Couchonomics with Arjun

Couchonomics with Arjun

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Couchonomics with Arjun episodes

  • How Finternet Labs Is Building the Internet Layer for Finance

    Is today’s financial system fit for a digital-first world?
    Not quite — and Siddharth Shetty is here to tell us why.
    In this episode of Couchonomics, Arjun speaks with Finternet Labs CEO Siddharth Shetty, one of the architects behind India’s UPI and  Account Aggregator framework, to unpack the vision for Finternet — a universal financial infrastructure layer designed to empower users, build trust, and unlock global interoperability.

    We explore how fragmented rails, legacy systems, and a lack of verifiability are holding back progress, and how Finternet could be the solution that brings it all together.

    👉 What you’ll learn:
    - Why identity, credentials & asset control need to shift back to users
    - How Finternet coexists with CBDCs, stablecoins & real-time payment systems
    - The role of governments vs private sector in future infrastructure
    - Middle East leapfrogging, tokenization & AI-driven transactions

    🔗 Watch, learn, and join the conversation about the future of digital finance.


    Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
    Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
    Thunes https://thunes.com/
    Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
    E& https://www.eand.com/
    Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
    SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
    Hala https://hala.com/

    Discover how the Finternet is reimagining finance for a connected world. Tap the link in the show notes to learn more. 👇
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qIw8wSbw26mw8uLXIK8SohmGvvJobcPX/view?usp=sharing 

    Explore Finternet Labs: https://finternetlab.io/


    Chapters:
    00:00 Episode Highlights
    01:58 Exploring Finternet Labs
    03:01 Understanding Financial Infrastructure
    05:33 The Vision of Finternet Labs
    13:19 Governance and Dispute Resolution
    25:02 Future of Financial Systems
    27:07 Web3 and Coexistence with Traditional Financial Systems
    29:15 Interoperability Challenges and Solutions
    31:42 Cross-Border Transactions and Emerging Technologies
    36:12 The Role of Digital Identity in Financial Ecosystems
    40:45 Centralization vs. Decentralization in Digital Identity
    44:13 Introduction to Finnet and Its Objectives
    46:34 The Finternet Labs: Structure and Goals
    50:21 Opportunities for the Middle East in Digital Finance
    53:01 Conclusion and Future Events

    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

    Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

    55 min
  • Stablecoins, Wallets, and the Rise of Embedded Cross-Border Payments

    The future of payments won’t be card-swiped or cash-counted — it’ll be fast, digital, and deeply integrated.

    In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Floris de Kort, CEO of Thunes, joins to unpack what it really takes to build a global payments network across 130+ markets, from wallets to banks to mobile rails.

    What’s inside:
    - Why real-time payments still face real-world friction
    - How Thunes is turning compliance into a competitive edge
    - The rise of B2B payouts — and why corporates are driving the volume
    - Why MENA is now a proving ground for wallet innovation
    - The growing role of stablecoins in global finance

    If you're building in fintech, infrastructure, or cross-border payments, this one’s essential listening.
    🎧 Watch or listen on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.


    Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
    Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
    Thunes https://thunes.com/
    Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
    E& https://www.eand.com/
    Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
    SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
    Hala https://hala.com/



    Chapters:
    00:00 Episode Highlights
    00:48 Introduction
    01:34 State of the Payments Industry
    03:39 The Rise of B2B Payments
    05:33 Real-Time Payments and Global Trends
    11:26 The Role of Stablecoins in Modern Payments
    20:34 Regulation and the Future of Stablecoins
    23:27 Cost and Efficiency of Modern Payment Systems
    23:52 Regulatory Evolution and Market Disruption
    24:17 Thunes' Recent Milestones and Future Plans
    24:50 Challenges and Strategies in the US Market
    25:30 Investment and Growth Focus
    26:29 AI Integration in Financial Services
    29:41 Navigating Complex Regulatory Environments
    38:37 Middle East Expansion and Local Strategies
    42:23 Conclusion and Future Outlook

    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

    Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

    44 min
  • Stablecoins, Tokenization & Regulation: Crypto’s Next Chapter

    Crypto isn’t dead, it’s going institutional.

     In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Rifad Mahasneh, CEO of OKX MENA, joins the show to unpack what real digital asset adoption looks like beyond the headlines.

    We explore how OKX is building for scale, trust, and regulation - especially in the UAE, where crypto is becoming infrastructure, not just innovation.

    🎯 What’s inside:
     • Post-FTX trust rebuild: custody, compliance & proof-of-reserves
     • Stablecoins, CBDCs & the future of programmable money
     • Tokenization with real-world utility
     • Why the UAE is leading the global charge in crypto regulation

    Full episode out now on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.


    Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
    Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
    Thunes https://thunes.com/
    Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
    E& https://www.eand.com/
    Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
    SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
    Hala https://hala.com/



    Chapters:

    00:00 Episode Highlights

    00:56 Welcome to Couchonomics

    01:48 Exploring OKX and Crypto Basics

    03:29 Why the UAE for Crypto?

    06:34 Understanding Crypto Terminology

    09:37 State of Crypto in 2025

    12:57 Institutional Adoption of Crypto

    17:04 Bitcoin: Proof of Value

    19:24 Centralized vs Decentralized Finance

    24:00 Regulatory Landscape and Challenges

    28:59 Regulatory Challenges in Blockchain

    31:00 Innovating in the Crypto Space

    32:32 Educating and Differentiating in the Market

    41:04 Stablecoins and Their Impact

    45:06 The Future of CBDCs and Stablecoins

    49:46 Tokenization of Real-World Assets

    54:50 OKX's Future Plans and Market Expansion

    57:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts



    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

    Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

    59 min
  • Scaling SME Lending Without Burning Capital

    💸 What’s the real fintech miracle? Lending to SMEs — and staying alive 9 years later.

    In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we’re joined by Nikhilesh Goel, Co-Founder & CEO of Validus, Southeast Asia’s largest SME financing platform.
    We unpack how Validus scaled to $5B+ in credit across the region by avoiding the hype and building disciplined, anchor-based lending models that actually work.

    💡 Why SME lending is a graveyard for most fintechs
     💡 Why 90% of Validus' capital comes from banks, not VCs
     💡 AI that serves the ops, not the pitch
     💡 How they scaled across SEA without shortcuts

    🎧 Full episode now live on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Watch if you're building real fintech — not just noise.

    #CouchonomicsWithArjun #Validus #SMELending #Fintech #DigitalBanking #AnchorLending #SoutheastAsia #FutureOfFinance

    Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
    Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
    Thunes https://thunes.com/
    Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
    E& https://www.eand.com/
    Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
    SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
    Hala https://hala.com/

    chapters:
    00:00 Episode Highlights
    01:05 Meet Nikhilesh, CEO of Validus
    01:56 The Genesis of Validus
    03:05 Navigating the SME Financing Landscape
    06:08 Challenges and Solutions in SME Lending
    09:00 The Role of Technology in SME Financing
    11:32 Supply Chain Financing Model
    18:57 The Future of SME Financing
    29:05 Building Relationships with SMEs
    31:13 Anchor-Based Lending 
    32:07 Regulatory Challenges in Indonesia and Thailand
    37:04 Ethical Lending Practices
    42:57 Competition in the FinTech Space
    49:40 Exportability and Future Plans
    51:42 Impact of Global Supply Chain Disruptions
    52:31 Adopting AI and Frontier Technologies
    56:24 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

    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

    Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

    1 hr 2 min
  • Neo Ventures, Tokenized Assets & the Future of Wholesale Banking

    AI isn’t a campaign. It’s a core banking reset.

    In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we’re joined by Amith Rajan, CEO of Neo Ventures and Head of Digital Wholesale Banking at Mashreq, for a candid conversation on how AI, tokenization, and infrastructure transformation are reshaping the banking stack from the inside out.

    We unpack:
    - Why "rip and replace" is a myth and what real legacy evolution looks like
    -How Mashreq is deploying AI across KYC, onboarding, and customer insights
    -The role of tokenized assets, CBDCs, and smart contracts in wholesale banking
    - How Neo Ventures is exporting IP and scaling infrastructure beyond capital
    - Why culture,  not technology, is the biggest barrier to digital transformation


    🎧 Full episode now streaming on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.
    🎧 Watch now and subscribe for more conversations on the future of finance.

    Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
    Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
    Thunes https://thunes.com/
    Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
    E& https://www.eand.com/
    Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
    SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
    Hala https://hala.com/


    Chapters:
    00:00 Episode Highlights
    00:43 Welcome to Couchonomics
    01:48 Aligning Dual Roles in Banking
    04:11 Challenges in Wholesale Banking
    06:51 The Role of AI in Banking
    11:14 FinTech and Digital Assets
    25:14 The Future of Tokenization
    27:04 CBDCs and Stablecoins: A Comparative Analysis
    29:14 Exploring Digital Assets in the Lab
    29:47 Introduction to New Ventures
    30:49 Venture Building and Investment Strategies
    35:45 Scouting and Partnerships with Fintechs
    39:08 Challenges and Opportunities in the VC Landscape
    46:17 Advice for Institutions Entering the CVC Space
    48:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    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

    Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

    50 min
  • Fixing the Core: Why Legacy Banking Infrastructure Can’t Be Patched

    The core of banking is broken, and duct-taping legacy systems won’t fix it.
    This week on Couchonomics with Arjun, I’m joined by Myles Bertrand, CEO of Tuum, the modular core banking platform built in Estonia and now scaling across Europe and the GCC.
    Tuum isn’t selling digital lipstick. They’re rebuilding the real plumbing of modern banking — one composable, cloud-native layer at a time.
    💡 In this episode:
    - Why full core replacement is a myth — and composability is the real unlock
    - How to modernize without breaking everything (or everyone)
    - What it takes to scale infra platforms into the GCC
    - Where AI fits in — and where it doesn’t
    - Why institutional banking might be the biggest opportunity for transformation

    If you’re in banking, infra, SaaS, or scaling into MENA, this episode is required listening.

    #couchonomicswitharjun  #CoreBanking #BankingInfrastructure #DigitalBanking #ComposableInfra #Fintech #MENA #GCCStartups #AIinBanking #Tuum #FutureOfFinance #BankTech #SaaS #Leadership

    Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
    Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
    Thunes https://thunes.com/
    Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
    E& https://www.eand.com/
    Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
    SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
    Hala https://hala.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/
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
    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

    00:00 Episode Highlights
    01:59 Myles' Journey to Estonia
    02:58 The Story of TOMB
    05:40 Challenges and Trends in Banking
    10:18 Cloud and Banking Infrastructure
    15:17 Complexity in Banking Systems
    20:03 Regulatory and Cultural Challenges
    25:38 Competitive Landscape in Core Banking
    26:41 Banking as a Service Evolution
    27:45 Challenges and Opportunities in the Market
    29:46 The Role of Technology Providers
    31:20 Core Banking and Integration Strategies
    40:03 AI in Banking: Potential and Challenges
    45:57 Cultural Shifts and Technological Adoption
    49:12 Regional Focus and Future Plans
    51:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    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

    Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

    53 min
  • What VCs Get Wrong About Building Durable Startups with Tim Levene

    In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we sit down with Tim Levene, CEO of Augmentum Fintech, the UK’s only publicly listed fintech venture capital firm.

    From going public to backing infrastructure instead of hype, Tim shares what permanent capital allows that traditional VC structures don’t and why he believes the next decade of fintech will be won with discipline, not just disruption.

    What we cover:
    🛋️ Why Augmentum chose public markets over LP cycles
    🛋️ The real story behind growth-at-all-costs and its fallout
    🛋️ Why the GCC is becoming central to Augmentum’s investment strategy
    🛋️ What it takes to stay relevant when the hype fades

    🎧 Now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.


    Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
    Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
    Thunes https://thunes.com/
    Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
    E& https://www.eand.com/
    Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
    SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
    Hala https://hala.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/
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
    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


    Chapters:
    00:00 – Episode Highlights
    02:45 – Why Augmentum chose to go public
    06:10 – Permanent capital vs traditional VC fundraising
    10:25 – What LPs and public shareholders want in today’s market
    13:55 – How Augmentum balances patient capital with fintech agility
    17:20 – The post-2021 correction: resetting the fintech ecosystem
    21:40 – Fintech infrastructure or B2C buzz: where the real value is now
    25:00 – Operator-led investing and what it means for founders
    29:15 – What makes a good VC-founder relationship
    33:40 – Augmentum’s evolving interest in the Middle East
    37:00 – Dubai and GCC as emerging fintech investment hubs
    41:30 – Tim’s take on profitability vs scale in VC
    45:05 – Outlook for fintech in the next 3–5 years
    48:50 – Closing reflections and final takeaways

    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

    Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

    57 min
  • Why Most Digital Banks Fail - And How Engine by Starling Is Flipping the Script

    The next banking stack won’t just be fast — it has to be human.

    In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Nick Drewett, Chief Commercial Officer at Engine by Starling, joins the conversation to share what it actually takes to launch and scale a digital bank — not in theory, but in practice.

    Engine is the tech spinout from Starling Bank - one of the world’s first profitable digital banks - and it’s now powering next-gen banking infrastructure globally.

    We cover:
    - How Salt Bank launched in under 12 months
    - Why most “modern” stacks still act like legacy
    - Where AI adds real value in banking
    - Why cost-to-serve is the new frontline
    - What it means to localise for the GCC

    Engine isn’t theory — it’s the tech behind Starling Bank’s success.

