The Founders Peak Podcast

This episode features two influential leaders in the fintech world! Neil Tan, Chairman of the Hong Kong FinTech Association, bringing over 20 years of experience in Corporate Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Business Development across leading banks like HSBC and Deutsche Bank. As Chairman of FTAHK and a member of the Hong Kong Government's Web3 Task Force, Neil's insights on Embedded Finance and Banking-as-a-Service are not to be missed!

Joining Neil is Kelvin Tan, CEO of audax financial technology, on a mission to revolutionize digital banking with plug-and-play platforms for banks. With a background spanning retail banking, consumer finance, and FMCG, Kelvin leads audax in delivering cutting-edge solutions, including the first multi-market retail BaaS for a global bank. He's also passionate about mentoring Singaporean talent to new heights.

A deep dive into embedded finance and Banking-as-a-Service," Neil and Kelvin share their expertise, challenges, and untold stories shaping the future of fintech. Tune in for a riveting conversation on the evolving landscape of financial technology!

An eye-opening episode with the legendary inventor of electronic money and a pioneer in online anonymity - David Chaum. In this episode, David takes us through his groundbreaking contributions that have shaped today's digital currency landscape. As the mastermind behind digital cash and cryptographic protocols, David has been instrumental in architecting our modern financial systems. Leading the xx network, a revolutionary private, quantum-secure decentralised messaging and payment platform, David continues to push the boundaries of privacy and security.

Join us as we delve into his world of innovative cryptography, privacy technologies, and secure voting systems. With a PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley and a legacy that includes founding the International Association for Cryptologic Research and DigiCash, David Chaum shares the untold stories behind his groundbreaking projects. Tune in for an episode that promises insights into the future of finance and the protection of civil liberties!

In this episode, Madhu shares his journey of the past 9 years, building and scaling M2P into the largest API Infrastructure platform across 10 markets in Asia. As a fintech entrepreneur with a mission to make every company a fintech, Madhu's passion for solving challenges faced by startups shines through. Join us as we explore his vision to uplift MSMEs and transform businesses in the financial landscape, all while aiming for the ultimate satisfaction of end-customers.

Tune in to discover the insights and stories that shaped Madhu's remarkable journey!

Meet Varun Mittal, the driving force behind Singlife's Innovation and Ecosystem. In this episode, we delve into the world of financial innovation as Varun shares his journey from spearheading FinTech business development across 130 emerging markets to founding "The Fintech Nation" project, comprising a book, podcast, and investment fund dedicated to nurturing Singapore's fintech ecosystem. As a co-founder of the Singapore FinTech Association and ASEAN FinTech Network, Varun's expertise in technology companies and early-stage investments in emerging markets promises a wealth of insights for startup founders and entrepreneurial leaders.

Tune in to discover how simplicity can transform the financial landscape with Varun Mittal!

Darrell Ang is co-founder of CapBay, a groundbreaking Supply Chain Finance platform. With a background spanning fintech entrepreneurship, investment banking, regulation, and management consulting, Darrel brings a wealth of experience to the table. CapBay, under his leadership, has funded over US$600 million for thousands of SMEs, earning recognition as one of CNBC's "Top 200 Global Fintech Companies." Darrel himself was honored with the prestigious "EY Emerging Entrepreneur - Malaysia" award.

In this episode, he shares insights from his dynamic career, from raising over US$10 billion with Credit Suisse Singapore to navigating the regulatory landscape with Bank Negara Malaysia. Get ready to be inspired by the transformation from risk-averse beginnings to entrepreneurial success!

With a background as a former Goldman Sachs Executive Director and now heading the Digital Assets Think Tank at the FinTech Centre of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Thomas brings unparalleled expertise to the table. From completing over 100 IPOs to leading APAC business for Hamsa, Thomas is at the forefront of the future of finance.

In this episode, Dr. Zhu takes us on a journey through the world of digital assets. Tune in to explore the exciting realm of tokenisation and stablecoins!

Meet the visionary mind behind Citi's Future of Finance team - Ronit Ghose. In this episode, Ronit dives into the future of tech, money, and finance. With reports on FinTech and Web3 that have captivated readers worldwide, Ronit brings unparalleled insights into the evolving landscape of finance. As an advisory board member for tech and VC firms, and a former researcher for a UK Prime Minister, Ronit's expertise is unmatched.

