Cambrian Fintech with Rex Salisbury

In this episode I sit down with Wade Foster, the founder and CEO of Zapier. We explore Zapier’s unique path, from building its first integrations on nights and weekends in Missouri to scaling with minimal funding through Y Combinator. Wade shares how “don’t hire till it hurts” became a guiding mantra, why Zapier embraced remote work early on, and how the rise of AI is unlocking new automation possibilities through Zapier Agents. Whether you’re curious about seedstrapping, enterprise workflows, or the frontier of AI benchmarks, this conversation delivers practical insights for building a lean, innovative company.00:00:00 - “Don’t Hire Till It Hurts” Mantra00:01:24 - The First Zap & Early Users00:03:42 - Joining YC & Minimal Funding00:05:09 - Profitability & Lean Hiring00:06:57 - SEO for Marketplace Growth00:08:10 - AI Agents & Unstructured Data00:10:28 - Enterprise Playbook & GTM00:13:14 - ARC Prize & Future of AGI00:17:29 - Remote Culture at Zapier00:20:29 - Seedstrapping Advice in AI00:25:09 - Reimagining Processes w/ AI00:28:54 - Final Insights & Future

In this episode, I sit down with Seema, a partner on the Andreessen Horowitz Fintech Team, to explore how AI is transforming accounting. We uncover why 75% of accountants may retire over the next decade and how AI could relieve shortages by streamlining data ingestion, research, reporting, and client advising. Seema also shares insights from her comprehensive market map on AI in accounting, along with strategies for founders looking to sell either directly to firms or through embedded solutions. Whether you’re curious about the future of audit, tax, or month-end close, this conversation reveals how AI can reshape one of the largest professional fields.00:00:00 - Why Accounting Faces a Crisis00:02:06 - Seema's AI & Accounting Market Map00:04:23 - Four Big Jobs for AI in Firms00:06:57 - Data Ingestion & Month-End Close00:09:08 - Research & AI-Driven Judgments00:12:08 - Firms’ Excitement, Key Obstacles00:15:08 - Challenges with Trust & Accuracy00:17:27 - Selling AI: Firms vs. Companies00:20:29 - Automation & Billable Hours Shift00:23:38 - Embedded Accounting & Verticalization00:26:52 - Niche Communities & Next Steps00:29:24 - Future Outlook & Conclusion

In this episode, I sit down with Leif, Co-founder and Co-CEO at Public, an investing platform built for people who take investing seriously. We discuss how Public raised $400 million, doubled its user base in just 48 hours, and evolved beyond commission-free trading to offer options, treasuries, bonds, and more. Leif shares their no-payment-for-order-flow approach, emphasizing transparency and trust, and reveals how product velocity and AI integrations are helping them reach the mass-affluent market.We also dive into the importance of keeping teams lean, focusing on discipline over hype, and staying true to the company’s mission despite market cycles. From avoiding organizational meltdowns to crafting a long-term product strategy, this conversation sheds light on Public’s journey toward becoming a comprehensive fintech powerhouse.00:00:00 - $400M Raise & Doubling Users00:01:31 - Building for Serious Investors00:04:07 - Payment for Order Flow Explained00:06:49 - Public’s No-PFOF Decision00:09:01 - GameStop’s Impact & Funding Surge00:11:54 - Upgrading Product & Brand Tone00:14:44 - Aiming at Mass-Affluent Clients00:19:06 - Podcast & Media Strategy00:22:15 - AI & Alpha: The New Frontier00:25:20 - Complexities of Fintech Builds00:29:06 - The 2024 Big Product Launch00:34:21 - Org Meltdown & Lessons Learned00:39:16 - Surviving the Fintech Winter00:42:46 - Balancing Discipline & Growth

In this episode I sit down with Peter Walker, head of insights at Carta, to discuss the sweeping changes in how founders are building and funding startups in 2024. Peter shares fresh data on AI’s outsized influence across every stage, why more founders are bootstrapping, and the real story behind down rounds and bridge rounds. We also dive into founder ownership trends, vesting schedules, and why hiring has slowed even as dry powder sits on the sidelines. If you’re curious about where venture is headed, and how to navigate the current market, this deep dive offers plenty of practical takeaways.00:00:00 - Why 2024 Feels Different00:02:00 - Comparing 2024 to 2021 Boom00:03:58 - Why IPOs and AI Dominate Talk00:06:17 - Stage-by-Stage Funding Trends00:09:09 - Bridge Rounds & Down Rounds Return00:11:24 - Founder Ownership & Vesting00:14:17 - Solo Founders & AI Bootstrapping00:19:35 - Equity for Advisors & Early Hires00:22:50 - Safes, Valuation Caps & Dilution00:30:37 - Major Slowdown in Startup Hiring00:38:10 - Geographic Hubs: SF, NYC & Miami00:43:25 - Venture Funds Struggle With Returns00:59:22 - 2025 Outlook: IPOs & Efficiency01:02:03 - Closing Thoughts___Connect with Rex on social media:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexsalisbury/Twitter: https://twitter.com/rexsalisburyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rex.salisburyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rexsalisbury/

