Founder in Residence (AI-native ventures) – Fintech / Corporate Finance

Disrupt.com (formerly Gaditek); United Arab Emirates; On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Disrupt.com is seeking a visionary Founder in Residence for an AI-native venture in fintech. You will lead the development of innovative solutions in finance, blending entrepreneurial spirit with AI insights to improve core financial services. This strategic role involves identifying opportunities, building a robust team, and navigating regulatory challenges, all supported by Disrupt's extensive resources and funding. Ideal candidates are experienced in fintech with an entrepreneurial drive to transform industries through technology.

Benefits

Significant equity from day one

Financial backing and salary for 12 months

Legal guidance on compliance

Mentorship from fintech experts

Assistance with early hiring

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in fintech or related domains.
• Entrepreneurial drive and proven impact in finance.
• Risk management mindset with compliance understanding.
• Fluent in English, additional languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead an AI-driven fintech startup focusing on financial services.
• Identify high-impact AI opportunities in fintech.
• Navigate regulatory landscape and align partnerships.
• Develop market growth strategies and revenue model.

Skills

AI-driven finance vision

Fintech domain expertise

Strategic & analytical thinking

Leadership & gravitas

Job description

Founder in Residence (AI-native ventures) – Fintech / Corporate Finance

Founder in Residence (AI-native ventures) – Fintech / Corporate Finance

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Assistant Manager | Lead Technical Recruiter | HR Business Partner | Talent Acquisition Partner

Location : Dubai, UAE (Initial 12-month at location with Disrupt)

Role Overview :

Disrupt.com is looking for a Founder in Residence to lead an AI-driven fintech startup. In this role, you will incubate and build a new venture applying AI to solve key problems in financial services or corporate finance, such as digital banking, payments, lending, and wealth management. You’ll operate as the CEO of this new startup with Disrupt’s support in funding, resources, and expertise, creating solutions that enhance finance with AI.

What You’ll Be Doing :

• Opportunity Identification : Spot high-impact AI opportunities in fintech or corporate finance, like automating loan underwriting or enhancing fraud detection.
• Validation & Market Research : Validate your idea by assessing market size, competitive landscape, and regulatory considerations. Engage with potential users to confirm demand.
• Regulatory Strategy : Navigate the complex regulatory landscape (KYC, data privacy) and determine necessary approvals or partnerships.
• Product Development & Tech Leadership : Lead the development of the AI platform, prioritizing MVP features, and ensuring smooth integration with AI models.
• Pilot and Iterate : Run pilots to gain feedback, refine algorithms, and gather case studies for sales.
• Business Model & Monetization : Define a sustainable revenue model (subscription, transaction commissions, etc.) based on the value provided.
• Go-to-Market & Growth : Formulate strategies to acquire users via partnerships, content marketing, and direct outreach.
• Risk Management & Security : Ensure robust data privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical AI practices.
• Team Building & Culture : Build a team as the venture grows, establishing a culture of innovation balanced with compliance.
• Vision, Leadership & Fundraising : Set the vision for the venture, attract investors, and manage relationships with key partners.

What We Offer (Disrupt’s Co-Build Platform) :

• Financial Backing & Runway : A full year of funding including salary and seed capital to focus on product and regulatory compliance.
• Equity & Founder Status : Significant equity from day one, with aligned incentives for long-term success.
• Regulatory & Legal Support : Legal guidance for navigating licensing, compliance, and data protection.
• Infrastructure & Security : Access to enterprise-grade IT infrastructure and security protocols.
• Mentorship and Industry Access : Mentorship from seasoned fintech experts and access to potential pilot customers.
• Global Market Insights : Guidance on expanding internationally with Disrupt’s experience in multiple markets.
• Back-Office & Hiring Support : Assistance with payroll, HR, and recruiting for early hires.
• Playbooks & Frameworks : Use proven playbooks for building fintech products and navigating regulatory challenges.

What We’re Looking For (Non-Negotiables) :

• AI-Driven Finance Visionary : Experience with AI in finance or a deep understanding of its potential in this domain.
• Fintech Domain Expert : Expertise in financial services or corporate finance, with an eye for identifying inefficiencies.
• Full-Stack Financial Acumen : Strong understanding of financial systems and how value is created in finance.
• Tech & Product Sense : Solid technical intuition and experience in leading complex projects or integrations.
• Growth Mindset in Fintech : Creative strategies for scaling user or customer bases, considering trust factors.
• Strategic & Analytical : Ability to think strategically and plan multiple steps ahead in a competitive landscape.
• Leadership & Gravitas : Ability to earn trust in a conservative industry and lead teams or projects effectively.

Qualifications & Experience :

• 7+ years of experience in fintech, financial services, or related domains.
• Entrepreneurial drive and proven impact in fintech or finance.
• Risk management mindset, with an understanding of compliance and industry regulations.
• Global perspective and adaptability to changing markets or regulations.
• Fluent in English (other languages a plus).

Bonus Points if you :

Have previously founded or worked in a fintech startup.

Have worked with financial regulators or in regulatory compliance.

Have raised funding from fintech-focused VCs or secured partnerships with financial institutions.

About Disrupt.com

Headquartered in the UAE, Disrupt.com is MENA’s leading venture builder. For over 15 years, we’ve bootstrapped, scaled, and exited global tech ventures – including the $350M Cloudways exit to DigitalOcean in 2022. With a portfolio of 18+ companies, we combine strategic guidance, operational support, and proven playbooks to co-build startups alongside ambitious founders. Through our unique ‘CoBuild’ model, we act as fractional co-founders – providing dedicated product, engineering, marketing, and ops teams to drive early traction. We focus on AI-native startups that reshape industries, with a strong emphasis on capital efficiency, innovation, and global scale. If you're looking to build a category-defining company in healthcare, Disrupt is your launchpad.

Seniority level

Seniority level

Executive

Employment type

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Job function

Finance, Business Development, and Information Technology

Technology, Information and Internet, Financial Services, and IT Services and IT Consulting

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Founder In Residence • United Arab Emirates