Fintech leader & advisor
Under Gaurav's leadership as CEO of Marshal Fintech Partners, a pioneering MENA-based payment technology firm, the company has achieved significant growth, culminating in a partial acquisition by a Bahraini Sovereign Wealth Fund. Marshal is now positioned for a second exit, solidifying its role in transforming the region's payments.
Beyond Marshal, Gaurav champions fintech innovation through collaborations with regulators, investors, and entrepreneurs. As a board member of the MENA Fintech Association, a top global fintech body, he fosters open dialogue and supports regulatory policy development. Gaurav has been key in expanding the association's membership and representing the MENA fintech community internationally.
Gaurav's expertise is highly valued in the FinTech and entrepreneurship community. He serves as a board member and advisor to various international family offices, consultancies, startups, and funds. He is committed to growing relationships within the FinTech and startup ecosystem and contributing to the education of emerging disruptors, ultimately driving economic growth in the MENA region and beyond.
Angel investor (500+ startups)
Gaurav's deep domain expertise and extensive network has allowed him to identify and invest in hundreds of high-growth potential startups for his personal startup portolio with a strong skew towards to fintech. As a biproduct of this sizeable portfolio and through his diversificiation across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the United States, Gaurav has the data, the insights and a range of lessons learnt. Within this portfolio, Gaurav has several big hitters - notably, he was the first angel investor in Tabby, the region's first fintech unicorn, an early backer of Jeeves, Kuda and many others.
In addition to his active personal portfolio, Gaurav is an active Investment Committee member and drives the drives investment decision making for various angel groups including AngelSpark, Saudi Angel Investors & Arab Angel Fund.
Public & Keynote speaker
As a huge supporter of innovation in fintech globally, Gaurav is often times spotted as a public speaker and panelist at various conferences events, including but not limited to GITEX, Fintech Festival, STEP Conference, SuperBridge Summit, Museum of the Future, Future Skills Forum, amongst many others. Captivated by all things fintech and future of finance & money, Gaurav also runs his own podcast (FUMO) and is also often times invited as a guest speaker and podcast guest with with other senior leaders in the fintech space.
Vintage Cars
Beyond FinTech & Startups, Gaurav's love for vintage cars lead him to a board member position of Octanium - the home to the Mille Miglia for the UAE .
The Millie Miglia consists of a racing challenge to test the most determined competitor with the most stunning lineup of automobiles, stretching from the dawn of motoring to the relentless hypercar present. Five days of the finest hospitality across the United Arab Emirates.
As a huge vintage car aficionado, Gaurav also owns a private collection along with a motorbook library of ca.4000 publications