Arunjay Katakam grew up in India in a fairly affluent family, and from a young age he wanted to be super-rich. He started his first entrepreneurial venture when he was 11, trading snacks at boarding school.

But he saw a lot of poverty that he couldn’t ignore, and often wondered what he could do to help change the world. His career trajectory shaped his global outlook. When he was 22 he moved from India to Trinidad and Tobago, before spending five years working for Ernest and Young.

Over the next decade, he co-founded and exited three start-ups, one of which was eventually sold to Twitter for approximately $40 million. He also helped set up DFS Lab to help support start-ups in emerging markets, and has mentored over 20 start-ups.

Arunjay has since spent 10+ years in international development, working with GSMA, the UN, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to increase financial inclusion through cross-border payments and digital public infrastructure.

“Neither you nor I, nor any government or leader will solve poverty. We all need to solve poverty, racial inequality, social injustice, and climate change. We can do it together. Albert Einstein once said, “we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them”, which is why we need to deepen our understanding and begin building a more inclusive future. One person at a time.”

Arunjay Katakam is the author of three business finance books:

The Power of Micro Money Transfers: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Highly Profitable Money Transfer Operator (2020) explains exactly why micro money transfers matter, how they impact billions of lives, and the importance of transparency in an industry riddled with confusion pricing.

Generation Hope: How Inclusive Economics Can Help Us All Thrive (2024) explores the historical, political, economic, and cultural foundations that got us where we are today, and delves into what it’s going to take to ensure we are headed toward a sustainable future that benefits us all.

His newest book, The Future of Finance is OPEN is due for publication in late 2025.

Arunjay Katakam – Keynote Topics

The Power of Inclusive Economic and Financial Inclusion: How we can redesign systems to uplift the underserved, and how inclusive economic politics can reduce inequality and fuel sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways

– New perspective on economic growth
– Challenge outdated economic paradigms
– Introduce innovative approaches to growth that benefit all social strata

Generation Hope: How to build economies that work for everyone, containing insights from Generation Hope on how to create opportunities for all, and how business leaders and policymakers can drive social mobility through strategic investments.

Key Takeaways

– Actionable insights for leaders and policymakers
– Practical frameworks for implementing inclusive economic policies that are equitable and sustainable

Open Finance: The Next Frontier in Economic Empowerment: An introduction into decentralised finance (DeFi) and its potential to democratise financial systems, and how open finance can bridge the gap between traditional banking and underserved populations.

Key Takeaways

– Empowerment through knowledge
– Equipping audiences with the knowledge to participate in and benefit from the evolving financial landscape

Breaking Barriers: Technology as a Catalyst for Economic Inclusion: Learn about the role of emerging technologies (like AI and blockchain) in enhancing financial accessibility, and learn the risks and ethical considerations in the tech-drive economic landscape.

Key Takeaways

– Vision for the future of finance
– Understanding the transformative potential of open finance and its implications for global economies

Hope in Action: Practical Staps Towards Inclusive Growth: Actionable strategies for businesses, governments, and individuals to promote inclusive growth, and success stories of grassroots movements transforming local economies.

Key Takeaways

– Inspiration and hope
– Inspiring individuals and communities to envision and work towards a more equitable economic future

Arunjay Katakam – Other Speaking Topics

– Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Lessons from building and exiting multiple startups

– The Future of Money and Digital Finance: What’s next for fintech and global remittances

– Technology For Good: Using tech to solve global challenges and drive systemic change

– Mindset and Purpose-Driven Leadership: His personal journey from wealth-chasing to impact-driven work

Arunjay has spoken at global conferences, contributed to policy discussions, and authored Generation Hope: How Inclusive Economics Can Help Us All Thrive and The Power of Micro Money Transfers, which have been endorsed by Seth Godin and Yanis Varoufakis.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book financial inclusion speaker & campaigner  Arunjay Katakam for your next live event.

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