Equity We've entered an era of Fintech Maximalism according to Mark Goldberg
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Apr 16, 2025 In this episode, Mark Goldberg, founder of the early-stage venture firm Chemistry, shares insights from his career at Index Ventures where he backed fintech giants like Plaid. He discusses the shift in fintech towards more tech-driven models and the challenges of consumer vulnerability. Goldberg delves into AI's dual role in enhancing operations and tackling fraud, while also highlighting the slow pace of fintech IPOs. With a fresh perspective on investment strategies compared to chess and surfing, he emphasizes the need for agility in this evolving landscape.
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Mark's Boutique Fund Origin
- Mark Goldberg started Chemistry with friends to create a small, boutique venture fund.
- They leverage decades of combined experience to focus deeply on early-stage founders.
Venture's Institutionalization Challenge
- Venture capital institutionalization favors large funds with broad portfolios.
- Chemistry counters this trend by focusing on a smaller, alignment-driven approach with founders.
Fintech Rebranding to Tech-Fin
- Fintech is evolving into tech-fin, where AI companies serve financial markets.
- Startups increasingly define themselves by AI tech targeting finance, not traditional fintech verticals.