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Riaz Mehta's entrepreneurial journey reads like a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and the courage to jump into unfamiliar waters. From his successful tech career and IPO to founding groundbreaking media ventures, Riaz embodies the spirit of creative risk-taking that transforms industries.

When faced with the question "what's next" after his tech exit, Riaz followed his creative instincts into uncharted territory. Despite knowing "nothing about making television," he secured format licences from reality TV pioneer Mark Burnett and dove headfirst into production. This leap of faith led to a pivotal innovation when financial constraints forced him to pioneer branded content in Asia - approaching property developer Sime Darby and paint manufacturer Dulux to fund his first original show format The Apartment in exchange for authentic brand integration.

The conversation takes fascinating turns as Riaz reveals how adversity sparked his most innovative ventures. When a US TV rights distribution company sold his content but withheld payment, rather than pursuing costly legal battles, Riaz used this setback to create AllRites, a marketplace for film and TV content that democratised the distribution process. This pattern of transforming obstacles into opportunities defines his path: "I don't believe there's such a thing as failure... everything is a learning and whatever happens leads us to a higher purpose."

Riaz offers glimpses into his latest ventures harnessing blockchain technology and AI to revolutionise entertainment. His platform RiteStream enables communities to fund creative projects, while RiteStream+ (described as "Netflix on the blockchain") shares advertising revenue with investor / viewers. Perhaps most intriguing is his format "CryptoKnights" a Shark Tank for crypto that allows viewers to invest alongside the show's featured investors.

For entrepreneurs and creatives seeking inspiration, Riaz's philosophy that "success is not a destination" but part of a journey where "failure is not an option" provides both comfort and challenge. His advice to stay authentic whilst embracing technological evolution offers a roadmap for navigating an entertainment landscape increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you equipped with the tools to lead with confidence, overcome obstacles and unlock The Power Within

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