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of digital disruption with Ronit Ghose!

Prasanna is a dynamic leader in the technology and innovation sector. In this episode, Prasanna shares insights from his roles as CEO at Block Stack and Chief Innovation Officer at PayCircle, driving the Next-Gen movements in disruptive Web 3.0 technology. With a wealth of experience as a founder of India Blockchain Forum and advisory roles at Thakur Institute of Management Studies, TransBnk, and India FinTech Forum, Prasanna brings a unique perspective on the transformative power of blockchain.

Get ready to explore the future of finance through Prasanna Lohar's expertise and visionary insights!

Dushyant is the Managing Director of Rosenblatt Securities’ FinTech Investment Banking group on Wall Street. With a stellar career spanning 25 years in the finance industry, Dushyant is a seasoned banker with a keen eye for the winds of change in money.

In this episode, get ready to dive into Dushyant's journey and discover the insights he's gained as a Fellow at MIT Sloan, guest lecturer at prestigious universities, and advisor to governments and global organizations. From his role at Rosenblatt Securities to his contributions to the global FinTech scene, this is a conversation that promises to enlighten and inspire.

Salim is the CEO & Co-Founder of Pave Bank, a trailblazing digital bank for the new financial era. With a background that includes leading BigPay to success as one of Southeast Asia's largest neobanks, Salim is a visionary in programmable money and regulated digital assets.

In this episode, Salim shares his expertise honed through years of experience in banking, payment technology, and fintech unicorns. From his role at Carta Worldwide to his work with the World Bank Group, Salim offers invaluable insights into the future of finance and the world of programmable money.

Geoff Ira is a financial maven with 15 years of industry immersion. From weathering the storm of the 2008 financial crisis to pioneering client onboarding for digital banks and blockchain enterprises, Geoff's journey is one of resilience and innovation.

In 2020, inspired by lessons from the pandemic, Geoff ventured into the insurtech startup ecosystem. Rising from Risk Lead to Chief Risk Officer, he now co-founds TradeTogether, a groundbreaking venture merging traditional financial expertise with the boundless potential of Web3 technology.

In this episode, we uncover Geoff's journey from crisis to innovation, and his vision for propelling financial sustainability and ethical practices into the future with TradeTogether.

Abhijit a first-time founder with a remarkable evolution in entrepreneurship. From a graduate at India's top commerce colleges to an international-level chess player representing India, Abhijit's journey is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode, Abhijit shares the invaluable lessons he's learned over the past 3 years. From the importance of self-awareness to the realities of entrepreneurship, Abhijit offers candid insights into the ups and downs of startup life. From efficient multitasking to the crucial art of delegation, this is a must-listen for anyone embarking on their entrepreneurial journey!

Sucharita is the co-founder and CEO of Kaleidofin, a fintech platform championing "Finance for Freedom." With a passion for financial inclusion, Sucharita's journey is a testament to transforming the landscape of banking.

In this episode, we uncover Sucharita's story of co-founding the IFMR group and building innovative financial solutions for the underbanked. Recognised as one of India's 'Top 40 under 40' Business Leaders and a 'Top 20 Fintech Change Maker,' she shares the untold stories that have shaped her path. From her tenure at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank to her vision for Kaleidofin, get ready for an inspiring conversation!

Cherie Wang is the founder of Planner Bee and is on a quest to simplify and automate insurance planning for everyone. As a Chartered Financial Advisor with 14 years of experience, Cherie ranks in the top 5% globally, bringing practical strategies to navigate financial pitfalls.

In this episode, we delve into Cherie's journey of streamlining the complex world of insurance planning. Discover how her innovative approach, focused on doing less to achieve more, is reshaping the landscape of financial services.

Young is the Managing Director of ZA Tech Global for the SEA market. A key member of the founding team since 2018, Young has spearheaded ZA's expansion into the SEA market, forging strategic partnerships with major ecosystems and insurers in the region.

Young's journey began as an engineer at PayPal. Over the past decade, he has immersed himself in the realms of online payments, banking, and insurance.

