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Meet Our Founders

GoChapaa Team - Meet Our Founders and Team MembersGoChapaa Team - Meet Our Founders and Team Members

Sam Kim​

Sam Kim - Co-FounderSam Kim - Co-Founder

Sam Kim - Co-Founder

Ex Merrill Lynch - 25+ years in finance & social impact investing

Background​

  • Ex Merrill Lynch - 25+ years in finance & social impact investing
  • Public speaker and Government Advisor
  • Raised in Kenya - deep understanding of local markets
  • Education: New York University, Hankook University of Foreign Studies

Experience​

  • Investment banking expertise from Merrill Lynch
  • Social impact focus on emerging markets
  • Government relations and policy advisory
  • Public speaking on fintech and financial inclusion

Vision for GoChapaa​

Sam brings decades of financial expertise and a deep understanding of both global markets and local African contexts. His experience in investment banking provides the financial acumen needed to build a sustainable business, while his social impact focus ensures GoChapaa serves the communities that need it most.

Dr. Paul "Moon Sup" Choi​

Dr. Paul Choi - Co-FounderDr. Paul Choi - Co-Founder

Dr. Paul "Moon Sup" Choi - Co-Founder

Professor of Finance and Statistics - academic excellence in financial theory

Background​

  • Professor of Finance and Statistics - academic excellence in financial theory
  • Former Advisor to FSC and other governments
  • Author of "Fintech with AI, Big Data, and Blockchain" (2021) - Published by Springer
  • Raised in Kenya - local market understanding
  • Education: Harvard, Cornell, Yonsei, Ewha University

Expertise​

  • Academic research in fintech and blockchain
  • Government advisory on financial regulation
  • AI and Big Data applications in finance
  • Blockchain technology and its practical applications

Vision for GoChapaa​

Dr. Choi combines academic rigor with practical experience in financial technology. His research in AI, Big Data, and Blockchain provides the technical foundation for GoChapaa's innovative solutions, while his government advisory experience ensures regulatory compliance and sustainable growth.

Shared Vision​

Common Ground​

Both founders share:

  • Kenyan upbringing - deep local market understanding
  • International education - global perspective and best practices
  • Financial expertise - complementary skills in banking and academia
  • Social impact focus - commitment to financial inclusion

Complementary Skills​

  • Sam: Investment banking, government relations, public speaking
  • Paul: Academic research, AI/Blockchain expertise, regulatory knowledge
  • Together: Complete skill set for building a successful fintech company

Leadership Philosophy​

Mission-Driven Approach​

  • Personal mission - not just a business opportunity
  • Local focus - building for the communities they know
  • Long-term vision - sustainable growth and impact
  • Community engagement - working with, not for, users

Values​

  • Integrity - honest and transparent operations
  • Innovation - continuous improvement and adaptation
  • Inclusion - financial services for everyone
  • Impact - measurable positive change in communities

Advisory Experience​

Government Relations​

  • Sam: Government advisor on financial policy
  • Paul: Former FSC advisor on financial regulation
  • Combined: Strong relationships with regulatory bodies

Industry Expertise​

  • Sam: 25+ years in investment banking
  • Paul: Academic research in fintech and blockchain
  • Combined: Deep understanding of both traditional and emerging finance

Academic Contributions​

Research and Publications​

  • Dr. Choi's book: "Fintech with AI, Big Data, and Blockchain" (2021)
  • Academic papers on financial technology
  • Conference presentations on emerging market finance
  • Industry reports on blockchain applications

Thought Leadership​

  • Public speaking on fintech and financial inclusion
  • Media appearances on financial technology
  • Industry panels on emerging market finance
  • Academic conferences on blockchain and AI

Personal Commitment​

Local Investment​

  • Personal investment in Kenyan communities
  • Long-term presence in African markets
  • Family connections to local communities
  • Cultural understanding of local financial behaviors

Global Perspective​

  • International education and experience
  • Global network of financial professionals
  • Best practices from developed markets
  • Innovation adapted for emerging markets

Building the Future​

Vision for GoChapaa​

Together, Sam and Paul are building GoChapaa to be:

  • The leading fintech platform in emerging markets
  • A model for community-driven financial services
  • A bridge between traditional and digital finance
  • A catalyst for financial inclusion and empowerment

Long-term Goals​

  • Scale globally while maintaining local focus
  • Empower communities through financial tools
  • Drive innovation in emerging market finance
  • Create lasting impact in underserved populations

Contact Information​

Contact Information - Founders and Project ManagersContact Information - Founders and Project Managers

Built by locals, for locals, with global expertise and local understanding.