Podcast
The Fintech Blueprint
Hosted by Lex Sokolin · EN
Finance is being pulled apart by the forces of frontier technology. From AI, to blockchain and DeFi, mixed reality, chatbots, neobanks, and roboadvisors — the industry will never be the same. Here is the blueprint for navigating the shift.
27episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Brigit's journey to $100MM+ revenue and $1B in fees saved, with CEO Zuben Mathews
Sep 16, 202400:46:15Tap to summarizeLex chats with Zuben Mathews - CEO and Co-founder of Brigit. Brigit is a leading consumer financial app in the United States that offers a suite of holistic financial products including budgeting, financial insights, access to paychecks, and credit building. Zuben kicks off the conversation discussing his journey from investment banking at Deutsche Bank to founding one of the largest financial health apps in the U.S. Mathews reflects on his early experiences in banking, where he launched a small entrepreneurial team within Deutsche to leverage the bank’s data and client relationships to drive revenue. This experience helped shape his approach to solving real financial pain points, which became the foundation of Brigit. Zuben explains Brigit’s focus on addressing the U.S. financial crisis of living paycheck-to-paycheck, a problem he personally experienced as an immigrant student. Brigit’s initial product leverages cashflow data to provide instant cash advances, helping users avoid overdrafts and predatory loans. Mathews emphasizes that Brigit’s success stems from a commitment to solving users’ deepest financial issues and using real-time cashflow data, not traditional FICO scores, to provide financial solutions. The conversation delves into Brigit’s subscription-based business model, which offers transparency and value to users, helping them save money while improving financial stability. Zuben discusses how the app has grown to serve over a million users, generating more than $100 million in revenue with a small team of 90. He also addresses challenges in fintech, such as data access in the U.S. compared to Europe’s open banking regulations, and calls for more balanced regulation that encourages innovation while protecting consumers. The discussion concludes with Zuben advocating for greater access to bank data and better infrastructure for fintechs, highlighting the importance of innovation in improving customer outcomes in the financial space. MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION Brigit's Website: https://bit.ly/4d8tqohZuben's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3XvsEvT Topics: Fintech, neobank, overdraft, cash advance, subscription, financial wellbeing, PSD2, regulation Tags: Brigit, Deutsche Bank, Plaid, Chime, Revolut, Monzo, Yodlee, Synapse, Coastal Community Bank ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT 🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2 🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV 👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin TIMESTAMPS 1’36: From Deutsche Bank to Brigit: Zuben Mathews' Journey in Finance and Entrepreneurship 5’03: Bridging Silos at Deutsche Bank: Detailing Strategic Vendor Partnerships and Fintech Insights 9’06: From Startup Struggles to Success: Building Brigit and Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship 15’41: Solving America's Deepest Financial Pain Point: The Vision Behind Brigit's Differentiation in a Crowded Fintech Market 21’07: Leveraging Cashflow Data to Outperform Banks: How Brigit Built a Product to Tackle Overdraft Fees and Expand Financial Access 24’47: Beyond Overdraft Protection: How Brigit Uses Cashflow Data to Reduce Financial Stress and Drive User Engagement 29’01: Balancing Affordability and Financial Health: How Brigit's Subscription Model Empowers Users While Lowering Costs 33’25: Challenges of Data Access in US Fintech: Navigating Bank Transactional Data and the Push for Open APIs 40’36: Navigating US Banking Rails: The Role of Regulation, Innovation, and Customer-Centric Solutions in Fintech 45’24: The channels used to connect with Zuben & learn more about Brigit Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.