In this episode, we uncover Young's invaluable insights and the untold stories that have shaped his path to success. This is a conversation packed with wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs!

Hiro is the founder and CEO of Wallex, a cutting-edge cross-border payments fintech company. With Wallex acquired by M-DAQ in 2022, Hiro's leadership has seen the company flourish with over 150 employees across Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.

Transitioning from his role as a VC investor, Hiro founded Wallex in 2016, bringing a unique perspective to the table. His experiences with GREE Ventures and Yello Mobile have shaped his insights into early-stage startups, making him a sought-after mentor and angel investor.

In this episode, we dive into Hiro's journey, uncovering the valuable wisdom he imparts to budding entrepreneurs in the ASEAN region and beyond.

Ian Huang is the Founder, CEO & Chief Architect of ParallelChain Lab. With a track record as a technologist, Ian boasts 10 blockchain patents and a wealth of experience. From leadership roles in tech giants like Tektronix, Northrop Grumman, and DEC, to founding XNET Technology (Santa Clara), which went public on NASDAQ in just 4 years, Ian's expertise is unparalleled.

In this episode, we dive into Ian's incredible entrepreneurial journey, uncovering his Huang's insights into blockchain, AI, and the secrets to nurturing the next generation of talents.

Nuraizah is a multi-award-winning technopreneur and serial entrepreneur. With a background in Electrical Engineering, Nuraizah began her career in engineering and R&D with industry giants like Motorola and Nokia. Since founding her first company in 2006, she now leads Madcat World, a software development powerhouse, and Madcash, a groundbreaking Fintech focused on empowering women with micro-businesses.

Nuraizah's unwavering passion lies in advocating for the advancement of women entrepreneurs. As the ASEAN Access Ambassador and Malaysia's local consultant for a 5-year project aimed at boosting digital adoption among women entrepreneurs, she continues to inspire and drive change.

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of seeking help and embracing vulnerability in one's entrepreneurial journey.

Formerly the Senior Vice President & Head of Payments for First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Ramana spearheaded the creation of groundbreaking solutions. His legacy includes pioneering lifecycle solutions for corporates, from merchant acquiring to government solutions, prepaid services, remittances, and the UAE's trailblazing digital wallet - Payit.

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of embedded finance and its role in shaping the future of financial systems. Don't miss this enlightening conversation with Ramana Kumar, as we explore the innovative landscape of Magnati and the visionaries driving the evolution of finance.

Mishal's inspiring journey of founding Trukkr, Pakistan's pioneering embedded finance platform for the logistics industry, is a testament to innovation and impact.

Trukkr stands at the forefront, offering small- and medium-sized trucking companies in Pakistan unparalleled transport management and supply chain solutions. What sets Trukkr apart is its groundbreaking fintech integration, bringing digital transformation to the previously unbanked and undocumented logistics sector.

Tune in as we delve into Mishal's remarkable journey, exploring the untold stories that have shaped Trukkr's mission to redefine Pakistan's logistics landscape with innovation and financial inclusion.

Manuel is a pioneering force in Brazil's booming fintech sector. Today, Kanastra unveils a remarkable $13 million seed funding round, propelling its mission to revolutionise infrastructure solutions for the country's innovative startups.

Manuel's journey to Kanastra was sparked by the frustrations he and his co-founders faced in the debt finance sector. Prior to this groundbreaking venture, Manuel served as the COO of Kardinal Capital, a leading private debt asset management firm in Brazil.

Tune in as we dive into Manuel's extraordinary story, uncovering the untold challenges and triumphs that have shaped Kanastra's mission to redefine Brazil's fintech landscape.

Vladimira is a visionary at the forefront of financial wellness in emerging markets. A Forbes-awarded serial entrepreneur, Vladimira's journey from Slovakia to impacting 230 million lives in Pakistan breaks stereotypes and inspires change.

Co-founding Neem in Pakistan, Vladimira embarked on a mission to revolutionise financial well-being for millions. Her innovative approach has not gone unnoticed, earning her recognition as one of Forbes' top entrepreneurs in her field. Beyond Neem, she is also the visionary behind The Future Farm, a global initiative advocating for mental health support tailored for entrepreneurs.

