Previously she served as the Managing Director of Accion Venture Lab, a seed-stage venture capital fund focused on inclusive fintech. Prior to that, Tahira was at LeapFrog Investments, an emerging market private equity impact fund focused on financial services, and worked as Director of Strategy at the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development where she drove strategic initiatives for portfolio companies and led new investments in telecoms, technology, and financial services in Asia and Africa. Tahira also worked at Roshan, Afghanistan’s leading telecommunications operator, where she was Head of Corporate Strategy and helped launch the country’s first mobile money platform. Tahira began her career as a management consultant with Bain & Company in Boston.
Tahira holds an MBA from INSEAD and BAs in International Relations, Computer Science, and Education from Brown University and is a professor teaching courses on Venture Capital and Impact Investing at Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University. She is an advisor to Village Capital, a mentor for TechStars, and on the Investor Advisory Board of The Fourth Effect. Tahira lives in Washington DC; she is a voracious reader, practices martial arts and teaches self-defense, and loves to explore the city and beyond.
My interest in financial focused apps is deeply rooted in my experience witnessing the transformative power of financial tools firsthand. From my time launching mobile payments in Afghanistan where basic financial infrastructure was lacking to my work with Accion Venture Lab and LeapFrog Investments and now at ResilienceVC, I've seen how access to high-quality, relevant, and affordable financial tools can unlock economic opportunity and improve lives.
This isn’t a small or niche problem: here in the US, over 70% of the population isn’t financially healthy; the majority of people in this country live paycheck-to-paycheck, lack adequate savings - both short term and retirement savings, are not sufficiently protected from inevitable shocks and risks, and aren’t building the assets that can enable upward economic mobility. Most low- and moderate-income Americans aren’t well served by the financial system, in large part because historically it hasn’t been profitable to serve them. But technology can be a powerful equalizer and can fundamentally transform the cost curve, reducing the cost to acquire and serve customers, making it possible to profitably reach all Americans.
I'm convinced that technology, when utilized to build responsible products and services, can enable financial services to reach underserved populations at scale, driving huge user value and investor returns. Good financial products are about more than just enabling transactions; they are about empowering individuals and communities to build financial resilience. I'm driven to invest in and support founders by the potential to create a more equitable financial ecosystem where everyone has the tools they need to thrive.
We're entering an era where financial services are becoming increasingly personalized and proactive and will meet customers where they are. The growth in embedded finance, where financial services are seamlessly integrated into other products, services, channels, and value chains where customers are already engaging and transacting, means that people will have better and more streamlined user experiences and will be able to access tailored solutions more easily. We’re already seeing a surge in apps and tools that leverage AI to provide hyper-personalized financial guidance. This could include AI-powered budgeting tools that adapt to individual spending patterns, help people manage their debt or save optimally, and platforms that proactively identify and mitigate potential financial risks.
ResilienceVC is more than just a venture fund; it's a mission-driven platform for building a more resilient and equitable financial future for Americans. We're focused on investing in early-stage fintech companies that are not only financially viable but also deeply committed to driving measurable financial resilience for consumers and small businesses in this country. We believe that building financial resilience isn’t just an impact goal, but is a critical driver of long-term returns. We're building a portfolio of companies that are addressing critical challenges and gaps in the financial system, enabling users to grow net income, build assets, and mitigate risks, driving financial stability. We want to be the go-to partner for founders who are building the next generation of impactful fintech companies, providing them with the capital, expertise, and network they need to scale their businesses. We aim to prove that financial returns and social good are not mutually exclusive; they're intrinsically linked. We want to be known as the fund that backs the best founders - those that are building scalable, profitable companies and improving financial resilience for all.
It’s not a secret per se, but one key element of success for me has been my innate curiosity. It's a driving force behind my approach to everything I do. I have a deep desire to understand the 'why' behind things and to understand how things work. I also want to better understand people and their experiences - what drives them, why they look at the world a certain way. This curiosity extends to every aspect of my work - it pushes me to delve into the intricacies of a business and ensure I understand every element of its business model and the possible opportunities and risks it poses. It also extends to a relentless focus on understanding the needs, wants, and behaviors of the end user. I believe that the best innovation comes from the ability to learn how customers use and experience solutions. It's not just about building a product; it's about understanding the needs, challenges, and aspirations of the people we're serving. Ultimately my curiosity enables me to learn, to understand, and to ultimately create solutions that make a real difference.
Without a doubt, the woman I admire most is my mother, Zulekha Charania. Her journey is one of incredible resilience and unwavering dedication. Growing up, I witnessed her navigate significant challenges with grace and strength. She instilled in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of giving back to my community. Her commitment to learning and teaching, even amidst adversity, shaped my own belief in the power of knowledge and its ability to transform lives. She pursued and ultimately received her master's degree at the age of almost 60, truly embodying the ethic of lifelong learning. She also possesses an extraordinary capacity for empathy and understanding, which has profoundly influenced my approach to building relationships and supporting others. She has been an example of how to build a life of purpose and to always prioritize helping others. She has shown me the importance of building strong communities and of always looking to lift up those around you. Her influence is the foundation of my drive to create positive change through my work, and she continues to be my greatest source of inspiration and guidance.
My martial arts practice is an essential part of my life. It's far more than just a physical activity; it's a discipline that shapes my mindset and approach to the world. The training provides a vital mental and physical release, and it teaches me to stay present and adaptable. The skills I’ve learned - the focus, the resilience, the constant pursuit of self-improvement - permeate every aspect of my life. Like most of life, growth in martial arts isn’t linear; instead it’s painstaking achieved with lots of ups and downs. And let’s be honest, we all have days when we need to hit something to get the stress out!
I'm particularly excited about the continued and rapid advancement of AI, especially in the development of sophisticated AI agents and automation. We're on the cusp of seeing AI transform financial services in profound ways, from personalized financial planning and risk management to automated fraud detection and customer service. I believe that AI agents will become increasingly integrated into our daily financial lives, providing seamless and intelligent support. Beyond traditional fintech applications, I am also deeply interested in the application of fintech solutions to address problems across all sectors. We’re beginning to see the emergence of innovative fintech companies that are tackling critical challenges like climate change and the impact of extreme weather patterns. For example, we are seeing new insurance products that are built to help people recover from climate disasters. There is a huge opportunity to use fintech to build resilience and to help people adapt to a changing world.
