Where Capital
Meets Craft

Co-Founder & Chairman

Bassim Haidar

Bassim is an internationally recognised entrepreneur and investor with more than 30 years of experience building and scaling businesses globally. As Founder of Optasia (formerly Channel VAS), he built one of the world's leading fintech platforms, serving hundreds of millions of consumers across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. A serial entrepreneur, Bassim has founded and invested in multiple businesses across technology, financial services and telecommunications. He brings a founder's perspective to Knuru, combining entrepreneurial instinct, strategic vision and a proven ability to identify opportunities, attract exceptional talent and build businesses over the long term.

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Alain Dib

Alain has more than 25 years of experience across investment banking, private equity, private credit and principal investing. Prior to Knuru, Alain served as CIO of Waha Capital and held senior leadership positions at Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas, leading investments, financings and capital markets transactions across multiple sectors and asset classes. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with entrepreneurs and management teams, supporting businesses from early growth through to large-scale institutional transactions and public markets. His experience combines institutional discipline, investment judgment and deep structuring expertise across complex opportunities.

Investment Associate

Carlo Alberto Zucca

Carlo focuses on venture capital and growth-stage technology investments across the Knuru platform. He brings more than 7 years of financial services experience. Prior to Knuru, he advised founders, investors and growth companies on transactions and strategic initiatives across Europe, the Middle East and North America, including roles at ARC Group and GründerAtelier. His work combines transaction execution, market analysis and a strong understanding of entrepreneurial businesses and emerging technologies.

Investment Associate

Ardin Dekker

Ardin focuses on private credit, real assets and special situations across the Knuru platform. He brings more than 5 years of debt experience and over 7 years of financial services experience, supporting transactions across asset-backed lending, structured finance, hospitality developments and private market investments. His work spans origination, underwriting, transaction execution and portfolio management. Prior to Knuru, Ardin worked at Optasia and served on the Innovation Committee of the Dutch Sport Tech Fund.

Finance & Operations Manager

Nitin Salian

Nitin is a Chartered Accountant with more than 15 years of experience across accounting, audit, finance and corporate advisory. Prior to Knuru, he held senior positions with Russell Bedford, Advice Pro and RSM, and founded Amoh Consulting. His experience spans financial reporting, governance, compliance and operational management across a range of industries. He oversees the financial and operational functions of the Knuru platform, supporting the firm's continued growth and institutional development.