S2E02 - Debbie Watkins, CEO & Cofounder of Lucy - Female Focus Fintech Emerging Markets Growth Leaders

This week on Emerging Markets Growth leaders I am thrilled to welcome CEO & Cofounder of Lucy, Debbie Watkins. Debbie joins me to share her experiences in the early days of micro finance and social enterprise in SE Asia. We discuss how Microfinance is impacting developing societies, some of the dangers for users and also talk through the underrepresentation and lack of support for female entrepreneurs in financial services. We then discuss how Lucy will go about addressing this gap, before finishing with the quick fire question round.

Please find below the episode summary:

1:24 - Welcome

3:12 - Debbies first trip to SE Asia

6:29 - Setting up social enterprises in Cambodia

13:59 - The evolution of microfinance in SE Asia

16:41 - The dark side of microfinance & digital loan sharks

22:00 - The role of responsible businesses

23:32 - About the creation of Lucy

29:10 - Research into female owned businesses & access to finance

31:28 - What will Lucy do and how can it help?

50:15 - Quickfire Questions