Shivani Siroya, is the founder and CEO of Tala, the first financial platform for the Global Majority.

In this week’s episode we discuss Shivani’s founder journey, how she raised nearly half a billion dollars in investments and debt, how she created a much-lauded corporate culture that spans multiple contents, and why she’s focused on creating credit solutions for the global majority.

Some takeaways:

🔸 The global majority represents 52% of the world population (4B people) and represents an economic opportunity of at least $10 trillion - $20 trillion

🔸 Financial infrastructure is not easily accessible for the global majority

🔸 Tala is solving for this by gathering user experience data, loan use data and creates a proprietary credit score that empowers them to gain credit

🔸 1.8B Android devices in these communities

🔸 2/3 of Tala’s clients had no access to credit prior to the app / service

🔸 Tala is looking into adding more financial products for existing client base

🔸 When fundraising for a start-up its all about how many swings you take

🔸 You never know which of your investors will be just as passionate about your business as you are

🔸 Sometimes its not about you - its about timing and the market

🔸 In preparing for later stage fundraising rounds, start talking with institutional investors long before you think you need them

Shivani Siroya, the founder and CEO of Tala, the first financial platform for the Global Majority. Through Tala’s money app - customers across the globe can instantly access credit, deposit, and payment services. Over 9 million customers across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico, and India have used Tala products to start and expand small businesses, manage day-to-day needs, and pursue their financial goals with confidence. Tala has raised nearly half a billion dollars in investments and debt, backed by visionary investors including IVP, Revolution Growth, Lowercase Capital, and PayPal Ventures. The company has been named to the Fortune Impact 20 list, CNBC’s Disruptor 50 five years in a row, and Forbes’ Fintech 50 list for eight years running.

Prior to founding Tala, Shivani worked as an analyst with UNFPA, holding thousands of interviews to understand the financial capacity of microcredit users in South Asia and Sub Saharan Africa. She has also held a variety of positions in global health and investment banking, including with Health Net, Citigroup, and UBS. Shivani is an Aspen Institute Finance Leader Fellow, a WEF Young Global Leader, Senior TED Fellow, and Ashoka Fellow. She holds a M.P.H from Columbia University and a B.A. from Wesleyan University.

SIGN UP for our newsletter at www.venturef.com/newsletter to get curated news and information about growing your wealth and investing in women delivered to your in-box every week.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this podcast is made available solely for general information purposes, is not tailored to the individual needs of a specific person or group, contains only disinterested commentary and analysis, and is not promotional material or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities. Venture:F does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness the information in this podcast. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. Venture:F does not offer any investment advice, we are not a broker-dealer or financial advisor, and this podcast does not constitute any form of legal, tax, or securities advice and may not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Investing entails risk, including the possible loss of principal, and past performance is not predictive of future results.