From EY to Invygo: Sameh Sabri on Building Financial Operations for Growth
Sameh Sabri — Finance Director, Invygo
From EY to Invygo, Sameh Sabri has helped fast-growing startups bring order to chaos. In this interview, he breaks down how standardization, tech adoption, and strategic communication can turn financial operations into a company's growth engine — even across multiple geographies.
From EY to Invygo, Sameh Sabri has helped fast-growing startups bring order to chaos. In this interview, he breaks down how standardization, tech adoption, and strategic communication can turn financial operations into a company's growth engine — even across multiple geographies.
You've led finance teams through both early-stage chaos and structured growth across companies like Invygo and Innvotechs. What's one principle you rely on to bring order to fast-changing environments?
One core principle I rely on to bring order to fast-changing environments is prioritizing standardized processes with clear communication. At Invygo, for instance, I successfully migrated three disparate accounting software systems into a unified platform, which required establishing standardized protocols across teams and geographies. By implementing consistent financial controls and fostering open communication with stakeholders, I ensured alignment and transparency, enabling the team to navigate rapid growth and complexity. This principle of standardization paired with proactive communication creates a foundation for stability, allowing teams to adapt quickly while maintaining accuracy and compliance in dynamic settings.
From auditing to directing finance in tech and mobility startups — how has your view of "good financial management" evolved over the years?
Early in my career at firms like Ernst & Young and Baker-Tilly, my view of good financial management centered on technical precision—ensuring compliance, accurate reporting, and thorough audits. As I transitioned to directing finance at tech and mobility startups like Oyo and Invygo, my perspective evolved to emphasize strategic agility and stakeholder value. Good financial management now means balancing compliance with proactive strategies like optimizing cash flow, as seen when I developed working capital strategies at Invygo to boost liquidity and profitability. It's about translating financial data into actionable insights for growth, aligning with business goals, and fostering cross-departmental collaboration to drive efficiency in fast-paced environments.