome back to Couchonomics with Arjun! This week, we're diving into Pakistan's financial services with Kabeer Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Microfinance Network. We explore the dynamic interplay between traditional banks, microfinance institutions, and fintechs, and discuss the digital transformation of Pakistan's financial ecosystem. Plus, we cover key topics like microfinance, regulatory advocacy, digital vs. traditional banking, and the challenges of serving MSMEs. Don't miss this insightful conversation! Available now on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Tune in!
#Podcast #Fintech #Microfinance #Banking #DigitalTransformation #PakistanFinance #NewEpisode
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
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Find us on our social media platforms:
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Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
00:00- Episode Highlights
01:07- Introduction
02:18- Financial Services Landscape in Pakistan
04:00- Microfinance in Pakistan
12:08- Strategic Initiatives and Organizational Structure
23:05- Digital vs. Traditional Banking
33:28- Fintech Landscape in Pakistan
42:50- Banking Partnerships with Fintechs
45:51- Challenges in Serving MSMEs
50:38- Regulatory Issues
53:42- Talent Retention and Brain Drain
56:36- Closing wordsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
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Missing episodes?
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Welcome to a new episode of Couchonomics with Arjun! This week, we're diving into Banking as a Service (BaaS) with Kelvin Tan, CEO of Audax.
Kelvin shares insights on Audax’s “bank in a box” solution, helping banks scale and modernize rapidly. We discuss the potential and challenges of BaaS, open banking, and the future of embedded finance. Don't miss this insightful conversation on digital banking!
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
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Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
Time stamps:
00:00 - Episode highlights
00:53 - Introduction
01:35 - The story of Audax
08:06 - BaaS
12:51 - Challenges with BaaS
22:59 - Adopting BaaS
25:10 - Open Banking and BaaS
27:40 - Embedded finance
33:05 - Regulators
34:52 - Audax and banks' relationship
36:42 - Partnerships and orchestration
40:28 - Market focus
45:07 - Learnings for banks embarking on BaaS
47:29 - Closing words
Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
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Innovation in banking is about more than just adopting new technology—it's about challenging traditional perceptions and rethinking everything from customer service to risk management to create more flexible, responsive, and personalized financial services. In this episode, I sit down with Karan Jain, founder and CEO of Naya One, to discuss how his company is revolutionizing the banking world.
We dive into topics such as challenges in financial innovation, the role of Naya One, the evolution of banking innovation, FinTech and bank relationships, and the VC and CVC landscape. Tune in to learn how Naya One is transforming financial innovation and what the future holds for fintech collaborations. Watch now and stay ahead in the world of banking and fintech!
#FinTech #DigitalAssets #Innovation #VC #CVC #Regulation #NayaOne #UK #UAE #Banks #FutureofFinance
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
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Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
Time stamps:
00:00 - Episode highlights
01:13 - Introduction
05:45 - Why banks underdeliver on ROI on innovation
08:01 - Digital transformation and continuous innovation
11:35 - How does Naya One approach culture problems
12:41 - Example of Naya One helping banks implement new technologies
18:36 - Helping banks develop criteria for assessing new technology
23:27 - Proof of concepts
25:44 - Impact on vendors
29:01 - Evolution of innovation in banking
33:25 - BaaS
37:04 - FinTech and banks relationship
41:41 - Are banks starting to use innovative platforms?
45:00 - Digital assets
46:07 - VCs and CVCs
48:51 - Differences between UK and US markets
52:47 - Regulatory sandboxes
55:37 - Closing wordsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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Welcome to the latest episode of Couchonomics with Arjun! In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Ashraf Sabry, the visionary Founder and CEO of Fawry. Ashraf has transformed Fawry into a trailblazing fintech and one of the most successful startups in Africa.
We covered a range of topics, including innovation in payments,the development of startups in Egypt, Fawry’s diversification strategy, and Ashraf’s personal philosophy and expansion plans for Fawry. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of Africa's preeminent fintech leaders.
