Explore every episode of the podcast Interviews with Leaders in Fintech & Web3
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
How Open Banking Changed the Way You Pay? | Huw Davies, Ozone API
21 oct. 2026
00:49:01
How did the UK help shape open banking, and what comes next for the future of fintech?
In this episode of the Work in Fintech Podcast, Matt sits down with Hugh Davies, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Ozone API, to explore the evolution of open banking, his journey through some of the world's biggest financial institutions, and the opportunities emerging across fintech and AI.
After spending 17 years at Barclays, followed by roles at Mastercard and HSBC, Hugh helped shape the UK's open banking ecosystem before co-founding Ozone API, which helps banks and financial institutions build and deliver open banking and open finance APIs.
Hugh explains why banks were initially reluctant to share customer data, how open banking works behind the scenes, and why the UK risks falling behind markets that have moved faster. He also discusses how AI agents could reshape financial services, the challenges around consent and liability, and how young people can find opportunities in fintech in the age of AI.
In this episode, we cover:
Hugh's career journey from Barclays, Mastercard and HSBC to founding Ozone API
What open banking is and how it works
Why banks initially resisted open banking
How Ozone API helps banks implement open banking infrastructure
Why the UK is falling behind in open banking and what needs to change
The impact of AI agents on financial services, customer consent and liability
Emerging fintech opportunities in payments, open finance, crypto and AI
How young people can use AI tools, networking and internships to build their careers
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
Antony Jenkins on Leaving Barclays, AI & the Future of Banking
06 oct. 2026
00:45:20
"I thought, I'll just hand it off to my team to go and build. And I realised I didn't have a team."
In this episode of Work in Fintech, Mattew Cheung sits down with Antony Jenkins, Founder, Chair and CEO of 10x Banking and former Group CEO of Barclays, to explore why he walked away from running one of the world's biggest banks to start a fintech in his mid-50s.
10x Banking started with a frustration Antony lived for decades. Even as a senior executive, launching a simple new mortgage or credit card took 6 to 12 months, because the technology underneath banks was never built for change.
What began as a few pages written at his dining table in 2016 became 10x Banking, a cloud native core banking platform that runs the systems behind banks: recording customers, accounts and every transaction, at the resilience and security standards that people's money demands. Today, 10x works with major financial institutions, from new digital banks to established banks migrating off legacy technology.
In this episode, we discuss:
How an ordinary Manchester childhood sparked his love of business
Why winners make life 10x better, not 10% better
What comes next after branches halved
Why banks still take months to launch simple products
Going from Barclays CEO to a startup of one
Why early-stage people aren't always right for scaling
How AI agents will reshape lending, fraud and commercial banking
Why AI won't automate every job
How degree apprenticeships could reshape education
Why he hires for curiosity over AI skills
What he'd do differently starting out today
Subscribe to Work in Fintech for more conversations with the founders, operators and investors building the future of financial services.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
Stanford AI Expert’s Chilling Warning: 1.5 Billion Jobs Are in Danger | Alvin Wang Graylin
10 sept. 2026
00:44:53
Alvin Wang Graylin, Digital Fellow at Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) a, returns to Work in Fintech to explain why the AI jobs shock is years away, not decades. He puts it plainly: most thinking work could be replaceable within 3 to 10 years, and around 1.5 billion people worldwide will be affected in the near term.
With host Matthew Cheung, Alvin explains why new graduates are hit first, why 10 to 40% unemployment would push society into chaos, and what the GI Bill teaches us about getting through a transition this big. He also makes the case that scarcity, not human nature, made humans violent, and that AI could be what finally ends that scarcity.
Connect with Alvin Wang Graylin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agraylin
Matthew Cheung (Host & Founder Work in Fintech): https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcheung50/
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
How Nicolas Cary Built Blockchain.com From a Small Apartment in York
02 sept. 2026
00:31:00
Before Blockchain.com became one of the biggest names in crypto, Nicolas Cary was just a curious entrepreneur experimenting with technology.
He started making money as a kid mowing lawns and selling clams. Later, he built websites as a teenager, including one he traded for lifetime sandwiches.
Then came the 2008 financial crisis.
Watching the financial system collapse changed how Nicolas thought about money. When Bitcoin arrived, he saw something different: the possibility of building an entirely new financial system.
