Fintech Chatter: Insights From Fintech Leaders

Dexter welcomes back Josh Foreman to discuss their global expansion and recent Series C capital raise.Josh first appeared on the show in 2020 and he shares the lessons he has learned from writing Indebted's first line of code to launching in 7 countries!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Indebted and Its Mission03:04 The Evolution of Technology in Debt Collection09:08 Disrupting Traditional Debt Collection Models15:00 The Future of Credit Infrastructure18:03 Lessons Learned and Strategic Insights30:42 Scaling a Global Business35:59 The Role of Intuition in Decision Making39:00 Raising Capital in a Challenging Environment45:41 The Future of Fintech and AI InnovationsFind out more about Indebted - https://www.indebted.co/careers/You can find previous episodes with Josh - 2020 - https://tieronepeople.com/2020/11/11/josh-foreman-indebted-fintech-australia-podcast/2022 - https://youtu.be/iA0j-yejKDQ?si=ibKW4oNXZUxHaJpgSend us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

Dexter Cousins interviews Antony Jenkins, the CEO and founder of 10X Banking, the core banking platform that makes banking ten times better.Antony stands out in Fintech as the global CEO of Barclays who decided to start a fintech. Tune in for a deep dive into the challenges of core banking, the outdated technology in the banking sector, and how 10X helps banks like Westpac and Chase innovate fast. We talk about fixing the banking technology silo problem, Antony's transition from a large bank to a startup, and his approach to creating a high-performance culture within 10x and how it differs to running a global bank.Antony also shares his thoughts on the future of fintech, opportunities in the Australian market (and their partnership with Constantinople) plus his advice for banking professionals considering a move to fintech.Find out more https://www.10xbanking.com/Send us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

Antony Jenkins, CEO and Founder of 10x Banking joins Dexter Cousins to talk about the Future of 10x and the Fintech Industry - Full interview available Monday 7th AprilSend us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, Dexter Cousins interviews Julian Fayad, CEO of LoanOptions.ai about the challenges and advantages of bootstrapping a fintech company from the ground up. LoanOptions.ai aims to revolutionise the loan application process. Julian shares insights into how they’re using AI to build a mobile first loan application process.Julian first appeared on the show in 2023. We chat about his progress and the lessons he has learned over the past two years. Julian also talks about the transition from a broking business to a technology-focused company, and the launch of Synapses, the API services hub for Fintech! We also discuss the launch of HAILO and LoanOptions.ai, expansion into New Zealand and future plans for market expansion into the US and UAE.Find out more: https://loanoptions.aiChapters00:00 The Bootstrap Journey of a Fintech Founder02:12 Innovating the Loan Application Process10:45 Transitioning from Broking to Technology18:04 Launching New Products and Partnerships25:49 Building an API Services Hub for Fintechs26:48 Navigating B2B Partnerships and SaaS Pricing Strategies32:05 Transitioning from Brokerage to Tech: Lessons Learned35:21 Building a Cohesive Team and Company Culture39:47 Innovative Talent Acquisition Strategies41:45 Valuable Lessons in Business Partnerships46:22 Expanding Horizons: New Markets and Future PlansSend us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, Dexter Cousins chats to Nathan Walsh and Michael Starkey, Co-Founders of Athena Home Loans.Making their long awaited return to the show, Nathan and Michael discuss their journey over the past four years, and the insane challenges they’ve had to navigate as interest rates rose rapidly and funding markets dried up. According to Wikipedia Athena was the patron goddess of heroic endeavor; she was believed to have aided the heroes Perseus, Heracles, Bellerophon, and Jason. She may have also aided Michael and Nathan over this last few years!We ask Nathan and Michael the tough questions like how do you compete with banks, balance innovation with regulatory requirements, navigating the rapid interest rate rises since 2022, and the importance of partnerships. Nathan and Michael also share their secrets to building a resilient team and maintaining a strong company culture as they aim for the next stage of growth and innovation in the home loan sector.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Athena Home Loans03:38 Founding Story and Vision05:48 Tech Fin vs Fin Tech: Athena's Position07:32 Navigating Regulation and Innovation11:48 Challenges of Distribution in a Fragmented Market13:34 Impact of Interest Rate Rises on Fintech19:45 Lessons from Big Banks23:23 Partnerships and Growth Opportunities29:29 Cultural Alignment in Partnerships33:47 The Journey of Co-Founders37:59 Hiring The Right People40:51 Navigating Growth and Change45:09 Reflections on Past Experiences48:40 Future Aspirations and GrowthSend us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, host Dexter Cousins speaks with Di Challenor and Macgregor Duncan, co-founders of Constantinople, about their journey in building the Operating System for banks. Constantinople is the most ambitious startup in Fintech, tackling the most complex problem in Fintech, rethinking how banks become fully digital.Tune in as Mac and Di discuss the challenges of winning banking clients, the importance of establishing trust, and the strategies behind their successful capital raising efforts. We revisit our first interview in 2023 and talk through the challenges and learnings of the past two years.  As they look to the future, they share their vision for Constantinople and the endless quest for excellence.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Constantinople04:09 The Evolution of Banking Technology07:17 Challenges in Client Acquisition10:10 Building Trust and Credibility12:53 Creating a New Category in Banking16:04 Navigating Capital Raising19:03 The Importance of Execution25:02 Scaling the Business34:08 The Importance of Documentation in Scaling36:49 Driving Excellence in Early Stage Companies42:45 Commitment to Excellence: Attracting the Right Talent49:07 Identifying and Filling Skill Gaps53:15 Future Vision: Building a Multi-Tenanted Banking PlatformFind out about careers: https://www.cxnpl.com/Send us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

