In this episode of The Startup Leap, we sit down with Coen, the founder of Tyme Bank, to discuss the incredible journey of building a global digital bank in Africa and expanding into Southeast Asia. Coen shares the challenges of creating a bank without traditional elements like paper, cash, or ATMs, and how they achieved profitability in just five years despite raising initial capital from over 250 potential investors. We delve into the importance of partnerships, customer trust, and innovative distribution strategies that have led to serving 17 million customers and onboarding half a million new users every month. Coen also provides insights into navigating regulatory landscapes, making tough decisions in capital-constrained markets, and the role of personal growth in effective leadership.
“Transformational operating models can move the boundaries of what business can do in society… It simply isn’t possible to do something fundamentally new under the same brand, on the same technology stack, and within the same risk and compliance environment.”
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The Startup Leap