Tune in as Vladimira shares her compelling narrative, debunking myths and revealing the transformative power of entrepreneurship and social impact.

An Economist and MBA, Matthew's diverse career spans 7 years in Tokyo's FX business and the launch of multiple online retail ventures. Delving into the heart of innovation, he spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives at KBC, including Europe's pioneering blockchain application at Bolero Crowdfunding. Co-founding SettleMint in 2016, Matthew embarked on a mission to simplify blockchain adoption for enterprises.

Tune in to discover Matthew's journey in the Blockchain space, SettleMint, and NFTs, and he empowers enterprises to swiftly build and integrate blockchain applications, all while equipping teams with the tools and support needed for success.

Our guest on this episode is a serial fintech entrepreneur, and acclaimed blockchain author. Delve into his journey as he shares insights from his ventures, notably at Brú Finance where he revolutionised finance for farmers, tokenizing over US $600 million in crops. A Forbes 30 under 30 Asia honoree and Ethereum Foundation Fellow, Abhishek discusses the evolution of fintech for the underserved, spanning India to Europe, and the impactful strides in blockchain education, totaling over 8,000 learners.

Discover the ethos behind his latest venture, The Impact Wave, bridging global givers with social impact pioneers, and gain invaluable wisdom on overcoming startup hurdles and fostering industry-wide progress in FinTech's next billion.

Walter de Oude is the brilliant mind behind Singlife and Chocolate Finance. He presents a revolutionary approach to savings. Say goodbye to traditional fixed deposits—Chocolate Finance offers unparalleled returns without the usual hurdles. It's a testament to Walter's belief that everyone deserves financial growth to enrich their lives.

Before Chocolate, Walter founded and steered Singapore Life (Singlife) to a staggering S$3.2 billion valuation by 2020. Now, with Chocolate Ventures, a pioneering early-stage VC, Walter invites investors to join him in handpicked opportunities where he can make a difference.

A second-time guest on the podcast - this time talking to us about what it feels like to sail close to the regulatory wind. Listen in as we delve into Walter's journey navigating the entrepreneurial seas, uncovering the bold decisions that have defined his path to success.

Prithvi Rai, the visionary behind Borneo Data, champions a mission to empower companies in their quest for 'Securing user trust' using Borneo's real-time data security and privacy observability platform.

With an illustrious career spanning two decades, Prithvi honed his expertise in leadership roles as the Global Head of Security for industry titans like Uber, Facebook, and Yahoo! He also lends his strategic acumen to the Board of the Home Team Science and Technology Agency of the Government of Singapore, shaping the landscape of tech innovation.

In this episode with Prithvi, we uncover the narrative of a relentless leader's journey from Silicon Valley's corridors to the helm of Borneo Data. In his talk, Prithvi shares how influences and past experiences in his life and career shaped the journey going from a startup founder to CEO.

Our speaker today is Vinod Nair, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of MoneySmart Group.

Vinod is a career entrepreneur and never worked for anyone else. He once did a 10-day silent meditation retreat on a mountain in Sri Lanka - it was the hardest thing he had ever done. He also happens to be a biohacking geek who takes 9 different supplements a day to stay in top form.

His company, MoneySmart Group, was the very first investment that Golden Gate Ventures made. MoneySmart has outlasted and outperformed companies with far more funding - owing it all to its strong culture, teamwork, and perhaps even the shoes-off policy that the company has wholeheartedly embraced.

In his talk, Vinod speaks about Bouncing back: How he unlocked resilience and drive through zero-based calendaring

Our speaker today is Rob Schimek, Group CEO of bolttech.

Rob successfully launched the bolttech brand right in the middle of the global pandemic in 2020 – with an ambitious vision to connect people with more ways to protect the things they value. Homegrown in Singapore, bolttech today is the world’s most internationally scaled insurtech, operating in 35+ markets across four continents. This year, bolttech raised US$246 million in its Series B fundraise—the largest ever Series B for an insurtech.

Rob has competed in the world’s toughest endurance competitions, including the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. He has completed 5 out of the 6 World Marathon Majors, and is running the Antarctica Marathon shortly!