Transcribe →Building a 800,000 device DePIN blockchain, with Peaq Founder Till Wendler
Aug 26, 202400:35:39Tap to summarizeLex chats with Till Wendler, Founder of Peaq Network - a leading DePIN Layer 1 in the blockchain space. In this episode, Till discusses his journey into entrepreneurship and the blockchain space. He talks about his early involvement with Ethereum and building a business around e-commerce payments using cryptocurrencies. Till also explains the concept of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs) and their role in the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Economy of Things (EOT). He highlights the limitations of current IoT systems and the potential for value exchange between devices. Till discusses the success of Peaq in attracting over 800,000 devices onto the network and the challenges of building demand for data-driven projects. He emphasizes Peaq's role in catalyzing the sector by providing support on product optimization, go-to-market strategies, and financial assistance. MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION Peaq's Website: https://bit.ly/3XjsaKoTill's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4cGvSSJ Topics: Blockchain, web3, decentralized applications, dapps, economy of things, EOT, depin, iot, decentralized physical infrastructure networks Tags: Peaq, IOTA, Exonum, DMG MORI, Silencio, MapMetrics, Helium ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT 🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2 🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV 👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin TIMESTAMPS 1’09: From the Valley to Blockchain: Till’s Journey into Entrepreneurship and Crypto 4’59: Building Peaq: From Berlin's Blockchain Scene to IoT Innovation 8’26: Connecting Machines to Blockchain: The Use Case Discovery and Peaq's Evolution 13’31: From IoT to the Economy of Things: The Evolution of Connected Devices 17’53: Unlocking the Machine Economy: The Role of Web3 and DePINs in Decentralized Infrastructure 20’50: Scaling the Machine Economy: Successful Use Cases Built on Peaq's Decentralized Network 23’34: Driving Network Growth: How Peaq Reached 800,000 Connected Devices Through Strategic Go-to-Market and Product Market Fit 29’15: Streamlining DePIN Success: How Peaq Simplifies Tokenomics and Focuses on User Demand 32’56: Empowering Ecosystem Growth: Peaq's Role in Supporting Projects from Integration to Funding 34’45: The channels used to connect with Till & learn more about Peaq Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.
Transcribe →Pipe's Pivot from Revenue Exchange to Digital Lending, with CEO Luke Voiles
Jul 29, 202400:47:05Tap to summarizeLex chats with Luke Voiles, the CEO of Pipe - a modern capital platform built to connect business owners to fast, frictionless, dilution-free funding. Luke kicks off discussing his experience in the FinTech industry. He talks about his transition from being an investor to working in FinTech. Luke shares his background in distressed credit investing and how it led him to focus on lending money to other lenders. He then discusses his role at Intuit, where he helped build QuickBooks Capital and gained valuable experience in tech, leadership, and product development. Luke also talks about his time at Square and Square Banking, where he learned about being a true CEO and P&L owner. He then joined Pipe and discusses the stage at which the company was when he joined and the core concept of revenue-based financing. Luke explains the differences between revenue-based financing, invoice factoring, and other fixed income instruments. He also talks about the pivot that Pipe made and the focus on Pipe Capital as a service. Luke discusses the importance of platforms and embedded finance in reaching small businesses and explains how Pipe works with SaaS vertical software providers. He emphasizes the value of giving small businesses access to credit and criticizes other FinTechs that have made mistakes in scaling their businesses. Luke concludes by providing contact information for himself and Pipe. MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION Pipe's Website: https://bit.ly/3WGQrJNLuke's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4dpDh9P Topics: Fintech, revenue-based finance, embedded finance, unicorn, SaaS, entrepreneur, lending, capital Tags: Pipe, Square, Stripe, PayPal, Intuit, OnDeck, Alloy, Increase ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT 🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2 🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV 👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin TIMESTAMPS 1’07: From Distressed Credit to FinTech Leadership: Luke's Journey from Sixth Street Partners to Intuit and Beyond 7’17: Square Banking and the Evolution of Leadership: Navigating Single-Threaded and Functional Structures 14’53: Pipe's Transformation: Joining and Steering one of the Fastest Unicorns in History 18’46: Understanding Revenue-Based Financing: Defining Factoring, Merchant Cash Advances, and More 26’39: The Power of Storytelling: How Pipe's Vision and Innovation Led to Unicorn Status 28’39: Pivoting Pipe: Adapting Strategy and Overcoming Growth Challenges 37’25: The Future of Small Business Banking: Embedded Finance and SaaS Vertical Platforms 41’35: Navigating Regulatory Challenges: Pipe's Embedded Finance and Compliance Strategy 46’23: The channels used to connect with Luke & learn more about Pipe Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.
