Inside Alunafi: From Ground Zero to Growth

Joining a fintech startup is never just about changing jobs. It’s about changing mindset, pace, and perspective. For Paul Schembri, Operations Officer at Alunafi, that shift meant moving from the fast-paced world of iGaming into a growing fintech environment where everything is still being built, sometimes in real time.

Learning a new industry, one conversation at a time

Born in England, Maltese by roots, with a touch of Irish charm (and, as he jokes, “the gift of the gab”), Paul brings people skills, business intuition, and operational experience into a company that values learning from the ground up.

“I’m learning everything from the ground zero.”

Paul joined Alunafi at a moment where his experience could truly make an impact. Coming from a different industry, he saw opportunity. Not in familiarity, but in difference.

Alunafi, as a growing fintech startup, offered something unique:

• A chance to build, not just maintain
• A team small enough for every contribution to matter
• An environment where curiosity is valued as much as expertise

“I think I’m at an age where I can contribute more to a start-up company.”

The giving-while-learning balance quickly became central to his role.

Operations at the core: making onboarding human

As an Operations Officer, Paul works closely with clients from their very first interaction with Alunafi. His role spans:

• Supporting company onboarding
• Guiding clients through early processes
• Acting as a bridge between users and internal teams
• Simplifying what can often feel complex

For Paul, operations isn’t just process. It’s people.

“I help clients come on board from first interactions,
and then follow up later on with any issues.
The goal is to make everything easier.”

This client-facing foundation has given him a rare, end-to-end view of how Alunafi works, from back office systems to real human needs.

The challenge he’s most proud of: catching up fast

Entering fintech without a traditional background in the industry comes with challenges. Paul works alongside colleagues with deep regulatory and financial expertise, which initially felt daunting. But that pressure became fuel.

“I’m understanding more out of practice than I ever thought I would just a couple of months ago.”

Understanding the business quickly, not just theoretically, but operationally, is what Paul considers one of his biggest accomplishments so far.

A turning point: applying past experience to future growth

Now, after months of learning the foundations, Paul sees a clear turning point.

With a solid understanding of Alunafi’s systems, clients, and workflows, he’s starting to apply lessons from his previous roles in large-scale companies:

• How big organizations think about growth
• How data informs smarter decisions
• How operational efficiency unlocks scale

“I’ve worked with very large companies. And I know their mentality.
So how do we get us there?”

This mindset, ambitious, structured, and long-term, is shaping how he sees his future at Alunafi.

Looking ahead: growth, people, and smart opportunities

Looking toward 2026, Paul is confident about Alunafi’s trajectory.

“Alunafi will grow even bigger. Personally, I’ll see where I can contribute more.”

His focus is clear:

• Bringing new business opportunities
• Identifying “low-hanging fruit” that benefits both clients and the company
• Leveraging relationships, data, and operational insight

At its core, it’s about creating win-win scenarios: short-term value with long-term impact.

Building from the inside out

One thing Paul emphasizes strongly is how deeply personal the work feels.

“Every one of us has blood, sweat, and tears in this company.”

Clients aren’t just choosing a fintech solution. They’re partnering with a team that is actively building, improving, and investing themselves into the product every day.

That sense of ownership is what defines Alunafi’s culture, and why people like Paul thrive in it.

Final thoughts: growth starts at ground zero

Paul’s journey at Alunafi reflects a broader truth about startups: real growth starts with people willing to learn, adapt, and build together.

From onboarding clients to shaping future growth strategies, Paul’s story is one of curiosity, contribution, and commitment.

And this is only the beginning.

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Want to learn more about the people building Alunafi? More team stories are coming soon.