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.

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.