Current Role
Co-Founder and CEO at Pluto
Mo Aziz is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pluto, a leading spend management platform based in the UAE. Positioned at the forefront of financial transformation, Pluto empowers enterprises by delivering innovative solutions for managing corporate spending. Under Mo Aziz's leadership, Pluto has rapidly evolved, setting benchmarks for spend management across the MENA region.
Company Achievements
- Strategic Partnerships: Mo Aziz announced a significant strategic partnership with Neoleap to expand operations in Saudi Arabia.
- Awards and Recognitions: Pluto was shortlisted for the Best Enterprise Solution award by Entrepreneur Middle East and secured In-Principle approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
- Product Innovations: Introduced features such as transaction categorization with tags, enhancing the user experience for managing corporate expenses.
- Funding: Raised US$6 million in seed funding, led by Global Founders Capital, to further develop Pluto's services.
Professional Background
Mo Aziz has over seven years of experience in fintech, payments, and drone technology. His prior endeavors include:
- Y-Combinator-backed Founder: Recognized as the first UAE-based founder to be backed by Y Combinator in 2019.
- Venture Scout at shl.vc: Contributed to identifying and supporting innovative startups in the technology sector.
- Co-Founder of Dapi: Instrumental in creating a seamless financial ecosystem to enhance payment processes.
Education and Certifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance: American University of Sharjah (2011-2014)
- Y Combinator Startup School (2019): Certified in startup fundamentals and equity offerings.
- Andreessen Horowitz Crypto School (2020): Specialized in cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies.
- Gusto Crash Course (2019): Proficient in offering equity to employees.
- Startup CEO at Kauffman Founders School (2019): Acquired strategic CEO skills and leadership qualities.
Notable Projects
- Burj Khalifa Fireworks 2015: Provided live feed coverage for one of the largest firework shows globally.
- Ralph Lauren Polo Event Feature Film (2014): Produced a feature film in association with Dubai Cares, led by HH Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
- Millennium Estates (2014): Managed aerial filming utilizing Remotely Operated Aerial Vehicles (ROAVs) for a large-scale construction project.
- Spendy Fintech App (2019): Developed an AI-driven financial assistant.
- Smart Ring IOT App (2016-2017): Created a functional prototype to detect swimmers autonomously using drone technology.
Honors and Awards
- Dubai Police (2018): Awarded a certificate of appreciation for contributions to AI and drone technology development.
- UAE Drones for Good Award (2017): Recognized for building an award-winning rescue drone prototype.
- IBM Watson (2016): Collaborated with IBM to develop the Watson robot for Dubai Tourism.
Public Presence and Thought Leadership
Mo Aziz is actively engaged on social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, sharing insights and updates on Pluto's progress, the fintech landscape, and corporate spending innovations. His posts often highlight the milestones achieved by Pluto and celebrate the collaborative efforts of his team. For instance, he has shared updates on partnerships, product launches, and awards, emphasizing Pluto's ongoing commitment to financial transformation. Additionally, Mo Aziz participates in industry conferences and podcasts, such as the MENA CFO conference and the Fintech and Web3 Founders podcast, discussing the future of financial services and corporate spending.
