Can Europe build the next generation of global fintech leaders?
In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Stefan Klestil, General Partner Fintech EMEA, joins the show to discuss venture capital, fintech investing, AI, digital assets, founder psychology, and why the Middle East and Africa have become one of the world's most compelling investment opportunities.
Stefan explains why Speedinvest launched its dedicated EMEA fund, what separates exceptional founders from everyone else, and why venture investors are increasingly looking beyond Europe for the next wave of global fintech success.
The conversation explores the rise of AI-driven fintech, stablecoins, tokenization, venture capital, cross-border financial infrastructure, regulation, and why governance often determines whether startups become lasting businesses.
🎙️ In this episode:
• Why Speedinvest launched a dedicated Middle East and Africa fund • What makes founders capable of building regional and global companies • Why AI could dramatically reduce the time needed to build fintech leaders • The future of stablecoins, tokenization, and on-chain financial services • Why venture capital is shifting toward growth markets • How governance determines long-term startup success • Why Europe still struggles to retain growth capital • The fintech opportunities investors believe are still being overlooked
⏱️ CHAPTERS
01:51 Why the next fintech giants may come from emerging markets 09:13 Investing across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa 17:12 What investors really look for in founders 24:31 Stablecoins, tokenization, and on-chain finance 28:28 Is European fintech losing momentum? 36:05 Meta Reality: AI, MENA, and the future of fintech 41:31 The hardest lessons from backing founders 46:08 The fintech opportunities investors still underestimate
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