fDi Podcast

Much like the rest of the world, investment promotion agencies (IPAs) are grappling with a new world order underpinned by geopolitical instability and rising inflation.fDi Intelligence’s global investment reporter Seth O’Farrell travelled to the World Investment Conference organised by Waipa (the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies), held in Geneva between 12 and 14 September, to find out what IPA directors had to say in all of this.This podcast episode explores the extent to which IPAs are at a juncture as their role changes into a more proactive one, how concerns over energy security are shaping the sustainability agenda and what the so-called “future” of FDI looks like in a more turbulent, competitive context.

The beginning of 2022 has been among the most turbulent in recent memory. Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, millions of people have fled the country. Alongside billions of dollars worth of damage in Ukraine, the war has caused global prices for everything from fuel to food to soar. Multilateral institutions have subsequently downgraded their economic forecasts for many countries around the world.In this joint podcast from fDi Intelligence and the Banker, co-hosts Alex Irwin-Hunt and Burhan Khadbai discuss what is concerning policymakers, bankers and investors most during this period of uncertainty. Based on conversations with attendees at the EBRD's 2022 annual meeting and business forum held from 10-12 May in Marrakech, Morocco, this podcast explores themes including the EBRD's engagement in Morocco, the wide-ranging impacts of war in Ukraine and why the green transition must be inclusive.

Famous for The Beatles, football and its waterfront, Liverpool is also a notable case study in cultural urban regeneration. It won its bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008 and has since become a popular city break destination, attracting over 50m tourists a year pre-pandemic.Claire McColgan, director of Culture Liverpool, talks to fDi about the impact of the award on the city, how it grew in confidence and the experience of Liverpool losing its Unesco World Heritage Status last year as a result of developments on the docks. Now, weakened by the pandemic due to its exposure to the visitor economy, Claire reflects on where the city is headed next and how it can retain its distinctiveness.

The Tate Modern needs little introduction. As one of the most recognisable museums in the world, it has helped put London on the map as an international art and cultural centre. But perhaps less often discussed is its contribution towards the transformation of London’s waterfront in what could be described as a “Tate Modern effect”. In conversation with Seth O’Farrell, Frances Morris stresses that throughout the museum’s history, it has engaged the local community so as not to “parachute” into an area it had little to do with. But challenges have emerged with the encroachment of privatisation and neighbouring commercial developments. Now, with the increasing need for private funding, the pandemic and the climate crisis, Ms Morris is confident that the museum can step up to the plate as the demands on the "museum of the 21st century" change once more.

Covid-19 has disrupted global supply chains in everything from semiconductors to vaccines. Jennifer Bisceglie, the CEO and founder of supply chain risk company Interos, has spent over two decades helping organisations reduce risk and avoid disruption in their supply chains.From her base in Arlington, Virginia, Ms Bisceglie joins fDi’s regular start-up podcast to discuss global supply chains and Interos’ recent crowning as a unicorn, or private company valued above $1bn. Listeners can expect a candid discussion on how businesses can manage supply chain disruption, what is needed to empower female entrepreneurs in the US and the reality of being a founder in Arlington. This episode was recorded on November 11 2021.

Software as a service (SaaS) platforms are particularly scalable, making them highly sought after by both venture capital and public market investors. The journey of Freshworks, a provider of SaaS to help businesses engage with their customers, is a case in point. Since being founded in the Indian city of Chennai in 2010, Freshworks has moved its headquarters to San Mateo, California and in September 2021 listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange at a valuation of $10.1bn.Girish Mathrubootham, the founder and CEO of Freshworks, joined fDi’s Rising Ecosystems podcast to discuss his experiences as an entrepreneur in Chennai, the changes from taking his software company public and why he believes more global software companies will emerge from India.This episode was recorded on October 29.

When Harpa Concert Hall opened in 2011, it was met with anger and dismay as the fallout from the banking crisis still roiled Iceland. Now, the honeycombed glass structure, which doubles up as a conference centre, boasts an approval rating of over 70% and is a main attraction for foreign visitors who come to visit Reykjavik.As it celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, Svanhildur Konráðsdóttir tells fDi how the concert hall has gone from being perceived as a symbol of greed to a source of pride and why the added dimension of being a conference centre has proved so successful.

Katowice offers its visitors something alternative to picturesque Krakow, only 70km away. Once the industrial heartland of communist Poland, the city and surrounding region of Upper Silesia was synonymous with coal and far from being perceived as a hub for the arts. As the coal mines were closed down in the mid-1990s, there was also a push to make Katowice, known as “the city of music”, into a cultural centre.Ewa Bogusz-Moore, director of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR), tells fDi how the city’s pre-existing legacy with classical music helped kick start its cultural rejuvenation and why the pandemic has shone a spotlight on new ways of engaging music lovers. 

Mexico City-based Kavak, an online used car marketplace start-up now valued at $8.7bn, is on a mission to improve transparency, safety and access to financing in the used car market across Latin America.Carlos Garcia Ottati, a serial entrepreneur who founded Kavak in 2016 after leading other notable start-ups across the region, joined fDi’s Rising Ecosystems podcast to discuss Kavak’s backstory, his outlook for the used car market and what is unique about building a start-up in Latin America.Listener’s can expect a frank conversation about the influence of e-commerce platform Linio’s on Mexico’s ecosystem, the unique challenges facing entrepreneurs in emerging markets and why Mr Garcia Ottati believes the best talent should join start-ups.