Marie is a consultant with CFI. In her previous role as a director at CFI, Marie was responsible for the successful implementation of <a href="http://www.inclusivefintech50.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inclusive Fintech 50</a> — an initiative that recognizes promising early-stage fintechs driving financial inclusion around the globe. She managed program design, execution, and delivery of incentives and knowledge products. Marie has more than 25 years of experience in advising, designing, and implementing holistic solutions for businesses and non-profits in the US, Asia, and Africa. She is passionate about alleviating poverty through education, human empowerment, and financial inclusion.

Consultant

Nikhil Gehani

Marie Valdez

Blaine Stephens

Report

Fintech investment is booming. In 2018, a record USD 111.8 billion was invested in fintech, and the sector garnered extensive media coverage and interest. But despite fintech’s growing profile—and even though it can help unlock trillions of dollars in value by reaching financially underserved households and businesses—fintech solutions have yet to reach the majority of the financially excluded.
It is against this backdrop that we at MIX worked with MetLife Foundation, Visa Inc., Accion, and IFC to launch the Inclusive Fintech 50, the first global effort to spotlight early- stage fintechs driving financial inclusion. Four key findings emerged from our analysis of applicant data. We believe these findings can help funders, investors, and fintechs in their financial inclusion efforts. The Inclusive Fintech 50 applicant pool provides new insights into inclusion-focused fintech, itself a subset of the fintech universe. By highlighting these high-potential companies, we hope to support the efforts of investors, banking partners, and other fintechs working towards a financially inclusive world.

Marie Valdez

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