GFF 2023 — Improving the odds for exceptionalism

By creating a platform where ambition meets opportunity and exceptionalism is encouraged.

The Global Fintech Fest 2023 was a feast for all senses. So many institutions and individuals partnered with the goal to give it hyperscale and prestige. I am highly optimistic that each year it will get better.

Why? Because of two reasons.

1. Ambition met opportunity. I witnessed a platform where the most accomplished people where rubbing shoulders with the most ambitious people in the industry. It was a great leveler. Students, regulators, investors, budding entrepreneurs, unicorn founders — they were all available in the same environment, rubbing shoulders, eating food, drinking chai and trying to pick each others’ brains. Sure, some were unhappy about this comingling in the moment, but I suspect in the long run such interactions lead to serendipitous encounters which lead to amazing outcomes. Hustle, ideas, ambition, capital, talent, policies — all melting into one pot for 3 days.
2. GFF platformed exceptionalism. GFF was a platform where the undercurrent was exceptionalism. Exceptionalism doesnt mean perfectionism. Exceptionalism is also a low probability pursuit. Therefore, exceptionalism often comes with huge downside risks. So if there are only a handful of people betting on becoming exceptional, that experiment may not yield great results. But if we can create a platform where thousands and thousands of people can take their shot at becoming exceptional — the odds are very high. If you cumulatively combine a lot of low probability events — the probability that one of them will happen goes up. Thats the math function which gives me optimism.

The experiences learnt this year are critical for next year. Lot more to do even better for sure. But its equally true that a lot has gone right this year. And i congratulate all the teams that worked tirelessly. God speed for 2024!