Fraud-Proof & Future-Ready
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Thu Apr 10, 17:30 - Thu Apr 10, 19:00
Innovation City
ABOUT
50% of businesses don’t make it past their first five years—and even established companies aren’t immune to shifting markets and rising competitive pressures. For South African businesses, growth without security isn’t just risky - it’s costly.
At Innovation City, we’re bringing together industry leaders to discuss how businesses can scale securely, navigate fraud risks, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. A featured highlight of this discussion will be insights from Smile ID’s latest Digital Identity Fraud in Africa Report. As a leading provider of identity verification and fraud prevention solutions across Africa, Smile ID has identified that authentication fraud attempts now outpace onboarding fraud 4 to 1 - a major challenge for businesses expanding their customer base!
Join experts from leading companies as they share practical strategies and real-world lessons on balancing growth with security, protecting customer trust, and future-proofing businesses against fraud.
Key Takeaways:
- Challenges fintechs, digital banks, and businesses face in scaling securely
- Strategies for balancing rapid expansion with strong authentication practices
- Real-world insights from Digital Identity Fraud in Africa Report
- The rise of Gen AI-enabled fraud and its impact on business growth
- Lessons from top brands on scaling successfully in South Africa
- Technologies that enable secure, long-term customer growth
In today’s market, growth without protection isn’t an option!
Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for leaders and decision-makers focused on scaling their businesses while mitigating fraud risks:
- CEOs & Founders – Looking to expand operations without exposing their business to fraud risks.
- CFOs & Risk Managers – Navigating the financial and security challenges of growth.
- Heads of Growth & Strategy – Balancing rapid expansion with secure customer acquisition.
- Compliance & Fraud Prevention Experts – Staying ahead of evolving fraud tactics.
- Fintech & Digital Banking Leaders – Competing with established alternatives while ensuring security.
- Technology & Operations Executives – Implementing secure and scalable digital infrastructures.
If your business is growing - or plans to - you can’t afford to ignore fraud. Join the conversation and stay ahead.
SPEAKERS
Dustin Strydom serves as the Commercial Director for Southern Africa at Smile Identity. In this role, he is responsible for driving growth within the region and cultivating relationships with key Pan-African clients. Mr. Strydom possesses over 15 years of experience in the technology sector, with a focus on commercial transactions, technology consulting, and regulatory technology (regtech). He leverages his expertise to assist clients in effectively implementing Smile Identity's digital KYC products for secure user onboarding and fraud prevention. He began his career in private equity.
Co-founder & CEO at Peach Payments | EO Cape Town
Rahul Jain is a fintech leader with deep expertise in digital payments, specializing in Africa and other emerging markets. As the Co-founder and CEO of Peach Payments, he is driving innovation in online transactions, helping businesses optimize payment workflows, enhance user experience, and scale efficiently.
With a background in strategy consulting, Rahul has worked extensively with Tier 1 retailers, airlines, and online merchants, shaping their core business strategies and enabling seamless digital commerce. His expertise spans online retail, payment systems, mobile wallets, risk management, and cross-border regulatory compliance. Passionate about transforming digital payments, he continues to push the boundaries of financial technology to empower businesses across emerging economies.
From selling Ferraris in France, French-born Thomas Pays has now become one of South Africa’s most affluent serial techpreneurs. Arriving with a little more than a dream and R500 in his pocket, Pays was quickly struck by the South Africa’s vibrant people and potential for business innovation. Even though it initially took some convincing from his South African wife, Oriel Pays, Pays took the plunge and relocated to the country for good in 2005, and has not looked back since.
PARKING
Location: We're just off Kloof Street on Darter Road.
Traffic Alert: Please be cautious of traffic heading into town.
Parking Options:
- Parking options around Kloof Street
Recommended: It's always best to use Uber for convenience.
VIDEO
INNOVATION CITY MEMBERS
NOTE: Innovation City members can get free access to all IC weekly events. (You will find the discount code on the IC app.)
EVENT ATTENDANCE
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We look forward to welcoming you to Innovation City and appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
DISCLAIMER
*Disclaimer: By purchasing a ticket to this event, you acknowledge and agree that your access to the venue is contingent upon presenting your ticket for entry. By registering for this event, you agree to subscribe to Innovation City's weekly newsletter. You are welcome to cancel the subscription at any time. Innovation City members attend for free.