#Couchonomics #Fintech #FinancialServices #Fawry #Egypt #Innovation #FutureofFinance #Insurance #Payments #FinancialInclusion
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
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Find us on our social media platforms:
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Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
Timestamps:
00:00 - Episode Highlights
01:18 - Introduction
02:47 - Fawry’s Beginnings
06:57 - Managing Complexity in Business
09:53 - Secret to Acquiring New Customers
13:17 - The Importance of Trust
16:28 - Banks and Fintech
22:23 - Fintech Landscape in Egypt
28:24 - Innovation in Egypt
31:35 - What Will Trigger Greater Innovation in Egypt
35:16 - Collaboration of Banks and Fintech
37:31 - Technology in Egypt
44:37 - Regulator's Mindset
54:31 - Competition in the Market
58:50 - How Does Fawry Keep Innovating
01:01:00 - What’s Next for Fawry
01:06:00 - Closing WordsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
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We are talking about Digital Assets, DeFI and Crypto on Couchonomics with Arjun this week. Joining us on the couch is Nick Philpott, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at Zodia Markets by Standard Chartered & OSL. We had a very interesting conversation around #bitcoinhalving, #stablecoins, virtual-assets regulations, and tokenization of real-world assets, among other topics. Nick gave us insights into Zodia Markets' role as an OTC crypto brokerage serving institutional clients and their partnership with Standard Chartered.
#Couchonomics #Bitcoin #Cryptocurrency #fintech #CryptoInsights #Tokenization #blockchain #ethereum #digitalassets #defi #cbdcs #centralbanks #cryptoexchange #digitalcurrency
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
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Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics
Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
Chapters:
00:00 - Episode Highlights
01:06 - Introduction
02:04 - Bitcoin Halving
06:23 - Influence of ETFs on market volume and trading patterns
08:08 - Introduction to Zodia Markets
16:50 - Partnership with Standard Chartered
23:27 - Regulatory Interpretation and Responsibility
26:51 - Seeking Regulation
29:47 - Industry Approaches to Regulation
32:36 - Potential Impact of CBDCs on cryptocurrency
35:29 - Stablecoins Use Cases
43:28 - Widespread Adoption of Stablecoins
49:31 - Tokenization of Real-World Assets
57:31 - What's Next for Zodia Markets
01:00:08 - Closing WordsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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In this episode of Couchonomics, we tackle the burning question: "Bitcoin in 2024: Boom or Bust?" Join us as we engage in a fascinating conversation with Stefan Kimmel, the CEO of M2, a crypto exchange, and investment platform regulated by the FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
We dive deep into the world of cryptocurrency, exploring the intricate dynamics of Bitcoin, DeFi, and digital assets. Throughout our chat, we touch upon various topics, including market dynamics, product innovation, and future trends in the crypto space.
Don't miss out on this insightful discussion!
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
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ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
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Find us on our social media platforms:
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Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
Chapters:
00:00 - Episode Highlights
00:46 - Introduction
02:08 - Definition of digital assets
03:17 - Definition of DeFi
04:55 - Definition of Crypto
04:58 - Impact of regulation on decentralization
08:04 - Introduction to M2
09:43 - Genesis of the business in Abu Dhabi
11:13 - Current landscape of digital asset companies in the Middle East
14:29 - Analog world's adoption of blockchain and DA
17:25 - What can accelerate the adoption of blockchain and DA
19:42 - Based in Abu Dhabi, having global reach
21:15 - How does M2 position itself differently
24:15 - Challenges and Opportunities in Crypto
25:15 - Crypto market growth and adoption
29:37 - Building innovative products
34:32 - Payments and Adoption
37:37 - Customer Acquisition
40:36 - What does the ecosystem need to do differently?
41:17 - Legitimizing digital currency to invest in commodities
42:43 - Regulation and Technology Trends
47:08 - Global Talent Sourcing
47:49 - Regulation Prediction
49:40 - Keeping capital patient
52:13 - What will be the role of AI?
56:04 - B2B Partnerships and Market Expansion
58:00 - Advice for Crypto Trading Beginners
01:02:01 - Closing WordsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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Welcome to a new episode of Couchonomics with Arjun!
Join Arjun as he explores Africa's dynamic startup scene and fintech landscape with Elias Yazbeck, Managing Director at Helios Investment Partners.
Discover key insights into Africa's market dynamics, challenges, and future trends in fintech. Elias also shares Helios Investment Partners' strategies and potential seismic shifts in private equity.
