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Mark Chahwan
Co-Founder & CEO, Sarwa
Join me in conversation with Mark Chahwan, co-founder and CEO of Sarwa, as we explore the journey of building MENA's first licensed fintech. From overcoming mental barriers to redefining workplace luxury, Mark shares invaluable insights about entrepreneurship, investment trends, and the future of wealth creation in the Middle East.
The biggest hurdle was mental. Launching a financial institution in a country he hadn't lived in felt too crazy, until the UAE's fintech sandbox dropped capital requirements from $500,000 to $10,000 and met his ambition halfway.
Remote work is the new corporate luxury. The old luxury was a corner office and a driver; today it's being trusted with your own time, and the best candidates treat that as a hiring rule.
Private markets are the next frontier. Owning only public equities misses most companies; family office portfolios have flipped toward alternatives, and MENA regulators move fast once demand is proven.
Don't be a capital tourist. Sovereign wealth funds quickly separate founders building the ecosystem from those just passing through to raise money; without a real operational link, don't bother.
