Ep 342 - Nichel Gaba - The Hustle Behind PDAX
EPISODE INTRODUCTION
In this episode of Hustleshare, we welcome Nichel Gaba, the founder and CEO of PDAX, a groundbreaking cryptocurrency exchange in the Philippines. Nichel takes us on his remarkable journey from a risk-averse banking professional at HSBC to a trailblazer in the crypto space. He shares his insights on the evolution of the Philippine startup ecosystem, the importance of timing in entrepreneurship, and the unique regulatory landscape that supports innovation. With a passion for making crypto accessible to Filipinos, Nichel discusses the challenges of fundraising, building a resilient team, and navigating the complexities of the fintech industry. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a crypto enthusiast, or someone curious about the future of finance, this episode is filled with valuable lessons and inspiring stories that you won't want to miss!
Episode Timeline:
[00:02:41] - Nichel's Hustle: PDAX
[00:04:01] - From Corporate to Business School
[00:07:42] - Discovering Crypto Trading and the Birth of PDAX
[00:09:30] - The Importance of Timing in Startup Success
[00:10:43] - The Itch to Start Something New
[00:11:35] - Gaining Perspective from Going Abroad to Wharton
[00:13:31] - Taking the Leap Despite Being Risk-Averse
[00:18:16] - Building Up PDAX
[00:20:55] - The Supportive Regulatory Environment in the Philippines
[00:23:28] - Carving Out a Niche in the Crypto Market
[00:25:30] - Fundraising for PDAX: Credibility and Reputation
[00:28:32] - Navigating Crisis and Building Team Resilience
[00:31:00] - Achieving Product-Market Fit
[00:36:53] - Raising $12.5 Million During the Pandemic
[00:45:20] - Leadership Style and Team Development
[00:49:08] - Balancing Peacetime and Wartime Leadership
[00:52:39] - Understanding the Younger Generation in the Workplace
[00:56:14] - Attrition in a Start Up
[01:00:23] - The Importance Attributes to Look For in Team Building
[01:04:40] - Tips for Raising Capital During the Pandemic
[01:08:23] - Future Plans for PDAX
QUOTES
I've come to believe that the most important role of a leader is to set the systems to facilitate learning in a group or an organization. The goal of a leader is to help those around you learn. Yes, obviously you're gonna direct or guide people, do this, do that, do this. But then in order for the organization to grow, everyone has to be developing. - Nichel Gaba
CONNECT WITH NICHEL:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nichel-gaba-cfa-57864a96/
Website: https://pdax.ph/
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