In this episode Rex chats with Sheel Mohnot from Better Tomorrow Ventures. Sheel shares his journey of living on a dollar a day in India, founding and selling multiple companies (including one sparked by a chance meeting on a train), and even hosting nine weddings—one of them sponsored by Taco Bell in the metaverse. They dive into Sheel’s evolving personal finance stack, from traditional banks to Robinhood’s gold credit card, and discuss why consumer fintech is suddenly exciting again. Sheel also unpacks how AI-driven solutions are transforming bookkeeping, mortgage operations, and more. From vertical SaaS insights to San Francisco’s culture of radical experimentation, this conversation is a whirlwind tour of where fintech is headed.00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:00 - BTV Office & Life Above Work00:02:46 - Microfinance & Typhoid Stories00:04:01 - Half-Billion Domain Startup00:05:13 - Nine Weddings & Taco Bell00:06:28 - Building a Modern Finance Stack00:08:14 - Credit Cards & Margin Lending00:10:24 - Bank Inefficiencies & Chime’s IPO00:11:33 - Consumer Fintech: Lessons & LTV00:15:50 - B2B Focus & Early-Stage Strategy00:19:15 - AI in Services: Accounting & Mortgage00:23:07 - Vertical SaaS & Embedded Finance00:31:10 - AI’s Impact on Low-Margin Services00:33:34 - Doing More with Less & Moats00:40:01 - Regulatory Shifts & SF’s Future

In this episode, we dive into fintech and commerce enablement with Jay Ganatra, one of the founders of Infinity Ventures. Learn how this former PayPal Ventures team brings expertise in payments, lending, risk, and financial infrastructure to back the next generation of startups. We explore the backstory of PayPal Ventures, the challenges and opportunities in fintech investments, and why corporate venture arms play a unique role. Hear insights on the current fintech M&A landscape and how strategic partnerships shape success for founders. Jay also shares his journey in founding Infinity Ventures and their approach to identifying and supporting high-potential fintech companies.If you're a founder or investor looking to better understand the fintech ecosystem, this conversation is packed with valuable advice! I / jayganatra  00:00:00 – Introduction to Infinity Ventures and PayPal’s Legacy00:01:30 – Infinity Ventures Investment Focus00:03:00 – PayPal Ventures: Impact and Acquisitions00:05:00 – PayPal's Global Reach and Market Expansion00:07:00 – Challenges and Lessons from Corporate Ventures00:08:30 – Success Stories: Plaid and TRM Labs00:11:00 – Infinity Ventures Founding Journey00:12:30 – Fundraising and Building Infinity Ventures00:15:00 – Key Investments: Vinyl and Transfer Agent Disruption00:18:00 – Navigating Regulation and Market Entry for Vinyl00:24:30 - Exploring Simple Closure: Shutting Down Businesses00:30:15 - Addressing Market Misconceptions

Hamel Kothari, co-founder and CTO of Brigit, a leading financial app, shares insights on their impressive growth to over $100M in revenue and one million subscribers. He discusses the challenges of creating a financial health app that alleviates short-term stress while building long-term wellness. Kothari highlights navigating the fintech landscape during the pandemic and the importance of operational readiness. He also contrasts the fintech scenes in New York and San Francisco, all while emphasizing a cautious approach to integrating AI in financial services.

In this episode, I sit down with Avlok Kohli, CEO of AngelList, at their San Francisco headquarters. Avlok shares how AngelList responded to the 2022 market crash, shifting from a heavy reliance on SPVs to diversifying their product offerings, including rolling funds and venture fund management tools. He discusses the strategic decisions that led to AngelList's current success, insights on launching new products in competitive markets, and the evolution of AngelList into a comprehensive financial platform. Avlok also reflects on his journey from founder to CEO, providing an insider's view on the future of venture capital and the startup ecosystem.

In this podcast, James Dyett from OpenAI talks about AI revolutionizing finance. Learn how Morgan Stanley and Klarna use AI in wealth management and customer service. Explore AI's impact on Oscar Health and Nubank. Discover the future of AI in enhancing operations and the challenges of AI adoption in the finance industry.

In this episode, I sit down with Renaud Laplanche, founder and CEO of Upgrade. Renaud talks about his move from Lending Club to starting Upgrade, focusing on innovation in consumer fintech. He shares insights on the unique features of the Upgrade Card, the strategic partnerships with credit unions, and the future of consumer finance. We dive into his strategies for building successful fintech companies and what sets Upgrade apart in the industry.