A landmark fintech conference united business and tech leaders from Switzerland and Saudi Arabia thanks to Hyphen’s organising efforts. 

More than 150 guests attended the inaugural Saudi-Swiss Fintech Forum on November 24 and 25, as organisations from the two nations seek to capitalise on opportunities for collaboration in the rapidly evolving sector. 

Our Vice-President of Client Partnerships Akin Akbiyik hosted an investors panel on the first day, moderating the discussion between four fellow panellists. 

 

Co-Founders Avinash Nandakumar and Dr Erhan Ermis, and Head of Strategic Business Development Gunes Aydogan also attended the event after putting in weeks of effort behind the scenes to help with preparations. 

Avinash, who is himself a Swiss native, said: “We are proud of our involvement in organising this transformative event and were delighted to see so many senior figures from Saudi Arabia and Switzerland join us. 

“Fintech is an important market sector for us and will only continue growing. It is clear that wealth tech and alternative lending are areas that have particularly high potential and are open for partnerships and collaborations. I also see huge advantages on the wealth team side to combining Swiss expertise with the growing affluent/lower high-net-worth-individual segment to collaborate on rapid, digital-first solutions. 

“I am confident that by uniting leaders from two economies at the forefront of this financial evolution, this forum will lead to new synergies and opportunities for further growth.” 

Four priority themes – payments, lending and alternative finance, wealth management, and data management and infrastructure – were placed at the heart of the agenda as experts shared their views on the future of fintech. 

Activities held as part of the two-day forum included: 

• Thematic roundtables on the four priority themes 

• An investors panel led by Akin Akbiyik with four guests from Saudi Arabia and Switzerland 

• A fintech panel with representatives from both countries 

• A fireside discussion between two senior banking leaders 

• Two sessions geared towards helping attendees familiarise themselves with the Saudi business ecosystem 

• A cross-cultural collaboration session and networking opportunities

 

The event saw our team work with representatives from Switzerland-Global Enterprise, Swiss Business Hub Middle East, the Embassy of Switzerland in Saudi Arabia, Fintech Saudi, FIND and L.E.K. Consulting. 

The collaborative efforts were crucial in bringing together delegates and subject matter experts for the intensive two-day meet, which drew significant interest from players within the fintech sector. 

The forum, which took place in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, brought together two countries with special connections to Hyphen. 

Our primary involvement was supporting the Swiss Embassy by using our strong understanding of the marketplace in Saudi Arabia and tapping into our Swiss roots to make the sessions as relevant as possible. 

Laying the groundwork for the fintech forum represents our latest contribution to the socioeconomic development of the Kingdom. 

As well as providing our services for various megaprojects and government-backed initiatives in Saudi, we opened a regional headquarters in Riyadh and attended a special event with senior officials from the country earlier this year. We have also partnered with the Misk Foundation to offer opportunities to the best emerging Saudi talent. 

Akin added: “It was a privilege to be asked to lead the investors forum and hear first-hand from some of the most influential voices in this sector. It was clear to everyone in attendance that fintech is hugely important and ripe for further growth; it is both the present and the future of the global economy. 

“The panel was indicative of the event as a whole in that it illustrated that there is both the capability and the desire to share knowledge and resources to realise the full potential of this sector.”  

How can I find out more? 

If you are interested in learning more about this event or Hyphen’s work in the fintech sector, please get in touch with Avinash Nandakumar, Erhan Ermis, Akin Akbiyik or Gunes Aydogan.