Head of Middle East Ecosystem

Cedar-IBSi FinTech Labs; Dubai; On-site; AED 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedar-IBSi FinTech Lab in the UAE seeks a Head of Middle East Ecosystem to own end-to-end program design, startup curation, partnerships, and community presence. This is a practitioner role requiring proven incubator or ecosystem leadership and strong founder relationships.

You will drive engagement across India, Middle East and APAC, build cohort programs, coordinate with Cedar Hill Capital, and position Cedar-IBSi as a credible platform for fintech innovation with banks, regulators, and

Qualifications

• 5-7 years in leadership at incubator/accelerator or fintech ecosystem platform
• Proven track record building startup programs
• Experience in India, Middle East, APAC; UAE/Singapore exposure a plus
• Deep relationships with founders, angels, early VCs, and enterprise buyers
• Experience designing training or capability-building programs for founders or enterprise teams

Responsibilities

• Own the Lab's end-to-end strategy and program design.
• Design and run structured cohorts with milestones, mentorship, and demo days.
• Build and maintain a live pipeline of fintech founders across APAC, MEA, and India.
• Collaborate with Cedar Hill Capital on deal flow and joint programming.

Skills

Leadership

Ecosystem building

Relationship building

BFSI knowledge

Fundraising

Job description

About Cedar-IBSi FinTech Lab and Cedar Group

Cedar-IBSi FinTech Lab is a joint initiative between Cedar Group and IBS Intelligence — two of the most respected names in management consulting and FinTech intelligence. Founded in 2017, the Lab is designed to identify, incubate, and accelerate early-stage fintech companies through structured programs, curated enterprise access, and hands-on go-to-market support.

The Lab operates at the intersection of three powerful capabilities: deep BFSI domain expertise from IBSi's global analyst and consulting network; management consulting and strategic advisory from Cedar; and investment intelligence and capital access through Cedar Hill Capital, Cedar's early-stage enterprise fintech fund. This combination gives the Lab a differentiated, credible position in the Indian and broader APAC fintech ecosystem.

Since 2017, the lab has been home to almost 70+ well-known regional FinTechs who have used our platform to leapfrog and enter new markets.

The Role

The Head of Middle East Ecosystem will own the Cedar-IBSi FinTech Lab end-to-end — from strategy and startup curation to program design, corporate partnerships, and community presence. This is a practitioner's role, not a program managers. We are looking for someone who has actively led an incubator, accelerator, or ecosystem platform before, has genuine founder relationships, and knows how to build programs that produce tangible outcomes.

This is a rare opportunity to build something meaningful at the intersection of fintech investing, enterprise BFSI, and startup ecosystems — with institutional backing, a credible brand, and a strong synergistic partner in Cedar Hill Capital.

Key Responsibilities

Startup Engagement & Cohort Management

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard high-potential early-stage fintech companies (seed to pre-Series A) across India, Middle East, and APAC
• Design and run structured cohort programs including milestone tracks, mentorship sessions, and demo days
• Build and maintain a live pipeline of founders across payments infrastructure, lending tech, regtech, insurtech, wealthtech, and core banking
• Serve as the primary relationship owner for Lab portfolio companies throughout their engagement

Go-to-Market & Training Programs

• Design and execute GTM enablement programs for portfolio startups — enterprise sales playbooks, pilot structuring support, and warm introductions to bank and NBFC buyers
• Build and deliver training curricula for founders and ecosystem stakeholders: workshops, masterclasses, and capability-building modules
• Leverage IBSi's global analyst network and Cedar's BFSI advisory relationships to create meaningful distribution for Lab companies

Cedar Hill Capital Interface

• Work in close coordination with Cedar Hill Capital, Cedar Group's pre-Series A enterprise fintech AIF, which actively co-invests in and supports companies at the Lab
• Support deal flow sourcing for Cedar Hill by providing early visibility into high-quality founding teams before they hit the broader market
• Enable a seamless pathway from Lab engagement to investment consideration — creating a structurally differentiated advantage for both the Lab and the fund
• Collaborate with Cedar Hill on joint programming, investor showcases, and market intelligence that benefits both portfolio startups and the fund's thesis

Corporate & Ecosystem Partnerships

• Cultivate and manage relationships with banks, regulators, VCs, corporate innovation teams, and enterprise technology buyers
• Originate and convert Lab sponsorship, co-branding, and partnership revenue
• Represent Cedar-IBSi FinTech Lab at industry events, panels, and forums across India, UAE, and APAC
• Build the Lab's brand as a credible, outcomes-focused platform — not just a networking event series

Lab Operations & P&L

• Own the Lab's operating calendar, cohort structure, budget, and KPIs
• Build and manage a small team over time
• Report on Lab performance to Cedar Group and IBSi leadership: startup outcomes, partner engagement, deal flow generated, and brand equity

Candidate Profile

Experience & Background

• At least 5-7 years of experience, with at least 3-4 years in a leadership role at an incubator, accelerator, corporate innovation lab, or fintech ecosystem platform
• Demonstrated track record of building and running startup programs — not just managing communities or organising events
• Prior experience in India and/or international markets (Middle East, APAC) preferred; UAE or Singapore exposure a strong plus
• Deep, genuine relationships in the early-stage fintech ecosystem: founders, angels, early-stage VCs, and enterprise buyers
• Experience designing and delivering training or capability-building programs for founders or enterprise teams
• Working knowledge of BFSI — banking, insurance, lending, or payments — as a founder, operator, investor, or practitioner

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional relationship-building instinct — trusted by founders and credible to C-suite enterprise buyers alike
• Strong commercial orientation: able to originate partnerships, sponsorships, and program revenue
• High energy, ecosystem-native presence — comfortable on stage, in a boardroom, and in a first meeting with a first-time founder
• Collaborative, low-ego builder mentality suited to an entrepreneurial, lean environment
• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to create structure where none exists