Michael Wallis-Brown | Official Profile on The Marque

Michael’s Biography

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Michael Wallis-Brown is the Founder and CEO of The Baia Group, a FinTech and data services company.

The Baia Group has created a revolutionary messaging product, BaiaNet, that connects gig workers to corporates in emerging markets and is accessible on any connected device. It has a powerful optimisation platform at its core that helps market participants in resolving the lack of trust, transparency and accountability, that leads to significant loss of revenue and assets. BaiaNet makes doing business as easy as messaging a friend.

Michael is a dynamic leader with excellent entrepreneurial insight, having founded several companies across the FinTech and Mobile Communications sectors, and advises boards on best practices. Before founding The Baia Group, he occupied the positions of COO and Board Advisor at Judopay, a global in-app secure payments platform, building on his experience as Founder and CEO of Tapp Market, a platform connecting commerce in physical, online and social spaces.

His involvement in digital platform creation, and in particular FinTech and mobile payment platforms,... Michael Wallis-Brown is the Founder and CEO of The Baia Group, a FinTech and data services company.

The Baia Group has created a revolutionary messaging product, BaiaNet, that connects gig workers to corporates in emerging markets and is accessible on any connected device. It has a powerful optimisation platform at its core that helps market participants in resolving the lack of trust, transparency and accountability, that leads to significant loss of revenue and assets. BaiaNet makes doing business as easy as messaging a friend.

Michael is a dynamic leader with excellent entrepreneurial insight, having founded several companies across the FinTech and Mobile Communications sectors, and advises boards on best practices. Before founding The Baia Group, he occupied the positions of COO and Board Advisor at Judopay, a global in-app secure payments platform, building on his experience as Founder and CEO of Tapp Market, a platform connecting commerce in physical, online and social spaces.

His involvement in digital platform creation, and in particular FinTech and mobile payment platforms, has allowed him the flexibility to develop and evolve ground-breaking technology in the digital technology space. Michael has worked for several innovative companies, including Prove (Payfone), Get It Group, Enea Openwave (Openwave Systems), Nokia, and IBM.

He began his career in South Africa as Manager of Marketing and Business Development at DigiOutsource before becoming General Manager at i-Cue, a joint venture between Independent News (a leading South African media company) and iTouch. He then expanded his knowledge, experience and interests in Australia, Asia Pacific, New York and Finland, making a considerable contribution to the digital technology disruption landscape.

An experienced investor, Michael is also a sponsor and mentor at YMCA Finland. His active volunteer role involves mentoring young people on teamwork and teaching them leadership skills. moreless

Michael’s Background

The Baia Group

Chief Executive Officer

Mar 2019 - Present

Turku, FI

The Baia Group is a FinTech and data services company. BaiaNet, a breakthrough messaging system launched by the Baia Group, connects contractors to emerging market corporations to improve commerce throughout Africa.

Judopay

Chief Commercial Officer & Board Advisor

Jul 2015 - Jul 2017

London, UK

Judopay is a payments company that creates secure solutions for receiving online, in-app and mobile payments. It strives to create the best overall payment experience, ensuring high-level security and support. The company believes that building connections enables exceptional growth, and works closely with well-established brands such as Mastercard and Visa.

Tapp

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Jan 2013 - Jul 2015

Helsinki, FI

Tapp is a financial technology company for individuals who do not have access to traditional banking services. It was founded in Finland in 2013 as a gateway application for developing markets. Tapp’s mission is to uplift and create equality amongst unbanked individuals. It ensures easy online banking transactions and has an estimated reach of 20 million consumers.

Prove

Vice President - International Growth

Jun 2009 - Dec 2013

New York, NY, USA

Prove’s innovative infrastructure allows individuals to verify their identity with just a phone. Its mission is to ensure the digital economy expands in a safe way, by using Phone Centric Identity™ to secure the dangerous facets of everyday digital life. Prove enables consumers to perform transactions in a safe and efficient way, providing trust as well as confidentiality.

Get It Group

Founder & Investor

Jul 2009 - Dec 2012

Brisbane, AU

Get It was an Australian-based social network aggregation app that collated content across social media platforms, allowing users to curate their online experience. The company was sold to a larger competitor in 2012.

Openwave Systems

Vice President & General Manager

Jun 2007 - Jun 2009

Reno, NV, USA

Openwave Systems is an international software company producing context-aware intervention and messaging solutions, allowing communication service providers to produce smarter services. Two of its products have launched as private companies: Openwave Mobility and Openwave Messaging.

Nokia

Director - Global Internet Channels & Services

Sep 2005 - Aug 2007

Espoo, FI

Nokia is a global communications, information technology and electronics company. It is devoted to creating and improving technology across mobile-, fixed- and cloud networks.

IBM

Head of Wireless Software and Services Asia Pacific

Oct 1999 - Feb 2004

Sydney, AU

Founded in 1911, International Business Machines (IBM) is an international computer technology and IT consulting company. After more than a century of innovation, IBM continues to be one of the largest computer corporations and systems integrators in the world.

i-CUE

General Manager

Jan 1998 - Feb 2000

Johannesburg, ZA

i-Cue was a joint venture between iTouch and the Independent News & Media group. The company developed and leveraged business models for data-driven businesses while creating integrated partnerships with organisations and customers.

DigiOutsource

Manager - Marketing and Business Development

Jan 1996 - Jan 1998

Cape Town, ZA

DigiOutsource is a digital outsourcing company specialising in customer relations management, development and support. The company supports and develops technology for one of the biggest online gaming platforms in Europe.

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Board Positions

Bioproton

Board Advisor

Oct 2016 - Present

Helsinki, FI

Bioproton is the creator and producer of excellent quality feed additives. The company was founded in 1984, and has since expanded across 45 countries. Bioproton is able to create additives specific to the global feed industry through significant investment in research and development.

Media

The Alternative Payment Processor - Tapp Group

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

2013

Helsinki, FI

Michael discusses the origins of the Tapp app, its purpose and functionality as an alternative payment method, and the ways in which it will benefit markets it is introduced into, particularly in South Asia.

Interviews

The role of digital infrastructure in Agriculture in Kenya

Interviewee

Oct 2019

Nairobi, KE

Michael discusses the importance of an integrated communications network for the development of the agriculture sector in Nairobi.

Publications

Social networks and FinTech: Why it pays to be mobile

Author

Aug 2016

London, UK

In his role as Chief Commercial Officer of Judopay, Michael shares his views on the partnership of social media and FinTech, and asks if social networks will become the new platform providing consumers with more online shopping opportunities.

Memberships

Australian Institute of Company Directors

Member

Jul 2007 - Present

Sydney, AU

The Australian Institute of Company Directors is an independent network of Directors, CEOs and other business leaders, building a community that seeks to strengthen world-class societal governance benefitting society.

Community Engagement

YMCA Finland

Sponsor & Mentor

Feb 2014 - Present

Turku, FI

The Finnish branch of the YMCA is part of a global organisation supporting the well-being and development of the youth. It provides a space for recreational activities and educational classes enabling the growth and betterment of communities.

Investments

Sara Digital Investments

Singapore, SG

Michael invests in early-stage startups through Sara Digital Investments. This Singapore entity invests largely in The Baia Group.

Michael’s Education

Australian Graduate School of Management

Executive MBA, Corporate Finance & Strategic Marketing

2001 - 2005

UCT | University of Cape Town

Bachelor of Social Science, Economics & Political Science

1993 - 1995

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