Topics covered include real-time payments, digital banking for SMEs, regulatory roles, entrepreneurship challenges, and Helios Investment's unique philosophy.
Tune in now for valuable insights! Watch the full episode on YouTube and major podcasting platforms.
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
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Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics
Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
Timestamps:
00:00 - Episode Highlight
01:12 - Introduction
02:10 - Overview of Helios Investment Partners
06:10 - Africa's Diverse Startup Scene
09:02 - Investing in Major African Markets and Market Dynamics
11:48 - Key Sectors of Interest
18:18 - Africa-Specific Trends
21:00 - The Role of Central Banks
24:46 - Prevailing Trends in Private Equity
31:41 - Shifts in the Private Equity Scene
34:58 - The Next Phase of Africa's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
37:44 - Operational Challenges in Africa
42:08 - Investment Focus and Social Impact
46:51 - The Next Steps for Helios
49:51 - Closing WordsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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Join Arjun on Couchonomics as we explore open banking and fintech in the GCC with Abdulla Almoayed, Founder & CEO of Tarabut. Discover the evolving landscape of financial services, BaaS, and gain insights into open banking.
We also delve into Tarabut's inspiration, GCC financial services, managed competition, challenges, and opportunities with open banking, BaaS integration, and accelerating digital adoption through fintech partnerships.
Watch now on YouTube and major podcast platforms! #Couchonomics #Fintech #OpenBanking #GCC #Tarabut
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 03 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
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Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics
Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
time stamps:
- 00:00 - Episode highlights
- 01:42 - Introduction
- 02:43 - About Tarabut
- 05:50 - Fintech scene in the GCC region
- 11:40 - Free competition vs. managed competition
- 16:21 - Challenges with open banking
- 22:53 - Banks' reluctance to adopt new technology
- 30:25 - Regional nuances in financial markets
- 34:00 - Regulatory harmonization
- 38:40 - BaaS and open banking integration
- 47:16 - Third-party providers in BaaS
- 51:11 - Digital transformation challenges and strategies
- 57:00 - Future strategy for Tarabut
- 01:04:00 - Closing wordsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of mental health with Scott Armstrong, Founder & CEO of Mentl, a mental health advocacy platform. From workplace challenges to the impact of AI, we explore various facets of mental well-being in today's world. Tune in for insightful discussions on work-life balance, stress management, and more. Don't miss out on this important conversation!
#Couchonomics #MentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance #StressManagement #WellBeing #Podcast #LeadershipInsights
Timestamps:
00:00 - Episode Highlights
01:15 - Introduction
02:57 - Meet Mentl: Advocating Mental Health
03:53 - Scott’s Background Journey
05:22 - State of Mental Health in the Region
09:43 - Primary Drivers of Stress
14:33 - Traditional Work Culture vs. Modern Expectations
17:49 - Generation Gap in Work-Life Balance and Mental Health Attitudes
20:17 - Mental Health's Impact on Productivity
22:45 - Company Strategies for Employee Well-Being Investment
29:46 - Smart Mitigating Strategies for Well-Being
36:36 - Challenges Faced by Gen Z in the Workplace
41:22 - AI's Influence on Mental Health
56:14 - The Mental Health Crisis
58:16 - Addressing Mental Health Challenges and "Well-Washing"
1:02:00 - Closing ThoughtsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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Episode 5 of Season 3 is live now featuring Mounir Nakhla, Founder and CEO of MNT-Halan. Join us as we delve into the journey of MNT-Halan and the Egyptian fintech landscape. From ride-hailing to a financial super app, we cover it all in this insightful episode! Tune in for a glimpse into the world of fintech innovation!