Rob talks about his journey From Ironman to founder and how he is Forging resilience in both worlds

Our speaker today is Dr Sara Saeed Khurram, Co-founder & CEO of Sehat Kahani.

Sara is the first and only woman in her entire family to ever run a business of her own! She tells us that she has pitched to investors while cooking a meal for her family and still managed to secure the investment!

Sehat Kahani is the first female led company in Pakistan to raise a pre series A round of $1 million, and is the only female-led company in Pakistan to raise a series A round in its history! Sara is also the first female in Pakistan to recv the Rolex Award, and her work was just featured in the iconic British Vogue Magazine.

In her talk, Sara tells us about 3 hurdles she overcame to successfully turn her purpose into an enterprise.

Our speaker today is Samuel Rhee, Co-founder & Chairman of Endowus.

Sam calls himself a third culture kid being from Korea, growing up in England and having worked in HK and Singapore. Despite giving up promotions and bonuses, he still got pushed to the top in his 17 years at Morgan Stanley and became CEO and CIO of Morgan Stanley IInvestment Management. Sam was a startup founder in his 40s!

Let’s hear why Sam thinks that Silicon Valley doesn't have all the answers

Our speaker today is Bulent Tekmen, Founder of Colendi based in Turkey.

Bulent founded Colendi to empower every individual regardless of gender, background, financial position, banked or unbanked, to give them financial freedom and financial inclusion through simple, easy-to-use products. In his words, Colendi IS the future of finance that uncomplicates the complicated by empowering the unempowered.

Let’s hear from Bulent about what he thinks of entrepreneurial life in his talk titled sleep like a baby while living on the edge!

Our speaker today is Andrea Baronchelli, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer of Aspire. He was part of the early founding team of Lazada, built the company from the early days till the exit to Alibaba. He is also a Y-Combinator & Rocket Internet Alum.

Backed by Y-combinator, Aspire has been named one of the top100 Fintech globally in 2023. The company tripled its yearly revenues, hitting profitability in the second quarter of 2023 and US$15B of annualised total payment volumes.

Andrea’s endearing talk is titled, Questions, not answers. How to build anything. Lets listen to Andrea.

Our speaker today is Dr Rahul Banerjee, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer of BondbloX.

BondbloX is the world’s first fractional bond exchange! Rahul and his co-founder went to b-school together! Rahul’s doctoral thesis was on the "role of trust in advice acceptance from AI". Along the way, Rahul married his highschool sweetheart. His career started in Brooke Bond (one of India's largest selling tea brands), and now he is a Bond Broker!

Rahul draws on his journey to share with us that he is Neither a billionaire nor broke. And how then, timing plays its hand. Suddenly.

Our speaker today is Irene Zhao, Founder of SO-COL.

Irene is a Singapore-based crypto influencer with half a million followers on social media. She launched her NFT collection called IreneDAO, which recorded S$7.5 million in trading volume within the first week! A true hustler, she came to Singapore on a MOE scholarship at the age of 15.

SO-COL raised a $100m valuation within just 6 months, with 30,000 unique wallet addresses earned within 1 month of launch.

Irene truly is an unapologetic founder and here’s how she navigated controversy on the journey to success

Our speaker today is Janos Barberis, CEO of Founders Taboo.

Janos founded Founders Taboo to increase awareness, access, and affordability of support for startup founder mental health and well-being. Janos is building the world’s largest online community and resource hub offering psycho-education, online support and connections to providers specialised in offering treatment and crisis support specifically for founders.

Founders Taboo also offer regular retreats for founders. In fact, his team once had to drive 14 hours across 5 countries to make it to a retreat for founders as all the planes were cancelled! A fun fact about Janos - in every talk he has given, Janos always has one picture of Freudy, his husky.

Janos talks to us about Founders mental wealth: and how entrepreneurs need to be valued differently¨.

Our speaker today is Jing Li, Founder & CEO of Sirius Technologies.

Jing left his home at 15 to explore the world and returned after 12 long years. He then became a founding member of WeBank, one of the largest and best digital banks in the world. Jing then departed on a journey to find a way to bring WeBank to more people, which is how Sirius Technologies was born with the help of a bunch of Chinese engineers in Thailand. Fun fact - their biggest market outside of Thailand is Colombia, which is on the opposite side of the globe! Jing is exploring an alternative way of modernising enterprise IT for embedded business models.

