The Asia Tech Podcast was joined by the co-founders of SeedFlex, Ritwik Ghosh and Sauvik Datta. Ritwik Ghosh's extensive background in consumer and SME credit, first with Capital One Bank and then with Oliver Wyman, ingrained a deep understanding of credit systems in him, which he further enriched by spearheading Grab's fintech lending division. Sauvik Datta's career spans over two decades in financial services, marked by significant roles at McKinsey, American Express, and Standard Chartered Bank, before his entrepreneurial venture with Validus Capital. His specialization in risk management, credit scoring, and the application of machine learning models for customer underwriting has positioned him at the forefront of financial innovation. Some of the topics they covered in detail included: Identifying and bridging the market gap with a mission-driven approach and addressing the underserved micro-entrepreneurs and SMEs in Southeast Asia The power of data in unlocking financial services and enabling SeedFlex to extend credit to those deemed too risky by conventional standards Embracing technological innovation for seamless financial solutions and effectively introducing a "pay as you sell" advance The emphasis on ecosystem partnerships as a vehicle for scaling and building trust The creation of tailored financial products that cater specifically to the unique needs of micro-entrepreneurs