How Two Visionary Founders Turned Personal Struggles into Fintech Success with ROSHI
A quiet revolution is underway in Southeast Asia's financial sector, led by two extraordinary individuals: Said Betmurzaev and Amir Nada, founders of ROSHI. This FinTech platform is changing the way one can gain access to loans; however, this success has on its back the story of resilience, ambition, and the drive of creating a world with more inclusion in the finance world.
A Journey Shaped by Personal Struggles
Said's story started in Chechnya, when war forced his family into exile in Belgium. Raised a refugee, he saw his parents fighting against economic structures designed to exclude people with no history within its limits. But Said learned how to write code on his own—which he eventually leveraged in developing various entrepreneurial startups.
With Amir, growing up in Vienna with an Austrian mother and Egyptian father meant a rather uniquely shaped perspective in dealing with diversified cultural and systemic landscapes. His professional career, spanning across global companies like Google, had exposed him to the power of technology in changing how real-world problems were being addressed.
Those personal experiences gave them a common vision: building a platform that would simplify borrowing and fair financial opportunities for everyone.
The Birth of ROSHI
Said and Amir met during Antler's startup accelerator in Ho Chi Minh City. They realized that there was a huge gap in the lending market of Southeast Asia and decided to join hands and experiences to create ROSHI, which would bring clarity and transparency in the borrowing process.
Their mission was clear from the very beginning: building a solution that would fix the issues borrowers had with hidden fees, complicated terms, and a general lack of options—by centering fairness and simplicity.
Founders’ Vision: Empowering Borrowers
But this founder's approach to fintech goes beyond just profit. Said and Amir are deeply committed to building trust and fostering financial inclusion across Southeast Asia. They focus on:
- Transparency: Borrowers must get full understanding of their loan choices and terms.
- Accessibility: Designing a platform for first-time borrowers, and those excluded from traditional financial systems.
- Empathy: Drawing on their own experiences to create solutions that genuinely serve their users' needs.
Driving Change in Southeast Asia
ROSHI is making waves in countries like Singapore and Vietnam, where the barrier to borrowing is traditionally extremely high. For instance:
- A borrower in Singapore might feel overwhelmed with many complex loan choices. ROSHI keeps it simple with clear comparisons and tailor-made recommendations.
- In Vietnam, first-time borrowers often can't access low interest personal loans due to their thin credit histories. ROSHI connects them with lenders who provide transparent terms, breaking a vicious cycle dependent on high-interest fast cash loans.
Lessons from Their Journey
Said and Amir's story is one of tenacity and conviction. Their experience carries lessons for every aspiring entrepreneur:
- Turn Challenges into Opportunities: Both founders have used personal struggles to identify the gaps in the financial system and create meaningful solutions.
- Built on Empathy: Understanding the needs of the underserved community has been crucial to the success of ROSHI.
- Embrace Collaboration: Together, with their unique set of skills and experiences, Said and Amir created something that is greater than the sum of its parts.
The Future of ROSHI
As ROSHI expands its reach, Said and Amir remain steadfast to their core mission: making lending accessible and fair for all. Their work not only transforms the borrowing experience but also sets a new standard for fintech in Southeast Asia.
With their vision, determination, and belief in the power of technology, that's how the founders are proving financial inclusion is not a dream—it's within reach.