#Fintech #MNTHalan #StartupJourney #couchonomics #tech #innovation #newepisode
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.com/
Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
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Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics
Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
Timestamps:
00:00 - Episode Highlights
00:43 - Introduction
02:00 - MNT-Halan's story
05:23 - Creating a financial super app
08:12 - What makes MNT-Halan great
12:00 - Opportunities in the Egyptian market
15:55 - Microloans and consumer loans
18:58 - MNT-Halan's Impact on the Banking Sector
21:35 - Fintech Ecosystem in Egypt
24:36 - Impact of investors on startup direction
26:13 - Regulatory landscape in Egypt
28:02 - Egyptian companies going across the borders
32:02 - Opportunities of the Egyptian market for international fintech
37:32 - Future plans and strategies for MNT-Halan
40:49 - Talent scarcity and AI
42:00 - Closing wordsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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🚀 Explore the world of Venture Capital with Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, in Episode 4 of Couchonomics with Arjun! We cover topics like the State of Venture Capital in 2023, market dynamics, lessons learned by VCs, challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs, and more. Don’t miss this conversation full of invaluable insights. Tune in now!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Episode Highlights
00:32 - Introduction
01:25 - The State of VC in 2023
12:31 - Lessons Learned by VCs
14:21 - The Emergence of the Saudi Market
23:36 - Challenges and Opportunities in the Egyptian Market
29:00 - Exploring Different Investment Sectors
44:07 - Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Investment
55:54 - Inside Nuwa Capital
59:23 - Common Pitfalls for Startups
01:04:30 - Expectations and Predictions for 2024/25
01:08:56 - Closing Words
Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
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Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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Join us for Episode 3 of Couchonomics with Arjun as we explore the UAE's entrepreneurship ecosystem with Professor Ramesh Jagannathan, Managing Director of StartAD. Learn about StartAD's innovative programs, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the role of women in business. Subscribe for insightful discussions on driving economic growth and global competitiveness in the UAE!
#StartAD #UAEentrepreneurship #Innovation #WomenEntrepreneurs #TechEducation #Angelinvestment #UAEstartup
Chapters:
00:00- Episode Highlights
00:26- Introduction
01:11- Prof. Ramesh Background
06:35- startAD inception and challenges
16:48- What makes startAD stand out
22:36- Capacity building in the UAE
25:08- Empowering women in entrepreneurship
29:19- VC funding and women-led ventures
37:06- NYU impact in startAD
42:30- Next chapter for startAD
46:25- Collaboration between capacity enablers
54:32- Closing wordsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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Welcome back to Couchonomics! In line with the theme of rearchitecting the global financial system, this week we explored the banking sector in the UAE and the wider GCC: regulatory focus, financial crime regulation, innovation, and in general, what the banking sector could do differently.
Helping us explore these topics, we had the privilege of hosting Raheel Ahmed, CEO of RAKBANK, on our show. During our conversation, Raheel shared his insights on the dynamic relationship between fintech and banks, his views on central banks, and Arjun even managed to slip in a CBDC question. 💸📈
Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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Dive into the future of Fintech with J.K. Khalil, General Manager at MasterCard GCC & Pakistan! Join Arjun and J.K. as they explore the partnership dynamics between fintechs and banks, the game-changing role of governments in innovation, embedded finance, and MasterCard's bold new initiatives! Don't miss out on this strong start to the third season!
#Fintech #Mastercard #fintechinnovation #couchonomics #season3 #fintechpodcast #digitalpayments #governmentregulations #digitalbanking
Timestamps:
00:00- Introduction
03:40- Rearchitecting Of The Financial System
08:22- Digital Payments
09:07- Faster Payments
14:35 -Cross Border Payment System
16:28- J.K’s View On CBDCs
19:30- Interesting News In Payments
23:27-Banks And Fintechs Dynamics
27:50 - Mastercard’s Work With New Fintechs
32:58- J.K’s Insights On Current State of VC’s
36:57- Why Is There A Lack Of Early-Stage Startups?
41:20- The Role Of Government Regulators
51:38- Closing WordsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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In the season finale of Couchonomics S02, Arjun was joined by David Chaum, inventor of electronic money and privacy technology. As Arjun puts it, David is a “living legend” and one of the most influential architects of our present-day financial systems.
Why David invented eCash, and how his work pioneered the way for cryptocurrency to be developed in its present formDavid’s involvement in exposing cryptographic weaknesses in payment systemsHis latest work: “Better Than Money”, inspired by the shortfallings of the current financial systemHow “Better Than Money” could address global financial inequityBarriers to financial improvement, and how blockchain-driven solutions could benefit the unbankedThe role of both commercial and central banks in the evolving financial landscapeHow “Better Than Money” could coexist with CBDCs and stablecoinsThe potential of “Better Than Money” to address inefficiencies in cross-border payments
David’s work in cryptography and every other he has touched has had a massive impact across the world. So far, his achievements and impact have been covered predominantly in Western Media, so we’re truly excited to bring this conversation to our mostly MENA-based audience.
