Couchonomics with Arjun

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 words 

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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. 💸📈

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Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
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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 Words 

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

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
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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.

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: 

• Why David invented eCash, and how his work pioneered the way for cryptocurrency to be developed in its present form
• David’s involvement in exposing cryptographic weaknesses in payment systems
• His latest work: “Better Than Money”, inspired by the shortfallings of the current financial system
• How “Better Than Money” could address global financial inequity
• Barriers to financial improvement, and how blockchain-driven solutions could benefit the unbanked
• The role of both commercial and central banks in the evolving financial landscape
• How “Better Than Money” could coexist with CBDCs and stablecoins
• The potential of “Better Than Money” to address inefficiencies in cross-border payments 

To learn more about “Better Than Money” and David’s ongoing work, visit his website: https://chaum.com/

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
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In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Eyad Albayouk, General Manager at Flat6Labs.

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: 

• The nature of Saudi's startup scene
• The 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 startups
• Government actions in funding mechanisms, non-funding mechanisms, and regulatory interventions 

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

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/@couchonomics

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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 KSA
• The liquidity gap faced by SMEs and how to address it
• Examples of government initiatives supporting SMEs
• The possibility of banks changing their attitude toward SMEs
• Whether 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 years 

Thank you to Fintech Saudi for opening up their space to us for the recording of this episode. 

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

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/@couchonomics

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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.

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: 

• Their general frustration with traditional investment options
• The pitfalls of using trading platforms without proper training
• The 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 AI
• Challenges in B2C wealth management
• What differentiates FinaMaze from other "robo-advisors"

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

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
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"We're behind the scenes. We make money move."

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: 

• The emergence of national payment infrastructures, whether they're commercially owned, state-owned, or mutual/cooperative models
• All 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 

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

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/
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In today's high-paced corporate world, the importance of wellness cannot be emphasized enough. As firms compete in the war for talent, a new dimension has emerged as a magnet for the modern workforce: wellness. In this episode, we dive deep into this crucial topic with an industry stalwart.

Meet Diego Carrete, Chief Wellness Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Beyond his pivotal role at the UAE's largest bank, Diego is a fitness aficionado, guiding busy executives on their path to peak wellness. His journey, filled with ups and downs, offers invaluable insights for anyone aiming for holistic health.

Diego unveils the crucial role of a Chief Wellness Officer, emphasizing the holistic development of an employee, both mentally and physically. Why are new generations prioritizing wellness over paychecks? Diego dissects the rise of wellness in the corporate value proposition.

Other Discussions:

• The dynamic world of online earning and the shifting perspectives of young generations.
• The importance of physical wellness as a foundation for emotional and mental health.
• Navigating through different stages of weight loss and the nuances of metabolic rates.
• The indispensable role of sleep in our wellness routine.
• Quick wellness hacks for busy professionals: The 10-minute body, mind, and soul routine.

At the heart of this enlightening discussion lies a message of balance, prioritizing oneself, and the imperative to evolve with changing times. The corporate world is shifting, with wellness at its core, and leaders like Diego Carrete are at the forefront of this movement. Tune in to learn, get inspired, and transform your approach to holistic well-being.

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

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/@couchonomics

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Dive into the vibrant and ever-evolving world of FinTech as we explore the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2023 which is happening 15-17 November 2023. This is the global event where policy, finance, and technology not only meet but converge to reshape global economies.

Joining Arjun for this special episode is Pat Patel, the Executive Director of Elevandi. Having led the International FinTech Office at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and played a pivotal role in shaping the digital economy, Pat offers a unique insider's perspective into the preparations and expectations of SFF.

Pat reveals some of the major industry leaders and key figures marking their presence at the event, including insights about Ajay Bhanga, the new president of the World Bank, and Eric Jing from Ant Group.

From policy discussions and financial tech showcases to its vast size resembling six giant warehouse hangers, Pat emphasizes the diversity and scale of the event. He also highlights the key thematic focuses of SFF this year, such as re-architecting the monetary system and the pivotal role of AI.

Other topics discussed:

• The significance of Ravi Menon's last festival address.
• Importance of talent pipelines in the global economic climate.
• The expansive evening festivities, turning Singapore's Club Street into a week-long street party.
• The challenge of navigating the vast offerings of SFF.
• Arjun's humorous take on the need for digital visiting cards and energy drinks to make the most of the festival.

Tune in to get a comprehensive understanding of what to expect from SFF 2023 and why, if you're serious about FinTech, it's an event you cannot afford to miss. Follow the journey with Arjun and Pat Patel as they discuss the nuances, attractions, and future trajectories of the festival. Don't miss out on this exclusive insider's view into the world's largest fintech event!

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

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
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