Jul 15
Could Your Data Become Your Next Asset?
Every day we create data, but almost none of us know who really owns it.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, André Vellozo, Founder and CEO of DrumWave, joins the show to explore one of the biggest questions facing the digital economy: what if people could own their data t ... Show More
52m 50s
Jun 30
Can AI Build Fintech Unicorns Faster?
Can Europe build the next generation of global fintech leaders?In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Stefan Klestil, General Partner Fintech EMEA, joins the show to discuss venture capital, fintech investing, AI, digital assets, founder psychology, and why the Middle East a ... Show More
49m 26s
Jun 23
Why Open Finance Could Change UAE Banking
Is digital banking really about technology anymore?It is becoming a battle for customer relationships, trust, data, and who owns the financial experience.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Raheel Ahmed, Group CEO of RAKBANK, returns to discuss open finance, AI, stablecoi ... Show More
54m 43s
Nov 2024
918. Insights: How to launch in the Middle East
On this episode of Fintech Insider Insights, host Benjamin Ensor is joined by some great guests to discuss expansion into the Middle East.
Imagine, and if you’re listening to this podcast you might not need to imagine, that you’re the founder of a successful fintech. You’re doing ... Show More
51m 51s
Oct 2023
The evolution of the fintech ecosystem in the region - conversation with Hisham Al-Falih, Co-Founder & CEO of Lean Technologies
In this episode Sheinal Jayantilal - partner at McKinsey - sits down with Hisham Al-Falih, Co-Founder & CEO of Lean Technologies, MENA-based open-banking platform, to discuss the evolution of the fintech ecosystem in the region over the years and the next frontier for the company ... Show More
9m 9s
Oct 2025
Building Startups, Raising Capital, and What VCs Look For — Walid Mansour, Co-Founder & CEO of MEVP
Walid Mansour is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) — one of the leading venture capital firms in the MENA region. With over a decade of experience in investing, Walid didn’t just invest in successful startups — he played a key role in building some ... Show More
55m 53s
May 2024
Startup acquisitions & fund raising, Egypt's ride-hailing issue, and crypto regulations
Hala Insurance founder Walid Dib has sold his new startup CallMi, Walid Shihabi's rent now, pay later startup Keyper has secured $4M in equity & $30M in sukuk, the Egyptian government may launch its own ride-hailing service, and we give you the highlights from the Qatar Economic ... Show More
36m 51s
Sep 2025
How to Build Startups, Raise Capital, and Win Over VCs — Walid Mansour (Venture Capitalist, Co-Founder & CEO of MEVP)
Walid Mansour is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP) — one of the leading venture capital firms in the MENA region. With over a decade of experience in investing, Walid didn’t just invest in successful startups — he played a key role in building some ... Show More
55m 53s
Sep 2025
997. News: Revolut’s UAE licence, Pipe’s partnership with Uber, and Accion Ventures’ inclusion fund
About this episode: Host Benjamin Ensor, Director of Research & Strategy, is joined by a fantastic panel of guests as we dive into some of the biggest stories from the worlds of fintech, banking, and wider financial services this week. This week's guests: Luke Voiles - CEO of Pip ... Show More
1h 4m
In terms of fintech adoption, Egypt has been a little slow on the take compared to other nations. However, companies like ValU are changing that. As innovative companies and dynamic leaders forge a path to the future, Egypt emerges as one of the most exciting regions on the fintech map. Our guest and guide today is Walid Hassouna, founder and CEO of ValU. He ... Show More
<h3>🔍 Topics include:</h3><ul><li>How Emirates NBD became a pioneer in Open Finance</li><li>Building secure, scalable, API-first banking platforms</li><li>Real-world fintech partnerships (and what went wrong)</li><li>From core banking to GitHub Copilot: AI’s growing role</li><li ... Show More
