Viaka Newsletter - Highlighting a MENA Fintech and Digital Payments Expert Network Member!
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Hi everyone! This week, we’re continuing our new series of interviews and network highlights. We’re now featuring members of the Viaka community who are active in the MENA ecosystem.
Our next feature is Bobby Kakar. Bobby currently works at WadzPay, a Fintech company that focuses on blockchain-based use cases. Bobby has amazing experiences and is a great Network member. Read more about Bobby below!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbykakar
What do you currently do?
I am currently the SVP for Market Development and Product Customization for WadzPay Worldwide Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based Fintech focused on blockchain-based use cases for payments, remittances, gaming, and financial services.
I am also a mentor and advisor to a few MENA Fintechs and an active member of the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Fintech eco-systems.
What prompted you to go down this career path and how did you get into this field?
I guess I naturally gravitated to this path. My early career roles were in product management and the sales & distribution of retail banking assets, liabilities and cards. I then had a few stints in marketing, and set-up the digital marketing departments of a couple of international and regional banks, including at HSBC and The Saudi Investment Bank. I then moved into digital propositions and launched the region's first pure play online savings account, HSBC eSaver. In between I was also the business project manager for large digital projects, and most of my recent roles centered around the digital space including managing the retail branch digital transformation of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and the product development of a digital only Bank.
So, moving into the Digital Assets and the Web3 space was quite seamless, and I am thoroughly enjoying myself and look forward to launching some really cool innovations in the near future.
What originally got you interested in connecting with the MENA startup ecosystem and other like-minded folks here in North America?
I originally got interested when I was managing the participation of a local Bank in the DIFC Fintech Accelerator. I was most impressed with what I saw and excited by the potential of collaboration with Fintech in enhancing the propositions of the Bank and bringing about meaningful improvements to the customer experience. I also got first hand experience of the potential benefits when the Bank implemented the solution stack of neo gen Banking Fintech.
What types of connections are you looking to make through Viaka? This can be from the MENA side, as well as with other MENA-connected folks in the Viaka Network
I have been most impressed with the Viaka network, and its mission to scale MENA fintechs. I look forward to potential collaborations in the Web3 space and connecting with young founders and VCs in helping grow our MENA ecosystem.
Where will that take you?
Build an authentic MENA originated, and market leading, IP / Product
Bonus: favorite dish from the MENA world?
"karak chai", a GCC favorite !
Promising Opportunities from Our MENA Partners
Below are a list of opportunities curated from the Viaka’s MENA partners.
For Founders
Plus.vc invests in early-stage founders (up to Series A) that have a MENA background or connection, but are founding their companies outside of MENA.
*I’m interested*
For Investors
Meacor is a start-up developing novel minimally invasive medical devices with a special focus on transcatheter interventions for valvular disease.
*I’m interested*
For Advisors
Roadie Music, an AI-powered music tuner and education app, is looking for A) a digital marketing strategist, and B) a product expert, preferably with deep expertise in the music and edtech space, to help drive app downloads and subscription conversions
*I’m interested*
If you would like to get involved with any of the opportunities above, please fill out the form below and indicate what opportunity you are interested in in the “Which of Viaka's startup and venture opportunities are you interested in?” section.
Exciting Announcements From Our Network
Below is a list of updates, wins, and asks emanating from members of the Viaka Network in the “West.”
BuildPalestine, a group that aims to connect supporters around the world to social impact projects in Palestine, has announced its Third Annual BuildPalestine Summit. The Summit will be held from October 7th-8th, 2022. This year’s design and theme are “Designing for Unity” – a theme that covers unifying Palestine and beyond crossing economic, political, and geographic divides. For more information, check out their site!
ABANA announced the return of its in-person annual Tech Summits with this year’s summit topic being “Future of Work in the MENA Region”. The summit will take place on September 29th at 8:30 AM in New York. The event is being co-hosted by Gibson Dunn. According to ABANA’s announcement, the day full of expert panels will focus on “three areas through which technology is playing a key role in changing the MENA landscape and the future of work: the sustainability and energy industries, women’s entrepreneurship, and the role of VCs in the MENA region.” Sign up and find out more here!
If you’re a member of our Network and would like to share your own update next week, email info.viaka@gmail.com or submit an update via this form.
That’s it for this week. Thank you!
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