In this episode we sit down with Sara Rona, Managing Director at Silicon Valley Bank. Sara is based in NYC and brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career in finance, including roles at HSBC, the World Bank, and Deutsche Bank, and provides unique insights into her current role covering the UK, Europe, MENA region, and Australia/New Zealand. The conversation delves into her professional journey, and the evolving startup ecosystem in the MENA region. Sara discusses the region's dynamic tech landscape, investment trends, and practical advice for founders and investors aiming to expand globally.

Whether you're a startup founder, venture capitalist, or just keen on understanding the innovation economy, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways!

In this episode, we sit down with Alexander Lempka, Founder & CEO of Connect Earth, a global Climate Infrastructure platform for Financial Institutions.

Alex shares how Connect Earth is enabling banks, insurers, and accounting firms to access accurate carbon footprint insights through AI-driven models. We explore their journey from concept to execution, including how they’ve enriched billions of transactions and secured major contracts with key banking groups. Alex discusses the critical role of partnerships for scaling their solutions and reducing integration challenges. He highlights how their platform supports regulatory compliance and democratizes carbon data for both businesses and consumers. We also dive into Connect Earth’s market strategy, focusing on their expansion in the UAE and Latam, and their focus on helping businesses and SMEs make sustainable decisions with accessible carbon data.

Tune in to learn how Connect Earth is reshaping sustainability in financial services and discover valuable lessons on scaling impact with climate tech!

In this episode we hear from Vladimira Briestenska, Co-Founder of Neem, Pakistan’s leading embedded finance platform, reshaping financial inclusion with a double-impact model that empowers both businesses and their end-users.

Vladimira shares her fascinating career journey from global human rights advocacy to tech entrepreneurship. She discusses the pivotal moments that led her to co-found Neem and her mission to bridge financial inclusion gaps in emerging markets like Pakistan.

We delve into Neem’s core offerings—payments infrastructure, earned wage access, and lending—and explore the innovative strategies behind Neem’s success, including its reliance on partnerships and zero-cost marketing. Vladimira also sheds light on the challenges of dealing with established incumbents and building trust with large financial institutions in a highly competitive landscape.