In collaboration with the UK-Oman Cyber programme, Aljabr MENA and Idrak Fintech Community, Startup Grind Muscat is excited to invite you to our upcoming event, a Fireside Chat with FinTech Professor Markos Zachariadis of the University of Manchester and the World Economic Forum!

End the year on a high with inspiration and insights from one of the brightest minds in Fintech, as well as the chance to network and learn more about Oman’s thriving Fintech sector and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Professor Markos Zachariadis is a fintech trailblazer and digital innovation guru who holds the Chair of Financial Technology (FinTech) & Information Systems at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), University of Manchester where he is also Founding Director of the Centre for Financial Technology Studies (CFTS). His groundbreaking research dives into how tech transforms banking, payment networks, and Open Banking, showing us how data and standards keep financial systems humming. A member of the World Economic Forum’s Future Council on Financial Systems, Advisory Board member of the Abu Dhabi Global Market's Research Centre, and a FinTech Research Fellow at the Cambridge Centre for Digital Innovation (CDI), University of Cambridge, he’s shared his know-how with everyone from the Bank of England to CNN.

When it comes to fintech and entrepreneurship, Professor Markos Zachariadis is like a walking playbook of innovation and strategy. He’s cracked the code on how technology drives resilience and innovation in finance, making his insights and perspectives invaluable when it comes to the dynamic entrepreneurial scene in Oman and the wider region. Whether it’s decoding the impact of Open Banking or the secret sauce behind payment networks, Professor Markos makes complex ideas accessible and exciting. He’s a global thinker who brings insights you won’t find in a textbook - essential for anyone looking to thrive in the evolving world of fintech​!

The event will be moderated by Startup Grind Muscat Chapter Director Laura Cretney, who will be diving into Professor Markos’s unique experience working across the global FinTech ecosystem. They’ll also be delving into topics such as the intersection between Fintech and Cybersecurity, the current trajectory of the Fintech space in Oman and beyond, and the opportunities and challenges facing Founders in this constantly evolving space.

Join us to learn, be inspired, and connect with FinTech professionals, entrepreneurs and bright minds from across the Omani ecosystem!