What started with a couple of guys in a small apartment in York eventually became Blockchain.com.
But the journey wasn't easy.
Crypto crashed. Markets collapsed. People lost interest. Through every cycle, Nicolas and his team kept building.
In this episode of the Working Fintech Podcast, Nicolas Cary, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Blockchain.com, shares his incredible journey, from his early entrepreneurial experiments to discovering Bitcoin, building through multiple crypto cycles, and what he believes young people should do to prepare for the future.
We discuss:
→ Why the 2008 financial crisis led him to Bitcoin → The early days of Blockchain.com in a small apartment in York → What it takes to survive multiple crypto boom and bust cycles → Why listening to customers is one of the most important founder skills → Why entrepreneurship is a long game → Why you don't need to live in Silicon Valley to build a global company → Why traditional career advice may no longer work → The skills young people need in an AI-powered future
"The jobs of tomorrow are being forged by your curiosities today."
She Founded 3 Banks and Took 7 Companies Public | Betsy Cohen, Co-Founder Cohen Circle
18 août 2026
00:30:39
Betsy Cohen has spent decades identifying opportunities before they become obvious.
From becoming a bank founder after a career in law, to building fintech infrastructure, sponsoring SPACs, and investing in the next generation of financial technology, Betsy has built her career around one principle: look for what isn’t being done.
In this episode of Work in Fintech, Betsy Cohen, Co-Founder and Chairman of Cohen Circle, shares how she spots opportunities, evaluates founders, and recognizes the “negative space” where new businesses can emerge.
She discusses:
• How she finds winning opportunities • What she looks for in founders • Why great teams with average ideas can still win • How founders need to adapt and pivot as the world changes • What she learned from watching companies navigate COVID • Why she invests at the beginning of cycles rather than the end • Her take on OpenAI, Anthropic & SpaceX draining capital markets • How young people should think of their careers • Why AI skills are becoming as fundamental as knowing the alphabet
Her philosophy is simple: keep your antenna up, look for the gaps, and make something out of nothing.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
The Hidden Payments Company Behind Amazon, Google & Uber
03 août 2026
00:49:29
Carlos Menendez was born in Puerto Rico, the oldest of five children of Cuban immigrants who left the island with nothing. The family settled in Miami in the 1970s, where money was tight and both parents worked. What his parents drilled into him was simple: the one thing nobody can take from you is what's in your head. Excellence wasn't a lofty ambition in that household, it was the condition for eating.
He spent his childhood summers in the local library, partly because it was the only place with air conditioning. He graduated from Harvard into the 1991 recession and sent out roughly 80 applications before landing his first job at Procter & Gamble.
Fourteen years at Citigroup and fourteen at Mastercard followed, running cards across 18 countries and launching contactless travel with Transport for London. Two years ago he left one of the most senior seats in global payments to become COO of dLocal, a Uruguayan fintech now past $1B in revenue.
In this episode Carlos unpacks:
• The future of global payments • How dLocal operates across emerging markets • AI, fraud detection & agentic commerce • Building trust in regulated industries • Career advice for young professionals • Leadership lessons from 30+ years in fintech • Why emerging markets are shaping the future of commerce
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
Why Fintechs Are Betting on Sports, AI in Fintech & B2B Marketing | Esfira Zakas CMO at payabl
22 juil. 2026
00:38:33
Today's guest is Esfira Zakas, CMO at payabl, one of Europe's fastest growing payment service providers, and the engine moving money for merchants across the continent, from online checkouts and POS machines to multi-currency accounts and card issuing, at a company that has scaled to over 300 people.
Esfira describes herself as marketing agnostic. Before fintech she worked across insurance, logistics through COVID, and a string of tech and startup companies, driven less by any one industry than by a childhood dream of being Don Draper from Mad Men. Advertising was in the family. Her father sold ad space for the local newspaper and her brother works in social media strategy, so she was watching Mad Men before it was cool and always knew she wanted to build brands.
What makes her story unusual is how she landed in fintech, and where she started. Originally from Riga and now based in Vilnius, she was payabl's first hire in Lithuania, with no office and no colleagues to learn from.
