9 episodes

VentureKast is the podcast about fintech and financial inclusion. Hosted by Vikas Raj, Managing Director of Accion Venture Lab, VentureKast features the stories of the entrepreneurs and investors who are using inclusive fintech to serve the three billion people around the world who are underserved by the mainstream financial system.

Accion Venture Lab is a global venture fund at Accion that invests in fintech for financial inclusion.

Accion VentureKast Venture Lab

    • Business

VentureKast is the podcast about fintech and financial inclusion. Hosted by Vikas Raj, Managing Director of Accion Venture Lab, VentureKast features the stories of the entrepreneurs and investors who are using inclusive fintech to serve the three billion people around the world who are underserved by the mainstream financial system.

Accion Venture Lab is a global venture fund at Accion that invests in fintech for financial inclusion.

    Growing digital tools to match workers’ needs: An interview with SmartMEI’s Carlos Dejavite

    Growing digital tools to match workers’ needs: An interview with SmartMEI’s Carlos Dejavite

    “Most microentrepreneurs here in Brazil… don’t have a lot of the tools that a bigger business would get. And they were struggling a lot,” says Carlos Dejavite, co-founder of SmartMEI, on the final episode of a four-part miniseries of VentureKast. In this series, we discuss insights from Accion Venture Lab’s latest publication, which explores how fintech startups can “win from within” by focusing on building value for their existing users. SmartMEI’s app offers microentrepreneurs and other workers operating in the gig economy in Brazil — like delivery drivers, street vendors, and electricians — business solutions and a gateway to banking services. SmartMEI continues to evolve their platform and scale new products so these workers can succeed.

    • 16 min
    Deepening support for farmers in East Africa: An interview with Apollo Agriculture's Eli Pollak

    Deepening support for farmers in East Africa: An interview with Apollo Agriculture's Eli Pollak

    Apollo Agriculture co-founder and CEO Eli Pollak joins VentureKast to share how Apollo is staying focused on helping their small-scale farmer customers improve their incomes. Apollo Agriculture empowers small-scale farmers in East Africa with the tools they need to maximize their profits, produce food for their communities, and build financial stability for their families. Through a digital-first approach, they’re reaching rural farmers and building on their services to meet more of their needs.

    • 17 min
    Engaging existing users to drive growth: An interview with Advance's Jaime de los Angeles

    Engaging existing users to drive growth: An interview with Advance's Jaime de los Angeles

    An interview with Jaime de los Angeles, CEO of Advance, a salary-on-demand platform in the Philippines that is engaging directly with users in order to “win from within."

    • 18 min
    Three ways startups can grow by focusing on existing users

    Three ways startups can grow by focusing on existing users

    Accion Venture Lab's Amee Parbhoo joins the first episode of a four-part mini-series of VentureKast to discuss insights and strategies from Accion Venture Lab's latest publication, which explores how fintech startups can grow by focusing on building value for their existing users. Amee also shares highlights from the report's case studies of nine fintech startups that are pursuing these strategies around the world. CEOs from three of the startups featured in the report will be interviewed in later episodes of the series.

    • 15 min
    "The pandemic is a moment to get in touch" — Creditas’ Ann Williams

    "The pandemic is a moment to get in touch" — Creditas’ Ann Williams

    In episode ten of VentureKast: Rebuild, Creditas COO Ann Williams explains how Creditas has reached out to their customers during COVID-19 to find out how they can help. The company’s digital platform and focus on long-term customer relationships has led them to design fair, transparent, and affordable financial services and consumer solutions for people in Brazil and Mexico. With this approach, the company is continuing to design new ways to engage with their customers, share more information, and innovate with new relevant products.

    • 17 min
    "We need collaboration and a multi-stakeholder approach" — CFI’s Mayada El-Zoghbi

    "We need collaboration and a multi-stakeholder approach" — CFI’s Mayada El-Zoghbi

    In episode nine of VentureKast: Rebuild, managing director of the Center for Financial inclusion Mayada El-Zoghbi explains how COVID-19 has impacted different populations and sectors of the economy in unique ways depending on existing infrastructures, government responses, and “how digitally connected people are.” Mayada discusses how microfinance institutions are going digital, while digital ID systems, e-commerce, and innovative lending can scale to provide inclusive financial services to vulnerable customers. Mayada’s message is an inspiring one as she emphasizes the importance of collaboration across the ecosystem.

    • 17 min

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