Episode 65: FinTech Journeys Around The World: Pakistan

The Breaking Banks Europe World Tour landed in Pakistan! The country is an absolute force to be recognized with a tremendous potential build by its stakeholders. Talented entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem players, along with a rich and specific history to be discovered. This week local industry leaders - Nadeem Shaikh (Neem Exponential), Taha Anis and Mubariz Siddiqui, tell us the story of the region, through their local eyes. The session was moderated by the podcast's Executive Producer, Matteo Rizzi. More on our guests: Nadeem:Nadeem is a recognized thought leader and practitioner of innovation both within the startup world and among large financial institutions, with an unmatched global network and a commitment to driving the reinvention of financial services. Nadeem is a former Head of Global Financial Services at Veon (and Jazz), with a deep understanding of Financial Services overall and within Pakistan. He co-founded and served as a CEO at the Anthemis Group, a pioneer venture capital firm in FinTech with over 500 million USD assets under management. Anthemis Group has invested in over 80 companies in the US and Europe. Previously, Nadeem served as a President at the First Data International, with deep expertise in payments in developed and emerging markets. Nadeem is a Board Member at several impact-driven businesses and charities globally including Access Afya, Prospero World, and CARE Pakistan.Neem Exponential is a Pakistan-focused venture builder with a mission to enable Financial Wellness for every Pakistan and create social impact through building resilient companies. We invest and grow companies and leaders that transform industries through embedded finance. Founded by experienced entrepreneurs, builders and investors with a deep knowledge of the Pakistani landscape, Neem Exponential supports its portfolio through intellectual, execution, network and financial capital.Website: www.neemexponential.comLinkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nrshaikh/ Taha:Taha has 10 plus years of co-founder experience, most recently with logistics, food delivery, and payments. He has previously worked in the healthcare space. Taha is currently working as the Executive Director at Burger King Pakistan.Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahaanis/Website: https://bkdelivery.pk/ Mubariz: Mubariz is a legal practitioner with extensive experience working with startups, VCs, and angel investors in Pakistan. He frequently works with regulators on policy initiatives to facilitate foreign investment and innovative early-stage businesses in Pakistan. Currently, he is the General Counsel at Sarmayacar, a Pakistan-focused venture capital fund. He has been practicing law since 2008. In his last position at Hub Power Company, Mubariz was the head of legal for two China Pakistan Economic Corridor power projects in Thar with a cumulative project cost of more than US$ 1 billion. Previously, Mubariz worked at RIAA Barker Gillette, and Orr Dignam & Co.Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mubarizsiddiqui/Sarmayacar: https://www.sarmayacar.com/