In this episode of Fintech Chatter podcast, Dexter Cousins chats with Justin Greenstein, CEO of 1835i, about the evolution of corporate venture capital in Australia’s banks. Justin shares insights on the structure and strategy of 1835i, its investment thesis, and the importance of aligning with ANZ's overarching strategy. We get Justin's top tips for partnering with a CVC, his thoughts on the future of fintech in Australia, and what he sees as the Biggest untapped opportunity in Fintech. About 1835iAs ANZ Bank’s external innovation partner, 1835i invest in and partner with fintechs that are focused on homeowners, small and medium sized businesses, trade and capital flows, and transforming businesses through data, analytics and digital technologies.Notable Fintech investments include Airwallex, Cash Reward, Lendi, Valiant, Datamesh, Slyp and Citoplus.Chapters00:00 How To Raise Capital From a Big 4Bank - Justin Greenstein, CEO of 1835i04:24 The Evolution of 1835i: From ANZ to Independence09:05 Understanding Corporate Venture Capital vs. Traditional VC14:27 Horizon 2 and Horizon 3: Future Technologies and Startups19:22 Success Stories and Strategic Partnerships24:21 Navigating the VC Landscape and Founder Expectations29:06 The State of Fintech in Australia and Globally34:19 The Untapped Opportunities in Fintech39:00 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions for 1835iSend us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

