Chocolate Finance Names Shiv Sharma Business Chief, AUM Nears S$1.5 Billion
Chocolate Finance, a Singapore-based fintech company, has appointed Shiv Sharma as its new Chief Business Officer. Sharma, who previously served as President and COO of Stocktwits and held roles at Amazon Web Services and Cisco, will lead the company’s growth and finance functions, including customer acquisition and strategic partnerships. This strategic hire comes as Chocolate Finance celebrates its second anniversary, with assets under management nearing S$1.5 billion, marking a 60% increase year-over-year. The company currently serves approximately 150,000 customers and has delivered over S$50 million in returns since its inception, signaling a strong foundation for its planned expansion into new products and markets. Founder and CEO Walter de Oude emphasized that Sharma’s expertise will be crucial in accelerating the company’s transition from launch to “super scale” growth.
The appointment of Shiv Sharma as Chief Business Officer at Chocolate Finance signals a significant move for the Singaporean fintech firm as it aims for aggressive expansion beyond its home market. Sharma’s background, particularly his experience at Stocktwits, AWS, and Cisco, brings a blend of financial technology, cloud infrastructure, and operational scaling expertise that is critical for a startup transitioning from a strong foundational phase to hyper-growth. This strategic hire underscores the competitive landscape within Asia’s fintech sector, where attracting top-tier talent is paramount for companies looking to scale rapidly and capture market share.
Furthermore, Chocolate Finance’s impressive growth in assets under management (AUM) to nearly S$1.5 billion within two years highlights the robust demand for alternative investment platforms in Southeast Asia. This growth, coupled with the company’s focus on expanding into new products and markets, reflects a broader trend of fintech innovators leveraging digital solutions to democratize access to financial services and generate returns for a wider customer base. The emphasis on “super scale” growth, while maintaining sustainable discipline, indicates a mature approach to expansion that could serve as a model for other emerging startups in the region.