Jing’s talk is about why he thinks Troublemakers make good founder material.

Let’s find out.

Our speaker today is Cesar Jung-Harada, Professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology and Founder & Director of MakerBay.

Cesar’s first real job was working in a glass-blowing studio. He also used to live in a yurt in the London Financial District, and has sailed around the world!

The very first version of his company MakerBay was built in a former chicken farm in Hong Kong New Territories. It is the first Makerspace focused on social and environmental impact in Asia, and is also the largest non-governmental Makerspace in Hong Kong.

From his entrepreneurial adventures and his passion for the enviornment, Cesar thinks Science will not save us. Let’s hear why.

Our speaker today is Dr Krishna Murthy Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech - a visionary entrepreneur in the field of vaccines and biotherapeutics and the brilliant scientist behind Covaxin - India's first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine

Dr. Ella is a true luminary in the field of science, having received not one or two but six honorary degrees. Notably, he's the first Indian to be bestowed with an honorary degree from the prestigious University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.

Dr. Ella is often called the visionary "Father of Genome Valley." His relentless pursuit has transformed Snake Valley into India's premier hub for Life Sciences R&D, with over 400 companies calling it home. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to science and healthcare, Dr Ella was honoured with India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, in 2022. This achievement underscores his profound impact on the nation.

Our speaker today is Tali Goldman, Founder & Managing Director of Market for Good.

Market for Good boasts an 80%-female employee roster, breaking the gender stereotypes in the business world. In a remarkable display of commitment, their initial seed investment came from their advisory board and employees. As trailblazers in the field, Market for Good stands alone as the only B2B platform capable of quantifying social impact, setting new standards in the industry.

Tali served two years in the military where she helped soldiers from low-income families pass their high-school graduation exams. This undoubtedly contributed to her strong leadership and problem-solving skills. Fun facts - despite being born into a Latin American family, Tali has never consumed red meat. She loves silver jewellery-making and salsa dancing.

Let’s hear from Tali about how she learned to solve things that she cannot accept.

Our speaker today is Anurag Banerjee, Co-founder & CEO of Quilt AI - a Singapore-headquartered AI company that’s 50% for profit and 50% not-for-profit. Recently rated as one of the top 12 generative AI companies in the world, The Economist called Quilt AI “an AI for good company” for their work on mental health, child protection and gender equity.

It’s interesting to share that Anurag calls himself a failed poet and he is a former DJ too! Someone once mistook him for Satya Nadella at an airport!

Anurag thinks Founders Really Do Not Matter. And here’s why

Our speaker today is Ben Gattie, Founder & CEO of The Working Capitol or TWC.

Ben spent 18 years in real estate (and is still obsessed with buildings and their potential). He also makes really good pizza!

The Working Capitol’s hub was once a biscuit factory in the 1920s. TWC is one of the pioneers in the co-working space in Singapore where they opened their doors 8 years ago. They build neighbourhoods and are home to over 150 industry leading enterprises, retail and F&B brands (including Elevandi and Shake Shack).

In his talk, he speaks about Liquidation. And how it may be the best thing that ever happened to him.

Our speaker today is Bo Chen, Co-founder & CTO of Xendit.

Bo founded Xendit at the age of 23 and enjoys putting together original rap performances at company offsites. He graduated early from University of California, Berkeley to start working at startups as quickly as possible.

Xendit is the first Indonesian tech startup to pass through the acclaimed incubator YCombinator, S15, as well as the first B2B Payments company in Indonesia that achieved a Unicorn status.

He tells us to Become a cockroach and to learn to Survive to thrive. Here’s how..

Our speaker today is Ryan Selkis, Co-founder & CEO of Messari - a crypto data analytics, tooling, and research platform with a mission to promote transparency, rebuild trust and power smarter and safer decisions in the space.

Ryan is a father of five - four human children and one startup. He is a vocal crypto missionary, passionate about the need for thoughtful regulation and better disclosure practices. Fun fact - Ryan has interviewed three presidential candidates in the last three years.