Transcribe →Embedding Insurance in digital lending, with Danielle Sesko of TruStage
Jul 12, 202400:39:58Tap to summarizeLex chats with Danielle Sesko about insurance and innovation in the fintech sector. They discuss the purpose of insurance and why it exists, the structure of insurance companies, the challenges of insurance innovation, and the integration of insurance into digital lending platforms. Sesko explains that insurance is necessary because most people cannot sustain a total loss of their assets, such as their homes or businesses. She also discusses the regulatory structure of insurance in the US, which is regulated on a state-by-state basis. Sesko describes the product she is working on at TruStage, which provides insurance coverage for loans in the digital lending space. The insurance is designed to protect both the borrower and the lender in case of unexpected events, such as job loss or disability. Sesko explains the technology integrations between insurance and digital lending platforms and the economics of the product. She also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the insurtech industry. MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION TruStage's Website: https://bit.ly/3WibyC1Danielle's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3XUZNmp Topics: InsurTech, Insurance, Digital Lending, Lending, embedded finance, embedded insurance, API, fintech Tags: TruStage, Payment Guard, Lending Club, FDIC ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT 🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2 🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV 👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin TIMESTAMPS 1’27: From Financial Consulting to Insurance Innovation: Danielle Sesko’s Journey in Financial Services 4’58: The Role and Necessity of Insurance: Insights on Financial Resiliency and Industry Structure 9’52: Innovation in Insurance: Creating Relevant Products and Navigating Regulations 13’39: Navigating US Insurance Regulations: Engaging State Regulators and Structuring Underwriting for New Products 17’59: Adapting to FinTech: How Established Underwriters Leverage Experience for Digital Lending Innovation 20’48: Assessing the Rise of Digital Lending: Timing, Consumer Preferences, and Regulatory Challenges in FinTech and InsurTech 27’39: Bridging the Gap in Digital Lending: Ideal Customers for PaymentGuard and Their Unique Needs 31’21: Defining Digital Lending Coverage: Target Workflows and Payment Flows for Embedded Insurance Solutions 34’36: Understanding PaymentGuard's Economics: Coverage Duration, Cost Structure, and Value for Digital Lenders 37’42: Integrating InsurTech and Digital Lending: The Technology and Processes Behind Embedding Insurance Solutions 40’11: The channels used to connect with Danielle & learn more about TruStage Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.
Transcribe →How Provenance blockchain tokenised $10B+ of Real World Assets, with Provenance Foundation CEO, Anthony Moro
Jul 1, 202400:47:15Tap to summarizeLex chats with Anthony Moro, CEO of Provenance Foundation. Provenance is a blockchain platform for real-world assets and has a focus on financial services. Moro discusses his background in the traditional financial industry, particularly in security servicing, and explains how Provenance is positioning itself as a good control location for ownership of securities. He highlights the inefficiencies and high costs associated with intermediated securities transactions and explains how Provenance aims to provide a more efficient and secure alternative. Moro also discusses the technology stack of Provenance, which is built on the Cosmos network, and explains the importance of purpose-built blockchain networks for financial services. He also touches on the topics of noncustodial networks, ledgering, and the importance of network uptime in financial services. Moro concludes by discussing the future vision for Provenance, including the tokenization of trillions of dollars of financial assets and the role of Provenance in enabling asset issuers and service providers to transact efficiently on the platform. MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION Provenance's Website: https://bit.ly/3xLpXx6Anthony's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3VIl3Jn Companies: Provenance, Sofi, Provenance Blockchain Labs, ProvLabs, Ethereum, Cosmos, Merrill Lynch, Figure Technologies, Figure MarketsTopics: Blockchain, tokenisation, capital markets, DeFi, TradFi, NFT, Financial Services, Governance, crypto ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT 🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2 🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV 👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin TIMESTAMPS 1’28: From Traditional Finance to DeFi: Insights on Provenance and Financial Services 4’48: The Complexities of ADRs: Insights on Traditional and Decentralized Financial Systems 8’54: Provenance and Blockchain Innovation: From SoFi Founders to Cosmos Network Integration 13’17: Transforming Capital Markets: The Evolution of Figure's HELOC Business and Blockchain Integration 17’28: Revolutionizing Mortgages with Blockchain: The Impact of NFT Mortgages and Disinflationary Technology 21’20: Exploring Alternative Investments: The Value of Pork Bellies and the Unexpected Tale of Uranium 26’39: Bridging Provenance and Ethereum: Open Source Development and Financial Services Security 30’01: Revolutionizing Governance in Financial Services: Provenance's Approach and Future Directions 32’56: Navigating Centralized Exchanges: Bringing an Institutional Network to Retail Markets 39’20: Regulatory Shifts in Crypto and FinTech: Navigating the Evolving Landscape Ahead of US Elections 42’49: Embracing the Future of Tokenization: Provenance's Vision for Retail Inclusion and Financial Services 46’31: The channels used to connect with Anthony & learn more about Provenance Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.