    📍🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube & Apple Podcasts.


    Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
    Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
    Thunes https://thunes.com/
    Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
    E& https://www.eand.com/
    Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
    SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
    Hala https://hala.com/

    Chapters:
    00:00 Episode Highlights
    01:07Introduction
    01:15 Meet Nick Drewett and Engine
    01:53 The Story of Starling Bank
    02:23 Starling Bank's Success and Customer Service
    05:50 Introduction to Engine
    08:12 Engine's Global Expansion
    13:40 Case Study: Salt Bank in Romania
    20:15 Case Study: AMP Bank in Australia
    21:55 The Value of Banking Relationships
    22:52 Competition and Mobile App Strategy
    24:16 Global Banking Challenges and Localization
    26:40 Trust and Managed Services
    30:15 Technology and Banking as a Service
    38:34 Growth and Expansion Plans
    41:36 Final Thoughts and Future of Banking

    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

    Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

    46 min
  • Beyond the Buzz: Beehive’s Real Playbook for SME Lending

    There’s a $260B SME financing gap in MENA, and most players are still offering copy-paste solutions.

    In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Craig Moore, Founder and CEO of Beehive, shares how one of the region’s original fintechs is tackling real problems with real results.

    Since 2014, Beehive has built a lending model that combines technology, regulatory know-how, and operational depth to serve the segment banks continue to overlook.

    In this conversation, we explore:
     • What SME lending looks like on the ground in the GCC
     • Why Beehive shifted from peer-to-peer to institutional capital
     • How investor appetite is changing, from family offices to global VCs
     • The practical role of AI in credit decisioning
     • Beehive’s plans for expansion into Saudi Arabia, Oman, and more

    📌 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

    #CouchonomicsWithArjun #SMELending #Fintech #DigitalBanking #MiddleEastFintech #AltCredit #VentureCapital #GCCStartups #FinancialInclusion #FounderVoices

    Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
    Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
    Thunes https://thunes.com/
    Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
    E& https://www.eand.com/
    Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
    SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
    Hala https://hala.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/
    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
    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

    Chapters:
    00:00 Episode Highlights
    00:50 Intro
    01:37 Beehive's Origin and Mission
    04:22 Challenges in SME Lending
    12:45 Technology's Role in Lending
    15:08 Beehive's Evolution and Strategy
    21:29 Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook
    30:11 The SME Lending Landscape
    30:43 Challenges and Competition in SME Lending
    31:42 Significant Milestones and Growth
    33:16 BNPL and Merchant Lending
    35:46 Investment and Corporate Dynamics
    40:53 Embracing AI and Technology
    44:21 Blockchain and Tokenization
    47:09 Regional Expansion and Market Strategies
    51:34 Future Vision and Focus
    55:40 Final Thoughts

    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

    Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

    57 min
  • Conviction Over Hype: What Great VCs Look Like Now

    The Venture Model Broke. But Startups Are Still Building.
    In this episode, Arjun is joined by Devin Kohli, General Partner at Outward VC, for a candid conversation on what’s next for venture capital.

    They unpack:
    - Shifting VC trends in Europe, MENA, and the USA
    - Outward’s bets on Curve, Vauban, Bud & more
    - AI hype vs. real vertical value
    - Tokenisation, digital assets & future financial infrastructure
    - Emerging tech hubs across Japan, MENA, Southeast Asia

    Plus, Devin shares what conviction really looks like in a post-hype market — and why MENA founders are ones to watch.

    No pitch decks. No jargon. Just a candid chat about cycles, conviction, and building through uncertainty.

    🎧 Episode now live on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

    Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
    Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
    Thunes https://thunes.com/
    Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
    E& https://www.eand.com/
    Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
    SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
    Hala https://hala.com/



    chapters:
    00:00 Episode Highlights
    00:51 Introduction
    02:01 State of the Nation: VC Insights for 2023 and Beyond
    02:52 Impact of Global Events on VC and Startups
    13:43 The Genesis and Philosophy of Outward VC
    22:20 Challenges and Success Stories in VC Investments
    30:05 Key Qualities and Red Flags in Founders
    31:01 Identifying Key Qualities in Founders
    33:26 Quantitative Aspects of Evaluating Founders
    34:02 Emerging Sectors and Avoiding Herd Mentality
    35:15 Focus on Wealth Tech and Asset Management
    44:07 Challenges and Opportunities in Europe and the UK
    51:37 Middle East as a Growing Hub for FinTech
    54:12 Concluding Thoughts and Future Prospects

    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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About Couchonomics with Arjun

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