In his bold, and provocative talk, he tells us to send more mean tweets. Here’s why.

Our speaker today is Martha Mghendi-Fisher, Founder & Executive Board Chair and Angel Investor at European Women Payments Network.

Martha’s whole business model is based on her being the most stupid person in the room. There is no ‘’me’’ in the companies/organisations she has founded, there is always ‘’us’’. Martha collects people. Her work focuses on women, children, minorities and the underestimated.

Martha is not afraid nor intimidated by anyone. She strongly believes that if she wanted to have The Pope come speak at one of her events, she could just simply ask him. The worst he can say is no. When she was a little girl, Martha wanted to be a nun but it didn’t turn out that way! Another fun fact - she finds swimming pools disgusting!

She thinks we all don’t have to build unicorns- we can be a waddle of penguins

Our speaker today is Christian Frahm, Founder & CEO of United Fintech.

Christian grew up in Denmark, is a father of 4 and married to his dear wife who he met when he was 18. Ever since he was a small boy, he always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Christian has worked at the intersection between technology and finance before even the term fintech was coined.

United Fintech, which Christian founded in 2020 is a digital transformation platform helping banks, asset managers and bigger institutions transition to the digital world. Prior to that, he founded Finalto in 2008 and took it from scratch to exit in less than 10 years for $120m!

In his talk, he speaks about Defying nine lives: How to find the courage in your heart to keep going.

Our speaker today is Peter De Caluwe, CEO of Thunes.

Peter is the Belgian pioneer of Fintechs in emerging markets who effortlessly juggles payments, micropayments, and microlending – consider him the fintech triple threat! Besides being a CEO by day; he's also a passionate diver in his free time which in turn helps him skillfully navigate both boardrooms and deep-sea depths.

With a career that reads like a financial saga, Peter's playbook includes 30 acquisitions – turns out, he doesn't just navigate deals, he dives into them headfirst!

His talk today is titled From burning to turning to earning. The inside story of a business resurrection. We hope you will enjoy listening to Peter.

Our speaker today is Anna Gong, Founder & CEO of Perx Technologies. Otherwise known as the godmother of Software as a service, Anna is a serial risk taker. Having helped build and scale 4 B2B startups in Silicon Valley, she decided to do another one, this time in Asia, and she still said this may not be her last one.

Anna wanted to go into performing arts but instead had a sliding door moment after meeting a Stanford boy and followed him into the tech sector in Silicon Valley.

Anna loves sports and the spirit of competitive sports and can sometimes get a little too excited, especially when watching a kids soccer game. She also happens to be terrible at picking gifts for people but is saved by her new assistant, ChatGPT.

Anna talks about Beating the startup odds: How she survived 3 valleys of death and you can too.

Our speaker today is Dr Tianyi Jiang, Co-founder & CEO of AvePoint.

TJ came to America at 11 years old not knowing a word of English. He worked his way to the top of his class, earning degrees from Cornell and NYU, including a PhD in Machine Learning & Data Mining. He also survived the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, which changed the course of his life.

TJ grew AvePoint from two people in a public library to a global software powerhouse with 2,200 employees around the world. After bootstrapping for 20 years, they went public in 2021 at a $2 billion valuation. Fun fact - TJ took superstition to new heights during his high school wrestling career. For all four years, he wore the same lucky socks to every single match.

TJ speaks about Bouncing back stronger: 4 ways to turn failure into fuel for success

Our speaker today is Ken Zheng, Founder & CEO of NEXTPLS (aka Panda Remit).

Ken, a modern-day romantic comedy lead, won a dream trip on China's popular dating show but missed out due to a leg injury from basketball. Despite subsequent knee surgeries, he pivoted from TV fame to successful entrepreneurship.

His company Panda Remit began with a tight-knit team of 17, and remarkably, nearly all original members remain part of the company after five years, showcasing an unwavering bond matching their robust business model. Panda Remit doesn't just transfer money; they're revolutionising it - just like Michelangelo's artistry, where borders are mere lines on a map and money flows as boundless as paint on a canvas.

In his talk, he boldly urges you to Ask yourself: What would you do if you were not afraid?