Nikhilesh Goel

Nikhilesh Goel, Co-Founder & CEO of Validus, leads Southeast Asia's top SME financing platform, driving $5B+ in credit through sustainable practices. He discusses why SME lending often fails for fintechs and reveals that 90% of Validus' funding comes from banks, not VCs. Nikhilesh emphasizes the role of AI in operations, the importance of anchor-based lending models, and the benefits of building strong relationships with SMEs. He also navigates regulatory challenges across Southeast Asia, providing insights into ethical pricing and the future of SME financing.