Barney Hussey-Yeo

Barney Hussey-Yeo, founder and CEO of Cleo, a UK fintech building AI-powered finance tools. He discusses building with large language models and how they sped Cleo's growth. He talks timelines for AI impact, domain-specific personal agents, developer productivity gains, and the challenges of scaling tech companies in the UK.

Barney Hussey-Yeo, founder of Cleo, an AI-driven fintech company, shares his remarkable journey from a state school in Sheffield to leading a company with aspirations of reaching $1 billion ARR. He reflects on his early days playing poker and how setbacks shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. The discussion emphasizes the contrasting entrepreneurial landscapes in the UK and US, Cleo's unique approach to financial services, and the importance of nurturing homegrown talent. Barney also offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the startup world.

Barney Hussey-Yeo, Founder and CEO of Cleo, discusses his journey from a data scientist to leading a consumer fintech company. He explores the evolution of AI assistants and the unique ways Cleo engages users with humor instead of traditional dashboards. Barney highlights the importance of balancing rapid iteration with structure and critiques why VCs are underinvesting in consumer AI. He envisions a future where AI agents autonomously manage personal data, addressing societal issues like wage stagnation and financial accessibility.