“Accessing funding shouldn’t be a roadblock to growth. Startups and small businesses deserve a financial ecosystem that supports their ambitions.” – Malachi Halliday

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, Malachi Halliday, founder of HFS and a 15-year veteran of the UAE startup ecosystem, joins Mehmet to discuss the pressing issue of cash flow challenges faced by startups and small businesses. Together, they explore innovative funding solutions, the structural hurdles in the UAE, and the importance of financial preparedness for growth.

Malachi shares his journey of funding MSMEs, insights into alternative financing options, and actionable advice to help businesses unlock their potential.

Key Takeaways:

• The unique cash flow challenges faced by startups and MSMEs in the UAE.

• Why traditional banks often fail to meet the needs of small businesses.

• How alternative funding options like factoring and revenue-based financing are bridging the gap.

• The critical role of financial preparedness and collections in scaling a business.

• How funding startups and small businesses drives economic growth, competition, and innovation.

What You’ll Learn:

• The structural challenges of securing funding in the UAE and how to overcome them.

• The benefits of providing startups and MSMEs with accessible funding.

• Strategies for improving financial readiness before seeking funding.

• Real-life examples of how businesses have thrived after receiving tailored financial support.

About the Guest:

Malachi Halliday is the founder of HFS (Halliday Forfaiting Services), a UAE-based company dedicated to funding startups and MSMEs across the region.

Malachi is an award-winning 𝐌𝐒𝐌𝐄 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭.

He 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 to UAE-based, B2B, post-revenue businesses with revenue below AED20m p.a.

With a mission to fund 2,000 businesses by 2030, Malachi brings a wealth of experience in providing working capital and financial advisory services tailored to the unique needs of small businesses.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/malachihalliday/

https://www.hallidayforfaiting.com/

Episode Highlights:

• [00:01:00] Malachi introduces himself and his mission to support MSMEs in the UAE.

• [00:03:00] The challenges startups face with cash flow and accessing bank funding.

• [00:07:00] Why traditional banking isn’t always a solution for small businesses.

• [00:10:00] Success stories: Funding that drives competition and innovation.

• [00:14:00] The importance of financial readiness and preparation before seeking funding.

• [00:23:00] Common mistakes startups make after raising funds.

• [00:27:00] Trends in SME financing and the role of innovation and technology.

• [00:30:00] How HFS uses technology to bridge funding gaps.

• [00:34:00] Malachi’s final advice: Mastering collections and improving payment terms.