Her first workspace was a free co-working desk in a shopping mall sponsored by Ikea, so for months every internal and external call went out with a giant Ikea logo behind her while she ran back and forth between the mall and her car. She knew nothing about payments beyond how to tap her card. Four years later she runs a 20-person marketing team and is General Manager of payabl's Lithuanian business.
This conversation moves from that early career into how a challenger brand actually competes: what it takes to market payments against the giants, why fintechs are betting on sports, and how AI is reshaping marketing without replacing the people behind it.
In the full episode, we cover:
Why fintechs are pouring money into sports sponsorships
How a challenger payments brand stands out against giants like Stripe
Why she won't let her team go all-in on AI, and where it actually helps
How she learned fintech from scratch as the only person in the room
Scaling a marketing team from 5 to over 20 people across Europe
What she looks for when hiring, and why curiosity beats a polished CV
Her advice for young people trying to break into fintech
Connect with Esfira Zakas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esfira/
Matthew Cheung (Host & Founder Work in Fintech): https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcheung50/
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
The Invisible Infrastructure Behind Revolut, Tide & Coinbase | Emma Hagan, ClearBank UK
06 juil. 2026
00:39:26
Today's guest is Emma Hagan, CEO of ClearBank UK, the UK's first new clearing bank in over 250 years and the infrastructure quietly powering some of fintech's biggest names, from Revolut and Tide to Coinbase, across around 280 financial institutions.
Emma has spent her career at the intersection of banking and regulation, from a graduate programme at HBOS, an incumbent of roughly 75,000 people, to a decade at Silicon Valley Bank, where she joined a 1,400-person business to run the project that won its UK banking licence and went on to become Chief Risk Officer for EMEA.
She joined ClearBank in 2020 as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer and rose to lead its UK business.
What makes her story unusual is where it started. She studied law fully intending to become a lawyer, then changed course after a City internship and landed in banking almost by accident through a graduate scheme. A self-described natural introvert, one of her formative early jobs was selling bus tour tickets on the pavements of London, a role she found deeply uncomfortable but credits with teaching her to put herself out there.
This conversation moves from that early career into the machinery underneath ClearBank: what a clearing bank actually does, why it took 250 years for someone to build a new one, and where stablecoins, AI and embedded banking fit into the future of moving money.
In the full episode, we cover:
- What a clearing bank really do - Why it took over 250 years for a new clearing bank to launch - How ClearBank became the infrastructure behind big fintech - Why she moved from risk and compliance into the CEO seat - How stablecoins and tokenised deposits are becoming a real means of cross-border payment, not just an asset - How ClearBank thinks about AI - What embedded banking actually means - The new EU licence, the "dollar corridor," and where ClearBank goes over the next five years - What she looks for when hiring, and why comfort with pace beats a polished CV
Connect with Emma Hagan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-hagan-86ba9b10/
Matthew Cheung (Host & Founder Work in Fintech): https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcheung50/
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
Funding Circle CTO on Software Engineers, AI Native Org, £17bn Lending Engine
30 juin 2026
00:44:07
Today's guest is Greig McEwan, Chief Technology Officer at Funding Circle, the UK's leading SME finance platform, which has extended over £17bn in credit to more than 125,000 small businesses.
Greig has led technology at scale across very different worlds, from CTO of Paddy Power Betfair operating across 100 countries, to advising WorldRemit on payment strategy, and now building the engine that decides who gets lent to, and how fast.
What makes his story unusual is where it started. He took a non-technical degree in Glasgow, covering politics, economics, a bit of psychology and sociology, and got into tech as a trainee programmer with no real experience, just an aptitude for learning.
This conversation moves from that early career into the machinery underneath Funding Circle: how a lending decision actually gets made in seconds, what it really means to become an AI-native organisation, and why he believes the role of an engineer is being redefined in real time.