Transcribe →What makes a successful AI investor, with Fusion Fund Founder Lu Zhang
Jun 14, 202400:49:08Tap to summarizeLex chats with Lu Zhang, the founder and managing partner at Fusion Fund, a venture fund that invests in deep technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare. They discuss Lu's experience as an entrepreneur and the challenges she faced in building her own company. Lu also shares her investment thesis on AI, highlighting the opportunities in AI application and infrastructure. She believes that while large tech companies dominate the consumer AI market, there are still opportunities for startups in enterprise AI, particularly in industries with high-quality data and a need for AI solutions. Lu also discusses the potential of edge computing and the importance of addressing energy consumption and data privacy in AI infrastructure. She emphasizes the coexistence of large and small AI models and the need for practical, cost-efficient solutions. Finally, Lu discusses the revenue pools for AI companies and the growing awareness and adoption of AI in enterprises. She encourages startups to focus on reducing energy consumption in AI and addressing sustainability challenges. MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION Fusion Fund's Website: https://bit.ly/4egJMgpLu's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3KIWozf Topics: Venture Capital, VC, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Startup, Infrastructure, LLM, Decentralized AI, HealthcareCompanies: Fusion Fund, OpenAI, IBM, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT 🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2 🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV 👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin TIMESTAMPS 1’30: From Entrepreneur to VC: Insights from Building and Exiting a Successful Healthcare Startup 5’50: Navigating Startup Challenges: Overcoming Obstacles and Embracing Growth in My Entrepreneurial Journey 9’56: From Founder to Investor: Experiencing the Transition and Learning to Say No 15’16: Fusion Fund’s AI Investment Thesis: Identifying Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence 23’03: Comprehending Enterprise AI: Ensuring Startups Thrive Without Being Captured by Big Corporates 26’48: The Challenges and Opportunities in Selling Large AI Models to Enterprises: Fine-tuning The Sales Process and Building Strategic Partnerships 30’31: Exploring AI Infrastructure Investments: Paths to Acquisition and IPO in a Competitive Landscape 36’24: AI Infrastructure Gaps: Identifying Opportunities and Challenges in the Evolving Value Chain 40’53: The Future of Decentralized AI: Commercial Opportunities and Economic Dynamics in a World of Personal AI Models 47’07: Key Opportunities in AI: Unmet Needs and Ideas for Future Startups 48’08: The channels used to connect with Lu & learn more about Fusion Fund Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.
Transcribe →The rise, fall, and turnaround of Better Mortgage, with CEO Vishal Garg
May 31, 202400:46:12Tap to summarizeLex chats with Vishal Garg, the CEO of Better Mortgage. Better is an all-in-one digital homeownership company. From finding a real estate agent and getting a mortgage, to shopping for homeowners insurance and title services, Better and its affiliates take customers through the entire homebuying process online. Garg shares the story of how he founded Better Mortgage after experiencing the difficulties of getting a mortgage online. He explains how he saw an opportunity to reimagine the mortgage industry and create a more efficient and consumer-friendly process. Garg discusses the challenges of scaling the company, going public through a SPAC, and navigating the changing market conditions. He also shares his optimism for the future of Better Mortgage, highlighting the company's focus on efficiency, automation, and sustainable growth. MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION Better's Website: https://bit.ly/456T3UbVishal's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4e52szk Topics: fintech, mortgage, digital lending, digital mortgage, SPAC, interest ratesCompanies: Better.com, Better mortgage, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Goldman Sachs, SoftBank ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT 🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2 🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV 👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin TIMESTAMPS 1’33: Revolutionizing Mortgages: Vishal's Journey from Frustration to Fintech Innovation 6’41: Cracking the Mortgage Code: Leveraging Fintech Experience to Disrupt a Stagnant Industry 11’11: Overcoming Startup Challenges: Innovating in the Mortgage Industry and Securing Early-Stage Financing 15’25: Recruiting Top Talent: How to Attract High-Caliber Professionals to Revolutionize the Mortgage Industry 20’32: Scaling to Success: The Rapid Growth, Economics and Strategic Milestones of Better Mortgage 24’48: Balancing Growth and Profitability: Navigating Blitz Scaling and Cultural Shifts at Better Mortgage 28’17: Understanding the SPAC Process: The Market Conditions, Expectations, and Challenges of Going Public 34’20: Facing Macro Headwinds: The Declining Efficiency and Financial Challenges in a Changing Market 36’50: Balancing External Stressors and Internal Efficiency: Navigating Market Changes and Organizational Challenges 39’04: From Private to Public: Better Mortgage's Evolution, Current State, and Optimistic Future 43’11: Overcoming Market Shifts: Vishal Garg on Better Mortgage's Resilience and Path to Profitability 45’30: The channels used to connect with Vishal & learn more about Better Mortgages Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.
Transcribe →