David is currently leading xx network, a completely private, quantum-secure decentralized messaging and payment platform. He is also known for other fundamental innovations in cryptography, including privacy technologies such as mix nets and secure voting systems.
With a PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley, he has taught at NYU Graduate School of Business and the University of California. David is the founder of the International Association for Cryptologic Research, the Cryptography Group at the Center for Mathematics and Computer Science in Amsterdam, and DigiCash. Among his breakthrough projects are digital blind signatures, multiparty computation, and random sample voting.
In the episode, Arjun and David discussed:To learn more about “Better Than Money” and David’s ongoing work, visit his website: https://chaum.com/
Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Eyad Albayouk, General Manager at Flat6Labs.
The nature of Saudi's startup sceneThe current funding landscape in Saudi The state of deal flow: is it in trouble? The quality of fintech startups in KSA Angel investor networks in the region Increased participation of women in the Saudi workforce The role of experienced entrepreneurs in supporting early-stage startupsGovernment actions in funding mechanisms, non-funding mechanisms, and regulatory interventions
Eyad comes from a 12-year background focused on alternative investments. This special episode, shot at Fintech Saudi, provided great insight into the state of the fintech startup ecosystem in KSA.
In the episode, Arjun and Eyad discussed:
Thank you to Fintech Saudi for inviting us to use their facilities to record this special episode of Couchonomics from KSA.Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Paul Melotto, Executive Board Member at Alraedah Finance. Paul has played a key part in Arjun's journey to understand the Saudi ecosystem, especially regarding fintech and financial services.
In the episode, Arjun and Paul discussed:
The state of Non-Banked Financial Institutions in KSAThe liquidity gap faced by SMEs and how to address itExamples of government initiatives supporting SMEsThe possibility of banks changing their attitude toward SMEsWhether fintechs are considered friends, foes, or frenemies What regulators can do to unlock potential in the SME and NBFI nexus Alraedah Finance's plans to help SMEs over the next 3 yearsThank you to Fintech Saudi for opening up their space to us for the recording of this episode.
Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined on the couch by Mehdi Fichtali, CEO & Founder of FinaMaze, MENA's first AI digital wealth manager.
Their general frustration with traditional investment optionsThe pitfalls of using trading platforms without proper trainingThe wealth management industry's failure to educate customers FinaMaze's process of tailoring micro-portfolios for individual clients The way they’ve partnered human decision-makers with AIChallenges in B2C wealth managementWhat differentiates FinaMaze from other "robo-advisors"
Founded by a highly experienced team with decades of track record in capital markets and asset management, their hybrid human/machine teams are currently managing hundreds of portfolios. We spent a fair amount of the episode breaking down AI's role in wealth management and the need for a product like FinaMaze.
In the episode, Arjun and Mehdi spoke about:
This is a great episode for AI enthusiasts, those working in wealthtech or wealth management, and anyone trading in their personal capacity.Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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"We're behind the scenes. We make money move."
The emergence of national payment infrastructures, whether they're commercially owned, state-owned, or mutual/cooperative modelsAll things Aani, from how Al Etihad identified this gap in the market to the problems they’re solving with this payment experience The unique challenges facing payments in the UAE, with the dichotomy of the region being digitally enabled but still relying strongly on cash in particular areas Trends shaping the payments sector, such as the technologies enabling transformation in the industry The cashless versus "less cash" debate and how it applies to MENA How to enable faster payments: will CBDCs help? Open finance and debit card innovations taking place in the UAE Opportunities in the space of B2B payments Future banking models and the challenges facing the adoption of open banking
In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Jan Pilbauer, Chief Executive Officer of Al Etihad Payments, a national payments utility and fully owned subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE.
Al Etihad Payments recently launched Aani, a "payments experience" that allows you to make instant payments to people or merchants from your bank accounts, wallets, or other sources. We spent a good portion of the episode exploring this latest venture, and how it is furthering Al Etihad's mission of powering the payments that make the UAE thrive.
In the episode, Arjun and Jan spoke about:If you, like Arjun, are a "payments geek", this episode is definitely one to add to your listening lineup for the week!
Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/
Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E
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