Couchonomics with Arjun Arjun Singh

Welcome to a new episode of Couchonomics with Arjun!

Join Arjun as he explores Africa's dynamic startup scene and fintech landscape with Elias Yazbeck, Managing Director at Helios Investment Partners.
Discover key insights into Africa's market dynamics, challenges, and future trends in fintech. Elias also shares Helios Investment Partners' strategies and potential seismic shifts in private equity.
Topics covered include real-time payments, digital banking for SMEs, regulatory roles, entrepreneurship challenges, and Helios Investment's unique philosophy.

Tune in now for valuable insights! Watch the full episode on YouTube and major podcasting platforms.

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.com/

Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Timestamps:
 00:00 - Episode Highlight
 01:12 - Introduction
 02:10 - Overview of Helios Investment Partners
 06:10 - Africa's Diverse Startup Scene
 09:02 - Investing in Major African Markets and Market Dynamics
 11:48 - Key Sectors of Interest
18:18 - Africa-Specific Trends
 21:00 - The Role of Central Banks
 24:46 - Prevailing Trends in Private Equity
 31:41 - Shifts in the Private Equity Scene
 34:58 - The Next Phase of Africa's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
 37:44 - Operational Challenges in Africa
 42:08 - Investment Focus and Social Impact
 46:51 - The Next Steps for Helios
 49:51 - Closing Words


Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/ Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Join Arjun on Couchonomics as we explore open banking and fintech in the GCC with Abdulla Almoayed, Founder & CEO of Tarabut. Discover the evolving landscape of financial services, BaaS, and gain insights into open banking.

We also delve into Tarabut's inspiration, GCC financial services, managed competition, challenges, and opportunities with open banking, BaaS integration, and accelerating digital adoption through fintech partnerships.

Watch now on YouTube and major podcast platforms! #Couchonomics #Fintech #OpenBanking #GCC #Tarabut

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 03 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.com/

Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E


time stamps:
- 00:00 - Episode highlights
- 01:42 - Introduction
- 02:43 - About Tarabut
- 05:50 - Fintech scene in the GCC region
- 11:40 - Free competition vs. managed competition
- 16:21 - Challenges with open banking
- 22:53 - Banks' reluctance to adopt new technology
- 30:25 - Regional nuances in financial markets
- 34:00 - Regulatory harmonization
- 38:40 - BaaS and open banking integration
- 47:16 - Third-party providers in BaaS
- 51:11 - Digital transformation challenges and strategies
- 57:00 - Future strategy for Tarabut
- 01:04:00 - Closing words



Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/ Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of mental health with Scott Armstrong, Founder & CEO of Mentl, a mental health advocacy platform. From workplace challenges to the impact of AI, we explore various facets of mental well-being in today's world. Tune in for insightful discussions on work-life balance, stress management, and more. Don't miss out on this important conversation!

#Couchonomics #MentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance #StressManagement #WellBeing #Podcast #LeadershipInsights


Timestamps:
00:00 - Episode Highlights
01:15 - Introduction
02:57 - Meet Mentl: Advocating Mental Health
03:53 - Scott’s Background Journey
05:22 - State of Mental Health in the Region
09:43 - Primary Drivers of Stress
14:33 - Traditional Work Culture vs. Modern Expectations
17:49 - Generation Gap in Work-Life Balance and Mental Health Attitudes
20:17 - Mental Health's Impact on Productivity
22:45 - Company Strategies for Employee Well-Being Investment
29:46 - Smart Mitigating Strategies for Well-Being
36:36 - Challenges Faced by Gen Z in the Workplace
41:22 - AI's Influence on Mental Health
56:14 - The Mental Health Crisis
58:16 - Addressing Mental Health Challenges and "Well-Washing"
1:02:00 - Closing Thoughts
Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/ Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Episode 5 of Season 3 is live now featuring Mounir Nakhla, Founder and CEO of MNT-Halan. Join us as we delve into the journey of MNT-Halan and the Egyptian fintech landscape. From ride-hailing to a financial super app, we cover it all in this insightful episode! Tune in for a glimpse into the world of fintech innovation!

#Fintech #MNTHalan #StartupJourney #couchonomics #tech #innovation #newepisode

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.com/

Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Timestamps:
 00:00 - Episode Highlights
 00:43 - Introduction
 02:00 - MNT-Halan's story
 05:23 - Creating a financial super app
 08:12 - What makes MNT-Halan great
 12:00 - Opportunities in the Egyptian market
 15:55 - Microloans and consumer loans
 18:58 - MNT-Halan's Impact on the Banking Sector
 21:35 - Fintech Ecosystem in Egypt
 24:36 - Impact of investors on startup direction
 26:13 - Regulatory landscape in Egypt
28:02 - Egyptian companies going across the borders
 32:02 - Opportunities of the Egyptian market for international fintech
 37:32 - Future plans and strategies for MNT-Halan
40:49 - Talent scarcity and AI
 42:00 - Closing words



Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/ Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

🚀 Explore the world of Venture Capital with Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, in Episode 4 of Couchonomics with Arjun! We cover topics like the State of Venture Capital in 2023, market dynamics, lessons learned by VCs, challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs, and more. Don’t miss this conversation full of invaluable insights. Tune in now!


Timestamps:
00:00 - Episode Highlights
00:32 - Introduction
01:25 - The State of VC in 2023
12:31 - Lessons Learned by VCs
14:21 - The Emergence of the Saudi Market
23:36 - Challenges and Opportunities in the Egyptian Market
29:00 - Exploring Different Investment Sectors
44:07 - Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Investment
55:54 - Inside Nuwa Capital
59:23 - Common Pitfalls for Startups
01:04:30 - Expectations and Predictions for 2024/25
01:08:56 - Closing Words
Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/ Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Join us for Episode 3 of Couchonomics with Arjun as we explore the UAE's entrepreneurship ecosystem with Professor Ramesh Jagannathan, Managing Director of StartAD. Learn about StartAD's innovative programs, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the role of women in business. Subscribe for insightful discussions on driving economic growth and global competitiveness in the UAE!
#StartAD #UAEentrepreneurship #Innovation  #WomenEntrepreneurs #TechEducation #Angelinvestment #UAEstartup

 Chapters: 
00:00- Episode Highlights
 00:26- Introduction
 01:11- Prof. Ramesh Background 
06:35- startAD inception and challenges 
16:48- What makes startAD stand out 
22:36- Capacity building in the UAE 
25:08- Empowering women in entrepreneurship 
29:19- VC funding and women-led ventures 
37:06- NYU impact in startAD 
42:30- Next chapter for startAD 
46:25- Collaboration between capacity enablers 
54:32- Closing words 
Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ ToYou https://toyou.io/ar Visa https://ma.visamiddleeast.com/ Geidea https://geidea.net/ M2P https://m2pfintech.com/ Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E