In the full episode, we cover:
What happens in the 9 seconds between "apply" and "approved," powered by a 9th-generation decision engine
How 15 years of lending data gives Funding Circle a 3x risk edge over bureau-only scoring
Why a customer interaction every 38 seconds keeps feeding the model
Why he hires product engineers, not software engineers, now that code is being commoditised
The difference between AI-native and AI-first, and why Funding Circle chose one
Why he is "not at all sceptical" about AI, against the industry grain
How one engineer did three years of work in three days with Claude Code
How Funding Circle keeps bias out of lending decisions, with humans still in the loop
Why cybersecurity went from strategic to board-level imperative His advice for anyone starting out: just start, and ignore the limits you assume
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
He left a top banking job to build his own bank | Mark Mullen, Co-founder Atom Bank
15 juin 2026
00:51:40
Today's guest is Mark Mullen, co-founder and CEO of Atom Bank, the UK's first app-based bank and the first digital challenger to win a full UK banking licence.
Mark is a self-described accidental banker who read history at university, spent 24 years inside HSBC Group, and ran First Direct, one of the most innovative banks of its era.
Then, in his mid-40s, he walked away from a comfortable seat at the top of the industry to build a bank from scratch in the Northeast of England, not London.
He has watched telephone banking, internet banking and mobile banking come and go, and now sits inside the AI wave trying to work out what it actually changes and what it does not.
This conversation goes past the technology and into the things that endure: trust, people, and why the UK banking sector is still far less disrupted than everyone assumes.
In the full episode, we cover:
- Why banking was "made to be digitalised", and who wins because of it - How Atom uses Gemini, Claude, and other AI tools in their workflow - Why AI could cut a third of operating costs in three to five years - Why the same banks still dominate UK mortgages a decade on - Why Atom runs a four-day week, and why Mark keeps defending it - The one trait Mark values most when hiring young people - His advice for anyone starting out in the AI era
A masterclass in building for the long term, from someone who has done it without the hype. Worth your time whether you are in fintech or not.
Connect with Mark Mullen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mullen-5330458a
Matthew Cheung (Host & Founder Work in Fintech): https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcheung50/
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
He backed PayPal and built Tether but will not invest in AI | William Quigley
28 mai 2026
01:02:38
Today's guest is William Quigley, one of the few venture investors who has operated at the centre of multiple technological inflection points. William was one of the first institutional investors in PayPal, co-founded Tether, the world's first and largest fiat-backed stablecoin, and founded WAX, one of the most active NFT blockchains globally.
He saw the consumer internet emerge, watched payments transform, helped shape crypto infrastructure, and now sits at the edge of the AI wave. This is our third conversation with William, and a lot has changed since we last spoke 18 months ago. This time we go beyond the cycles and into the structural future: who owns the rails, how capital actually flows, and where the durable infrastructure is forming beneath the hype.
In the full episode, we cover:
- Why AI is the opposite of the early internet and early crypto, and why that should worry you - Why the economics of today's AI companies are inverted, and how long they can really last - Why he backed PayPal and built Tether but will not invest a dollar in AI - How VCs boycotting semiconductors for 25 years accidentally created NVIDIA - Why OpenAI and Anthropic may go public and still struggle as public companies - The trillion-dollar currency conversion tax that tokenised money could erase - Why NFTs are not dead, just rebranded, and where the real use cases are growing - The one trait William looks for in every founder and CEO, and why he thinks you are born with it - How young people should position themselves while it is still early
If you are a fintech founder, an investor trying to read the AI cycle, or anyone working out where the durable opportunities are forming beneath the hype, this one is worth your time.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
How Crypto Will Replace the Banking System in the Next 10 Years | WIF Podcast
14 mai 2026
00:44:23
Today's guest is Xen Baynham-Herd, Director of Growth at Base and Global Builder Ecosystem lead at Coinbase, working at the centre of where crypto, AI agents, and the future of finance collide.
Before Coinbase, Xen spent eight years as a fixed income trader at UBS, where he championed an internal stablecoin project that eventually spun out into Finality, backed by UBS, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, and Santander. He then made the leap into crypto, rising to COO at blockchain.com, before stepping off the corporate ladder to work with Balaji Srinivasan on the Network State. He went on to found his own startup, Roam XYZ, which was later acquired by Coinbase.
