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Born to Disrupt – Web3, Stablecoins, and the Future of Digital Economies with Ahmed Amer
In episode 10 of Born to Disrupt, hosts Grant Niven and Mark Walker are joined by Ahmed Amer, CEO of EMURGO Labs, to discuss how Web3, stablecoins, and tokenisation are shaping the future of digital economies, particularly across Africa and the Middle East. With a background in investment banking, venture capital, and e-commerce, Ahmed offers both strategic and practical insights into how blockchain technologies are being applied in real-world contexts—beyond the hype and towards measurable impact.
Born to Disrupt – Resilience, Risk and Redefining Growth in Africa with Ciku Mugambi
In this episode of Born to Disrupt, hosts Simon Hardie and Grant Niven are joined by Ciku Mugambi, a seasoned investor and operator, to explore the complex realities of building and investing in startups across Africa. Drawing from her diverse experience in audit, consulting, private equity, and startup leadership, Ciku offers a grounded and candid perspective on what it takes to build sustainable, impactful businesses in volatile environments.
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.
Podcast Summary: Born to Disrupt – The Future of AI in Business with Tashfin Shafique
In this episode of Born to Disrupt, Tashfin Shafique, founder and CEO of EMERGEiQ, joins the hosts to explore how businesses can move beyond the hype of artificial intelligence and focus on real-world application. From building strong data foundations to embracing ethical AI and human-centred design, the conversation covers practical strategies for delivering measurable impact. Tashfin shares insights from financial services, private equity, and public safety, highlighting how AI can drive efficiency, unlock new value, and support socially responsible innovation.
Podcast Summary: Born to Disrupt – Venture Building in the Middle East with Oliver Kreusen
In this episode of Born to Disrupt, Oliver Blume, Managing Director at Bridgemaker Gulf, joins the hosts to discuss the rise of venture building in the Middle East. He shares insights into how structured venture creation is helping corporates, governments, and family offices innovate and diversify, especially in a rapidly evolving regional landscape. The conversation explores the role of AI, talent, and long-term thinking in building sustainable businesses, and why the Gulf is uniquely positioned to leapfrog traditional innovation models through collaboration, adaptability, and strategic government support.
Born to Disrupt Podcast: Saudi Arabia’s FinTech Boom, Regulation, and Investment with Michael O’Loughlin
This episode of Born to Disrupt explores Saudi Arabia’s rapid fintech evolution, featuring insights from Michael O’Loughlin, a fintech expert turned regulator and investor. Hosts Grant Niven and Simon Hardie discuss how Saudi’s fintech sector grew from a handful of firms to over 200, the role of regulation in fostering innovation, and the future of investment in AI, digital assets, and emerging financial technologies. Michael shares his journey from banking to fintech, regulation, and now venture capital, offering a unique perspective on how startups, regulators, and investors can navigate Saudi’s booming financial landscape.