In this episode we sit down with Sara Rona, Managing Director at Silicon Valley Bank. Sara is based in NYC and brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career in finance, including roles at HSBC, the World Bank, and Deutsche Bank, and provides unique insights into her current role covering the UK, Europe, MENA region, and Australia/New Zealand. The conversation delves into her professional journey, and the evolving startup ecosystem in the MENA region. Sara discusses the region's dynamic tech landscape, investment trends, and practical advice for founders and investors aiming to expand globally.

Whether you're a startup founder, venture capitalist, or just keen on understanding the innovation economy, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways!

In this episode, we sit down with Alexander Lempka, Founder & CEO of Connect Earth, a global Climate Infrastructure platform for Financial Institutions.

Alex shares how Connect Earth is enabling banks, insurers, and accounting firms to access accurate carbon footprint insights through AI-driven models. We explore their journey from concept to execution, including how they’ve enriched billions of transactions and secured major contracts with key banking groups. Alex discusses the critical role of partnerships for scaling their solutions and reducing integration challenges. He highlights how their platform supports regulatory compliance and democratizes carbon data for both businesses and consumers. We also dive into Connect Earth’s market strategy, focusing on their expansion in the UAE and Latam, and their focus on helping businesses and SMEs make sustainable decisions with accessible carbon data.

Tune in to learn how Connect Earth is reshaping sustainability in financial services and discover valuable lessons on scaling impact with climate tech!

In this episode we hear from Vladimira Briestenska, Co-Founder of Neem, Pakistan’s leading embedded finance platform, reshaping financial inclusion with a double-impact model that empowers both businesses and their end-users.

Vladimira shares her fascinating career journey from global human rights advocacy to tech entrepreneurship. She discusses the pivotal moments that led her to co-found Neem and her mission to bridge financial inclusion gaps in emerging markets like Pakistan.

We delve into Neem’s core offerings—payments infrastructure, earned wage access, and lending—and explore the innovative strategies behind Neem’s success, including its reliance on partnerships and zero-cost marketing. Vladimira also sheds light on the challenges of dealing with established incumbents and building trust with large financial institutions in a highly competitive landscape.

In this episode of ViaDubai, we sit down with PK Srivastava, Co-Founder & CEO of Daleel, a groundbreaking fintech marketplace aimed at enhancing financial literacy and optimizing the connection between banks and consumers in the Middle East.

PK's journey spans from launching multiple startups to establishing Daleel, which addresses critical gaps in the financial services sector. Daleel's innovative model involves onboarding banks at no initial cost, providing them with a robust platform for managing and marketing their products, and offering an annual subscription for access to valuable features. This approach moves away from traditional commission-based models, focusing instead on scalable, data-driven insights that help banks tailor their offerings and target their campaigns effectively.

We explore how Daleel’s platform uses personalized tools, such as quizzes, to engage users and generate actionable insights. PK also shares his vision for Daleel's expansion, including the upcoming launches in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and the long-term goal of covering the MENA region. He discusses the importance of localization, regulatory compliance, and adapting to diverse market needs.

In this episode of ViaDubai, we sit down with Raghu Kumar, Co-Founder & CEO of TradingLeagues, the world's first real money gaming app for cryptos, stocks and forex.

Raghu’s journey is nothing short of remarkable—from turning $20,000 into $2 million by age 22 to building Upstox, one of India’s fastest-growing brokerages. We delve into the inception of TradingLeagues, and how the platform is designed to attract a new generation of traders by simplifying market access and making trading both engaging and educational. We also discuss TradingLeagues' innovative go-to-market strategy, emphasizing referral programs and early monetization. Raghu also shares his vision for the future, including plans for global expansion, the potential introduction of derivative products, and the importance of balancing product development with strategic marketing. He offers key insights into the significance of understanding your audience, leveraging data to scale effectively, and the value of experimentation and calculated risks in entrepreneurship.

Join us to gain valuable insights into the future of trading and the entrepreneurial journey of one of the industry's most innovative minds!

This episode of ViaDubai features a deep dive with Rami Djebari, the co-founder of Sorbet, the all-in-one solution for creative freelancers.

Based in Riyadh and building for creators worldwide, Sorbet is also backed by Antler MENAP.

Learn how Sorbet is addressing three key challenges faced by freelancers in emerging markets: limited access to financial services, complex and delayed payments, and the need for a streamlined business management tool. They enable freelancers to make and receive payments using a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, provide fast and low-cost transactions, and offer a platform that streamlines the freelancer workflow. In this episode, Rami shares his unique journey from Montreal to the Middle East, why he chose Riyadh to grow Sorbet, and how they're addressing key challenges faced by freelancers in emerging markets, especially across the MENA region.

In this episode of ViaDubai, we sit down with Erik Gordon, Co-Founder & CEO of Flash, a digital payment enablement company operating out of Egypt. Erik’s journey is captivating—from studying biomedical engineering and interning in microfinance in Uganda, to investment banking in New York, and eventually moving to Dubai and Egypt to immerse himself in the emerging markets economy. Erik discusses the decision to move to Egypt and his thesis that led to founding Flash. We explore how Flash addresses problems in Egypt’s payment ecosystem, focusing on cash on delivery through QR codes and enhancing e-commerce with easier digital payments.

Erik highlights Flash’s ambitions to become a comprehensive financial service for consumers and businesses, improving financial literacy, offering transaction insights, and reducing cash handling inefficiencies. We delve into the operational challenges, higher than expected adoption rates of digital wallets, and the comparison of QR code vs. NFC payments.

Join us to learn about the revolutionary impact Flash is making in Egypt’s payment landscape and Erik’s invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Great chat with Hani Azzam, Founder of Viaka, and Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank.

Viaka is a premium member network dedicated to connecting founders, investors, and operators across the MENA region and beyond. Discover how Viaka facilitates knowledge sharing and support through its platform, and learn about its network monetization strategies, including digital media sponsorships, community memberships, and consulting services. Hani also discusses Viaka's impressive traction in event attendance, newsletter subscribers, and community growth. He discusses the most common strategies startups have used to expand to adjacent MENA markets, and the relevant merits of acquisition versus localization when entering new markets.