In the full episode, we cover:
- Why the UK's financial system is broken and how blockchain actually fixes it - How crypto networks like Base are becoming the closest thing we have to network states today - Why every major bank — JPMorgan, BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, UBS — is now quietly moving on-chain - What x402 is and why AI agents are already paying each other on-chain - Why agentic activity will be the primary use of crypto networks within a few years - The highest-leverage opportunities for builders in the next 3 years - The mindset and traits Xen looks for when hiring builders and backing founders
If you're a fintech founder, a builder thinking about where to place your bets next, or anyone trying to understand how crypto and AI agents are about to reshape the financial system, this one is essential listening.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
GPT-5.5, Codex & AGI: Inside AI Adoption at the World's Biggest Banks | WIF Podcast
29 avr. 2026
00:44:08
Today's guest is Matt Weaver, Head of Solutions Engineering for EMEA at OpenAI, working directly with some of the biggest names in financial services including Revolut, Alicabank, and BBVA.
Before OpenAI, Matt spent four years at a pre-ChatGPT AI company helping banks extract data from documents using traditional machine learning.
When ChatGPT burst onto the scene and disrupted everything he was working on, he knew there was only one place he needed to be, and he was fortunate enough to get the call from OpenAI, where he's spent the last two years building out the Solutions Engineering team across EMEA from the ground up.
In the full episode, we cover:
How AI has moved from pilots to production inside major financial institutions
What GPT-5.5 can do that the models couldn't six months ago
The highest ROI use cases in financial services right now
How OpenAI helps banks navigate regulation, compliance, and data residency
What AI agents actually are, and how long they can now run without human input
Why entry-level employees are outperforming tenured colleagues with AI tools
How to go use ChatGPT to it best of power
If you're in fintech, working inside a financial institution, or trying to understand how AI is actually being deployed at scale, this one is essential listening.
Connect with Matt Weaver:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmattweaver/
Matthew Cheung (Host & Founder Work in Fintech):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcheung50/
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
How Jeeves Scaled Fintech to 25 Countries | CEO Dileep Thazhmon Interview
25 avr. 2026
00:40:01
Today's guest is Dileep Thazhmon, Founder & CEO of Jeeves, one of the fastest-scaling fintechs to come out of Y Combinator (YC S20)
Before Jeeves, Dileep built PowerInbox (later Jeeng) to $40M in revenue and a ~$100M exit. While running PowerInbox, Dileep ran headfirst into the chaos of cross-border payments, multiple cards, multiple bank accounts, different payment rails in every country, making his CFO's life a daily reconciliation nightmare.
After his exit, he set out to solve that exact problem and founded Jeeves. Today it's valued at over $2B, operates in 25 countries, and powers global spend for thousands of companies.
In the full episode, we cover:
- His early years and the unlikely path that led him into fintech - How the idea for Jeeves came directly out of his own pain as a founder - Why B2B fintech is a completely different game from B2C - His experience going through Y Combinator - What it's like having Ben Horowitz and a16z as investor - The fintech opportunities he's most excited about right now - His hiring philosophy - The one piece of advice he'd give young graduates
If you're in fintech, building a company, or curious how global fintech actually gets built, this one's worth your time.
Inside Revolut’s $670M Plan to Take Over the Indian Payment Market
07 avr. 2026
00:48:23
Today's guest is Paroma Chatterjee, CEO of Revolut India, leading one of the world's most valuable fintechs into one of the world's most complex markets.
Paroma has built her career at the intersection of ambition and execution, and there's no better proof of that than what Revolut India has become: a 3,600-person operation in a country where Revolut was virtually unknown just a few years ago.
In this episode, we dive into:
- Paroma's early career and what shaped her leadership style - Revolut's big ambitions in India, and what the product actually looks like on the ground - Why it took so long to launch in India, and what finally changed - The real moats that make Revolut different - How the Indian fintech industry has evolved, and where it's headed - What the culture inside Revolut is actually like - Her hiring philosophy and what she looks for in people - Opportunities in the age of AI for young professionals
If you're working in fintech, thinking about joining a high-growth global company, or just want to understand what it takes to scale a business in India, this one is worth your time.
Follow Paroma Chatterjee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paroma-chatterjee-503193/
Matthew Cheung (Host & Founder Work in Fintech): https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcheung50
How Richard Davies Built Allica Bank into the UK's Fastest Growing Fintech
23 mars 2026
00:36:34
Today's guest is Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, the fastest growing company in the UK from 2020 to 2024, built specifically to serve the small and medium sized businesses that traditional banks consistently overlook.
