Nima Karimi is the founder and CEO of Lendela, a digital loan matchmaking platform that helps users access personal loans with transparency.

Lendela raised a $2M Pre-Series A in 2021 and launched in Australia this year.

‍

👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I started Lendela to digitize the loan matchmaking process so consumers are empowered with choice and transparency over their loan decisions. 

‍

🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

We have over 1,000 reviews on Google and an average of 5.0 stars! Considering that taking a loan is such a personal and private experience I am very proud of the fact that our customers are willing to share their experience publicly. 

‍

🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Becoming profitable on a group level.

‍

🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

I recently learned about LK-99; super-conductors that would work at room temperature. 

It’s the most amazing thing I know about right now, that I was completely oblivious about only a few weeks ago. 

‍

💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

Don’t do it for the money. Building a startup is probably the worst way to make money. 

Don’t assume VC funding is the way to go. The VC model is only suitable for a select group of businesses and getting it might not actually benefit your company.

‍

🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

My company and the problem we are solving for borrowers and lenders!

‍

🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

‍

🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Pistachio all day every day.

‍

FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.