Podcast Summary: Born to Disrupt – Leaps, Innovation and Life in Riyadh with Sophie Guibaud
In this episode of Born to Disrupt, hosts Grant Niven, Simon Hardie, and Mark Walker welcome Sophie Guibaud, a fintech entrepreneur and co-founder of Radsody, to discuss her personal and professional journey from Europe to Saudi Arabia. The conversation explores themes of self-disruption, innovation, the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Riyadh, and how AI and cloud are shaping the region’s digital future.
From Europe to Riyadh – A Strategic Leap
Sophie begins by recounting her move from Europe to the Middle East, initially prompted by her husband’s professional relocation. What started as a short-term stay soon became a long-term strategic decision to remain in Riyadh, a city she describes as full of momentum, ambition, and opportunity. She was inspired by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, its commitment to transformation, and the sheer amount of development still to come.
Having previously launched and scaled businesses in the UK and the Netherlands, Sophie found the Kingdom’s energy infectious. Unlike in mature European markets, Saudi Arabia presented a landscape where everything still needs to be built, making it an ideal environment for experienced professionals to add real value. She describes the business community as open, collaborative, and highly responsive — a place where networking is active and opportunities can materialise quickly.
Disrupting Oneself – The Role of Fear and Curiosity
A core theme throughout the conversation is Sophie’s mindset of “self-disruption”. From moving abroad at 18, to pivoting from finance into tech and marketing, she’s made a habit of embracing the unknown. Sophie views fear not as a deterrent, but as an indicator of growth. Whether launching HelloFresh UK without marketing experience or leading the launch of a digital bank with no prior banking licence knowledge, she has repeatedly leapt into the unfamiliar to expand her skills.
She argues that many people—especially women—often feel they must be overqualified before taking on new roles. Instead, Sophie encourages others to take on challenges before they feel ready, trusting in their ability to figure things out along the way. She also discusses the emotional side of reinvention: from the initial excitement of change, to the doubt that follows, and the confidence gained once one pushes through the discomfort.
Launching Radsody – AI, Cloud, and Data Solutions
Sophie’s latest venture, Radsody, is a cloud, AI, and data engineering company supporting digital transformation across financial services, healthcare, and energy. The business bridges European tech talent with local teams in Saudi Arabia, promoting knowledge transfer and sustainable growth. Their focus includes AI-driven solutions such as chatbots, digital twins, personalisation engines, credit scoring, and fraud detection, alongside large-scale cloud migration projects.
Saudi Arabia’s push to move from on-premise infrastructure to cloud, driven by the arrival of hyperscalers like Amazon and Microsoft, has created huge demand for technical expertise and strategic leadership. Sophie notes that many companies know AI is important but don’t know where to start — and that Radsody is helping clients define use cases, drive adoption, and implement innovation.
The New Frontier of Advisory and AI
The conversation also touches on how AI is transforming consulting and advisory services. Sophie and the hosts reflect on how founders and advisors can now operate leaner, using AI tools to replace repetitive, time-consuming tasks, and focus on delivering insights. She encourages founders to educate themselves on AI tools, describing them as essential for modern entrepreneurship.
She highlights how even small tools — like automated meeting notes integrated with CRMs and project management platforms — can significantly boost productivity. The key is to embed AI into everyday workflows, accelerating both decision-making and innovation.
Advice for Newcomers to the Region
For those considering a move to Saudi Arabia, Sophie offers practical guidance:
Come and explore — first-hand experience is invaluable.
Network proactively — people are open, and conversations lead to real opportunities.
Align with Vision 2030 — if your expertise supports the national strategy, the chances of success are high.
In closing, she describes Saudi Arabia as a career accelerator for those ready to engage, build, and grow — a region where the pace of transformation is matched only by the depth of opportunity.