Richard has spent his career across some of the most influential names in banking and fintech — from Barclays and HSBC to being employee number one at Oak North, and Group COO at Revolut when it scaled from 5 to 15 million customers.
In this episode, we get into:
- What makes Allica Bank special and why he left Revolut to build it - The real reasons behind Allica Bank’s rapid growth - How Allica Bank serves one-third of the economy ignored by big banks - The future of traditional banks — branches, consolidation, and what comes next - The biggest trends and opportunities in fintech over the next 5 to 10 years - How leading digital banks are using AI right now - Richard’s hiring philosophy and what he looks for in people - The future of Allica Bank
If you're building in fintech, banking, or thinking about your next career move, this one is worth your time.
Charlotte Crosswell – Goldman Sachs, Nasdaq & The Future of FinTech
09 mars 2026
00:45:45
From a small village to the heart of global financial markets.
On our Women’s Day special, we host Charlotte Crosswell, Board Member at the London Stock Exchange.
Charlotte’s journey is an inspiration for many girls and women who want to build a career in fintech and financial services.
From humble beginnings in a small village to the global financial stage, she has held leadership roles at the London Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, Innovate Finance, and CFIT.
She was also among the few women on the trading floor in the 1990s, building her career in an industry that was still largely male-dominated.
In this episode, Matthew Cheung, founder of Work in Fintech, sits down with Charlotte to unpack:
✅ Her journey from a small village to senior roles at Goldman Sachs, Nasdaq, and the London Stock Exchange ✅ How fintech and technology are transforming financial services ✅ Why data ownership will define the future of financial markets ✅ The importance of innovation and continuous learning in a rapidly changing industry ✅ Practical advice for young professionals entering the industry
Coming just after International Women’s Day, Charlotte also shares her thoughts on the progress women have made in fintech and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Whether you’re interested in fintech, financial markets, or building a career in the industry, this episode offers valuable insights into leadership, innovation, and navigating one of the fastest-evolving sectors in the world.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
After 3 Startup Exits, Here’s What He’s Betting on in FinTech | Sheel Mohnot GP at BTV
23 févr. 2026
00:22:46
Today’s guest on the show is Sheel Mohnot, Co-founder and General Partner at Better Tomorrow Ventures, a San Francisco based seed-stage fund focused on fintech, with investments in companies like Ramp, Mercury, and Unit.
In this episode, host Matthew Chung, founder of Work in Fintech, sits down with Sheel to unpack:
✅ His journey from founder to venture capitalist ✅ What truly separates exceptional founders from the rest ✅ The role of luck and timing in startup success ✅ How AI is reshaping fintech and venture capital ✅ The next big opportunities emerging in fintech ✅ Practical advice for young entrepreneurs navigating risk, learning, and growth
Whether you’re an aspiring founder, investor, or operator, this episode offers an honest look at building in fintech, spotting opportunity early, and what it really takes to win in today’s startup ecosystem.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
Inside seedcamp Playbook for Finding Billion Dollar Startups | Carlos Eduardo Espinal
10 févr. 2026
00:52:17
Today’s guest on the show is Carlos Espinal, Managing Partner at Seedcamp, one of Europe’s leading seed-stage venture capital funds, with early investments in companies like Wise, Revolut, and UiPath.
In this episode, host Matthew Chung, founder of Work in Fintech, sits down with Carlos Espinal to unpack:
✅ Carlos early career & how he got into venture capital ✅ How Seedcamp spots billion-dollar founders before anyone else ✅ The key traits that separate exceptional founders from everyone else ✅ How the venture capital landscape has evolved ✅ The biggest opportunities in tech right now ✅ Practical advice for young entrepreneurs
Whether you’re an aspiring founder, investor, or someone looking to break into venture capital, this episode offers a candid look at how careers evolve, how great companies are built, and what it really takes to succeed in the startup ecosystem.
Important Links https://cee.medium.com/how-venture-adapts-when-trust-erodes-41568a2deb33
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
Why Banks Are Losing to Fintech | Francesco Filia, Founder of Fasanara Capital ($5.5B AUM)
26 janv. 2026
00:39:16
Today’s guest on the show is Francesco Filia, founder and CEO of Fasanara Capital, a global asset manager and technology-driven investment platform.
