Can alternative, individual uses of technologies give us a glimpse into how systemic change might look like? We spotlight three examples that use new technologies to reimagine financial and economic models or hold governments accountable for their spending.
A fireside chat moderated by Rita Isiba zooms into Agnes Aistleitner’s journey from being an entrepreneur to investing in companies that transform the FinTech landscape on the African continent, from her initial motivation to the learnings and challenges encountered along the way.
Bios
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Agnes Aistleitner Kisuule
AT
Agnes Aistleitner Kisuule is partner and co-founder First Circle Capital, an early-stage fund established in 2021 focusing on fintech in Africa, with a portfolio of twelve companies. She is an experienced operator 10+ years with a background in building businesses in emerging markets, including textile manufacturing ventures in Jordan and Ukraine, and a tech business in Uganda. Agnes is also an active VC ecosystem contributor and writes a Macro Economic focused newsletter called the Data Dive.
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Photo: Petia NiederländerPetia Niederländer
AT
Petia Niederländer is Director for Payments of the Austrian National Bank and member of the Digital Euro High-Level Task Force of the Eurosystem. Prior to that she had several management positions in payments and banking. From 2015 to 2020 she served on the board of EBA Clearing.
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Photo: Vinicius BorgesRafael Madureira dos Anjos
BR
Rafael Madureira dos Anjos is a specialist in public management and artificial intelligence, with extensive practical experience and theoretical knowledge. He has worked in key areas within the executive branch, structuring processes and leading public policies. In 2019, he was recognized by MIT, where he coordinates the Revelagov project within Solve. He received the INAC Award in 2022 and the 11th Latam Digital Award in 2024. A member of ABES’s AI Working Group, he gives national and international lectures.
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Photo: Ina AydoganRita Isiba
AT
Rita Isiba is the Executive Director of ZARA (Zivilcourage & Anti-Rassismus Arbeit), Austria’s leading anti-hate organization focused on promoting social cohesion and providing victim support. In this role, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives and campaigns to combat racism and discrimination.
In 2016, she founded Aphropean Partners, a communication agency specializing in team cohesion and workplace inclusion, where she has successfully led several high-profile projects across different industries.
As a lecturer at Vienna’s University of Applied Arts, Rita teaches community engagement and empowerment in the Applied Human Rights Master’s program. She is a respected voice in her field, frequently invited to speak at conferences and seminars on empowerment, cohesion and inclusion.
Rita resides in Vienna with her family, and in her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures and reading crime/thriller books by female authors.
Credits
This project has been developed and is presented in the context of the STARTS in the City project. STARTS in the City has received funding from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology under grant agreement No. LC-01984766.