Vincent Gramoli - RedBelly Network Dexter Cousins invites Vincent Grimoli, Founder and CTO of RedBelly Network to this week's Fintech Chatter Podcast. Vincent charts his journey in the blockchain environment from academia to entrepreneurship. He outlines the innovative approach RedBelly Network takes towards the tokenisation of real-world assets and the need for collaboration between Tradfi and Defi.Vincent shares insights on blockchain technology safety measures, the importance of compliance, and how he sees the future of fintech in Australia. About RedBelly NetworkRedbelly Network is a team of innovators, engineers, and visionaries committed to building a secure and inclusive blockchain ecosystem. RedBelly Network believes in the power of collaboration — within both their team and the global community, working towards reshaping the future of finance and technology.About Vincent GramoliVincent Gramoli is the Founder and CTO of Redbelly Network and the Head of the Concurrent Systems Research Group at the University of Sydney. Vincent has chaired the Cybersecurity Committee for the Computing Research and Education Association of Australasia (CORE) and the Blockchain Technical Committee for the Australian Computer Society.His accolades include the Digital National Facilities & Collections Award from CSIRO, the Best Paper Awards at ICDCS’21, IPDPS’22, ICDCS’22 and DSN’24 for his research on blockchains. He received the Education Leader of the Year Award from Blockchain Australia and the Future Fellowship from the Australian Research Council. Vincent has been affiliated with INRIA, Cornell, Data61 and EPF.Key TakeawaysRedBelly Network aims to provide a compliant blockchain solution for traditional finance.The company focuses on tokenising real-world assets to lower barriers for retail investors.Safety measures include linking accounts to real-world identities to ensure accountability.The collaborative approach to scalability is a key feature of RedBelly Network's technology.Commercialising innovation in Australia can be a lengthy process due to regulatory hurdles.Emphasising the importance of learning business skills for tech founders.Building stong networks is crucial for finding talent in niche markets.Investor interest in compliant asset tokenisation is growing.RedBelly Network aims to reduce transaction fees by maintaining a fixed fee structure.Sound Bites"We're entering a new era with tokenisation.""I had to learn the business side of things."Chapters00:00   Introduction to Vincent and Red Belly Network05:27   Navigating Regulation in Blockchain08:58   Tokenisation of Real-World Assets12:08   Safety Measures using Layered Technology19:33   Transitioning from Tech to Business24:36 Hiring the right Talent27:19 The Challenge of Funding30:51 Reducing Fees for Consumers34:30 The Pro-Crypto Movement39:23 Learning from TradFi for Future Innovations41:33 Future Plans for RedBelly NetworkSend us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

Dexter Cousins speaks with Simon Lee, founder of Teamified, about the transformative role of AI in startups and recruitment. We discuss tactics on how to build and rapidly scale a startup by harnessing an offshore workforce augmented by AI agents.We also chat about the impact of AI on jobs and hiring, venture capital and the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in Australia.And we also unravel why Fractional Executives may not be the right solution for Fintech startups.Simon shares his insights on building businesses with limited resources and the importance of health and passion in the startup journey. TakeawaysAI is significantly reducing hiring times and costs.Offshoring talent can provide access to specialised skills not available locally.The traditional path to entrepreneurship is changing with technology.AI is not just a tool; it's a game changer for startups.Health and well-being are crucial for sustained entrepreneurial success.The rise of AI will democratize business opportunities.Every SaaS application needs to be rethought in the age of AI.Chapters00:00 The Power of AI in Startups02:59 Teamified's Unique Approach to Recruitment06:03 Offshoring and Remote Work Dynamics09:04 The Impact of AI on Hiring and Recruitment11:23 The Evolution of the Job Market14:06 Democratizing Entrepreneurship with Technology17:12 AI Agents: The Future of Business?20:15 Optimizing Outsourcing Functions23:14 The Future of Recruitment and AI Tools29:52 The Future of Executive Roles in a Changing Landscape37:16 The Reality of Work: Expectations vs. Performance40:15 Prioritizing Health: A Shift in Perspective43:02 Passion vs. Burnout: The Balancing Act44:38 The Impact of AI on Business and Employment46:07 Democratisation of Business: Opportunities for All48:45 Starting a Business with Limited ResourcesFind out more - https://teamified.com.auSend us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

In this engaging discussion, Alex Badran, founder of Spriggy, shares his inspiring journey in creating a fintech app that educates children about money management. He dives into the critical role of real-world financial education and how Spriggy has grown to over a million users. The conversation also touches on navigating children's independence in a digital era, innovative growth strategies, and the importance of authenticity in leadership. Alex emphasizes that learning is key to success, both personally and for the organization.