Founders' origin stories

About this episode:

In this special episode David M. Brear digs into what it really takes to succeed as a fintech startup in the Middle East.

At the first-ever Money 20/20 Middle East in Riyadh, the fintech startup scene was buzzing with energy - from the celebrations and free swag to the steady flow of Arabic coffee. One real highlight was the Money Surge competition: 15 founders, 3 minutes each, and a shot to win serious funding.

The winners - Orbii, Eddekhar, and Zest - impressed with their innovation, resilience, and readiness to thrive in a crowded, competitive market.

This episode explores:

• The real challenges of launching a fintech in the Middle East

• How founders are navigating a complex, fast-evolving ecosystem

• The strategies, mindset, and grit required to succeed in 2025

Listeners will gain insight into why the region is a hotbed for fintech innovation - and what it takes to stand out and thrive.

This week's guests: 

• Abdulkareem Alkhiary - Co-Founder & CTO, Eddekhar

• Nauman Ali - Founder and CEO of Orbii

• Rawan Baddour - Co-founder of Zest

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About 11:FS

At 11:FS, we don’t just talk digital - we make it happen. We're building truly digital financial services by partnering with bold teams to take them from market insights to real-world products. Whether you're an incumbent innovating or a startup breaking new ground, we bring the strategy, research, design, and delivery to make it real. Less talk, more impact.Proud winners of the British Bank Award for Consultancy of the Year - five times and counting. 👉 Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠11fs.com/ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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About Fintech Insider:

Fintech Insider by 11:FS is a bi-weekly podcast that covers everything from finance and banking to technology and the latest trends in financial services.

Our expert hosts, with hands-on industry experience, are joined by key decision-makers, VCs, and top reporters from across the financial landscape, including guests from companies like Stripe, Revolut, Plaid, PayPal, and Monzo. Together, they break down the biggest news and innovations shaping the space.

Our weekly news show drops every Monday, covering major stories like mergers, new product launches, regulatory shifts, and emerging tech trends. On Thursdays, our Insights show goes deeper into the hottest topics driving the future of finance, including AI in banking, decentralised finance, and the evolving landscape of embedded finance.

Whether you're already in the fintech game or just starting to explore, this is the #1 podcast for you.

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