Walid Hassouna the CEO of Valu joins Patricia Wu at the Money 20/20 Middle East event at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center to delve into the dynamic fintech landscape in the region, which has seen rapid growth since its early days focused primarily on payments. Walid highlights how the introduction of consumer lending, inspired by the global buy now pay later trend, marked a significant shift in the industry.
He emphasizes the importance of innovation and speed in product development, noting that Valu has managed to stay ahead of the competition by prioritizing customer feedback and maintaining a balance between banking expertise and technological advancement. With a youthful leadership team, they are well-positioned to connect with their target audience.
They also discuss the potential for exits in the fintech space, with Walid sharing his experience of a direct listing on the Egyptian Stock Exchange. He believes that this approach not only attracts attention from private equity and strategic investors but also positions companies favorably for future opportunities.
Walid offers valuable advice for founders, urging them to explore various exit strategies early on, including mergers and acquisitions, rather than viewing their startups as untouchable entities. He stresses the importance of keeping options open and listening to the market.