When I first moved abroad, I expected challenges – adjusting to new cultures, building networks, and navigating unfamiliar business systems. But what I didn’t expect was that managing my money would be the hardest part.
As an expat entrepreneur, I expected challenges like everyone does – adjusting to new cultures, navigating unfamiliar business environments, and building networks from scratch.
But honestly, the biggest frustrations? They came from the very tools that were supposed to help me build a life here: the financial platforms meant to make cross-border life easier.
Sending money home came with unpredictable delays and fees. Juggling multiple currencies meant constantly losing out to bad exchange rates. And setting up business payments across countries felt like trying to rewire a banking system that wasn’t designed for someone like me.
I soon realised I wasn’t the only one suffering
Millions of people living and working across borders face the same friction every day. And in regions like the UAE, where international talent, diaspora communities, and entrepreneurs converge, this challenge is magnified. That’s where the idea for building a new fintech app – MavenPay – began.
The expat economy is growing, but it’s still underserved
Dubai is home to over 200 nationalities and countless cross-border ventures. It’s a city built on global movement: people, ideas, and money flowing in all directions. But most global fintech apps, though sleek on the surface, still miss the nuances of the lives we live in this region.
Take remittances, for example. They’re not just any transaction; they’re a lifeline for so many sending money back home to families. Yet fees remain opaque, speed is inconsistent, and support is often lacking. Add to that multi-currency management, freelance income tracking, or business payouts.
That’s why MavenPay isn’t just any fintech app. It’s a response to a lived experience, one shared by millions of people in Dubai and beyond.
Building what we needed but couldn’t find
When we started developing MavenPay, we asked a simple question: What would a financial ecosystem look like if it were truly built for people like us?
Not just for the average consumer, but for the freelancer building a life between Canada and Dubai. For the founder paying remote teams across borders. For the expat supporting family back home while juggling currencies and tax systems.
What emerged was a platform with four key pillars:
Personal and Business Accounts: Seamless management of money across borders, for individuals and businesses alike.
Stablecoin & Crypto Transfers: The ability to use stable, secure digital currencies – without volatility – for faster, cheaper international payments.
Real-Time Local and Global Transfers: Built on regulated, licensed infrastructure across the UAE, Africa, and key diaspora corridors.
Smart Financial Tools: AI-powered features for budgeting, expense tracking, and planning – especially useful for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and globally mobile professionals.
But beyond the product, we wanted to design for trust, dignity, and ease.
Why this matters to the UAE ecosystem
Diaspora remittances are a $650+ billion global market, and UAE corridors are among the most active.
Freelance and remote work are growing rapidly, yet most platforms don’t support multicurrency, cross-country expense tracking or payroll.
Crypto and stablecoins are becoming essential infrastructure, especially in regions where banking is limited or expensive.
The UAE has a unique opportunity to lead this shift, not just by adopting fintech, but by building it in a way that reflects the realities of its diverse, global population.
Final thoughts: From frustration to fuel
Creating a fintech app wasn’t part of a grand master plan – it started with personal frustration. But that frustration became fuel. And the more I spoke with others, the more I realised how shared this experience was.
That’s why I believe this next chapter of fintech needs to be empathetic, localised, and designed for real life.
As we continue building, we’re not just launching a product, we’re building a movement. One that believes moving money shouldn’t feel like moving mountains.
