Ihab Ayoub - Co-Founder and Seasoned Payments Industry Executive

Professional Overview

Ihab Ayoub is a highly accomplished payments industry executive with over 25 years of experience driving innovation and business growth. As the Co-Founder of NymCard, a leading financial technology company, he is responsible for shaping the strategic direction and overseeing the company's operations. Additionally, Ihab serves on the Board of Directors and as an Investor at Buzzin, a prominent startup, and as an Advisory Board member at BLU Solutions Ltd.

Experience Summary

Current Roles

Co-Founder, NymCard (2019 - Present)

Providing strategic leadership and operational oversight to drive the growth and success of NymCard, a leading fintech company in the Middle East

Spearheading the development and implementation of innovative payment solutions and platforms to address the evolving needs of the regional market

Board Member & Investor, Buzzin (2022 - Present)

Leveraging his extensive industry expertise to guide the strategic direction and decision-making of Buzzin, a promising startup

Actively participating in the company's growth and expansion initiatives as a board member and investor

Advisory Board Member, BLU Solutions Ltd (2019 - Present)

Providing strategic counsel and industry insights to the leadership team of BLU Solutions, a respected technology firm

Advising on the development and implementation of cutting-edge solutions to address the evolving needs of clients

Career Progression

Chief Executive Officer, The ENTERTAINER (2021 - 2023)

Successfully led the transformation and growth of The ENTERTAINER, a leading lifestyle and rewards platform, during his tenure as CEO

Drove strategic initiatives to enhance the company's offerings and expand its market presence in the Middle East and beyond

Payment Business Lead - Real Time Payment (RTP) Project, IBM (2019 - 2020)

Spearheaded the implementation of a real-time payment solution for a major financial institution, leveraging his deep expertise in the payments industry

Senior Vice President & Managing Director (MENA), Visa (2013 - 2018)

Oversaw Visa's operations and business strategy in the Middle East and North Africa region, leading the company's growth and market expansion

Championed the development and adoption of innovative payment technologies and solutions to meet the evolving needs of Visa's partners and customers

Academic Background

Ihab holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Cairo University, where he graduated with distinction.

Areas of Expertise

Payments industry strategy and innovation

Financial technology (fintech) product development and implementation

Regional market expansion and business growth

Strategic leadership and operational management

Collaborative partnerships and stakeholder management

Professional Impact

Played a pivotal role in the transformation and growth of The ENTERTAINER, a leading lifestyle and rewards platform, during his tenure as CEO

Spearheaded the implementation of a real-time payment solution for a major financial institution while at IBM, leveraging his deep expertise in the payments industry

Drove the growth and market expansion of Visa's operations in the Middle East and North Africa region as the Senior Vice President and Managing Director

Conclusion

Ihab Ayoub is a seasoned payments industry executive with a proven track record of driving innovation, business growth, and strategic transformation. As the Co-Founder of NymCard and a respected Board Member and Investor, he continues to shape the future of the fintech landscape in the Middle East and beyond.