Fintech Insider Podcast by 11:FS

1018. Insights: What it's actually like to build a fintech in the Middle East

Nov 27, 2025
Guest
Rawan Baddour
Guest
Nauman Ali
Guest
Abdulkareem Alkhiary
Join Abdulkareem Alkhiary, co-founder of Edikar, Nauman Ali, founder of Orbii, and Rawan Baddour, co-founder of Zest, as they dive deep into the vibrant Middle Eastern fintech scene. They discuss the real challenges of launching startups, navigating regulatory landscapes, and the necessity of adaptability in a fast-evolving market. The founders share their personal journeys, innovative solutions like automated payroll savings and credit intelligence, and why the region is an emerging hub for financial innovation.
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ANECDOTE

Family-Led Fintech Origin

  • Abdulkareem Alkhiary built Eddekkah with his father, who had previously founded a successful employee savings fund in Saudi.
  • They automated that idea into a payroll-integrated savings product to tackle low savings rates in the region.
ANECDOTE

Quick Pivot From Feedback

  • Rawan Baddour and her co-founder pivoted from liquidity solutions to private transaction infrastructure after early user feedback.
  • They hacked an MVP to switch a transaction from public to private and rapidly evolved the product.
INSIGHT

Balance Optimism With Grounded Reality

  • Founders must balance optimism and realism to avoid building in isolation or chasing unfounded visions.
  • Successful founders oscillate between grounded facts and ambitious vision.
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