In this episode, host Matthew Cheung, founder of Work in Fintech, sits down with Francesco Filia to unpack:
✅ Francesco's early career and the key lessons that shaped him ✅ How the idea for Fasanara came about and the problem it set out to solve ✅ The biggest opportunities and trends in fintech today ✅ The main risk in the banking sector ✅ Why private credit is experiencing a moment of growth ✅ What he looks for when investing a company ✅ Advice for young people entering the workforce in the age of AI
If you’ve just graduated or are looking to enter fintech, this episode is packed with amazing insights and nuggets and is a must-watch.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
Inside Asia's Leading Independent Digital Wealth Platform | Founder Gregory Van
12 janv. 2026
00:52:01
Today’s guest on the show is Gregory Van, Co-Founder & CEO of Endowus, Asia’s leading independent digital wealth platform.
In this episode, host Matthew Cheung sits down with Gregory to unpack:
✅ How the idea behind Endowus came about ✅ What makes Endowus unique ✅ How AI is used in wealth management ✅ Investment vs. speculation ✅ The reality of funds and management fees
And much more…
If you’re a founder, CEO, fund manager, or even an investor in the stock market, this episode of the WIF Podcast is highly insightful.
From understanding the wealth management business to how AI is used in wealth management ,this episode is packed with valuable insights.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
How FinTechs Win Multi-Million-Dollar Banking Deals | Tom Bentley, CRO at 10x Banking
18 nov. 2025
00:40:44
In this episode, host Matthew Cheung dives deep into Tom’s fascinating journey, from DJing during his university days to leading one of the most forward-thinking fintech companies in the world.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
✅ The sales playbook behind multi-million–dollar fintech enterprise deals ✅ How 10x Banking is powering the next generation of global banks ✅ The evolution of core banking and banking-as-a-service, and why it matters today ✅ How AI is transforming the way banks operate (and what’s next)
If you’re in fintech, sales, or tech leadership, this episode is packed with insights on how to sell and scale in one of the fastest-changing industries on earth.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
$35M → $3B in 36 Months: The Sezzle Growth Blueprint | Founder Charlie Youakim
05 nov. 2025
00:52:15
Today’s guest on the show is Charlie Youakim, Co-founder & CEO of Sezzle, the fast-growing Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) platform.
In this episode, host Matthew Cheung sits down with Charlie to unpack:
✅ Sezzle’s business model ✅ How Sezzle makes money ✅ The shift that led to their rapid profitability & explosive growth ✅ How a billion-dollar company thinks about hiring ✅ Why BNPL is shaping the future of commerce, and what’s coming next
If you’re a founder, CEO, operator, or anyone building in fintech, this conversation is a masterclass.
From understanding how business model innovation can change a company’s trajectory to learning how top fintech leaders hire and scale, this episode is packed with insights.
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How to Thrive (Not Just Survive) in a Crowded Market
29 oct. 2025
00:28:33
In this session of the Work in Fintech AI Summit, Anthony Cheung (Chief Content & Culture Officer, AmplifyME) and Neil Massa (CRO, The Connection Lab) reveal how to stand out in today’s crowded market.
Blending humor, real-world insights, and practical strategies, this engaging talk shows you how to move beyond survival mode and position yourself to truly thrive in a competitive world.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
How Christian Nentwich Built a $100M+ Fintech Business
16 juil. 2025
00:44:28
In this episode, we are joined by Christian Nentwich, founder of Duco, a B2B data automation company valued at over $100 million.
Christian shares how he started his first business, how he entered the world of fintech, the challenges he faced while scaling a company, and the mistakes he made that, if avoided, could have accelerated Duco’s growth.
He also explains why B2B fintech is one of the best, yet most difficult businesses to be in, and why being exceptionally good at sales, along with having resilience and a never-give-up attitude, is crucial when dealing with $100K+ ticket-size deals.
What makes his story even more compelling is that both startups he founded were ahead of their time, offering cloud and automation solutions when banks and financial institutions weren’t ready. Duco nearly failed before a major market shift in 2015 turned the tide.
If you’re building in fintech, SaaS, or enterprise tech, this episode is full of deep insights and actionable lessons from someone who's been through it all.
Connect with Christian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiannentwich
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In this episode, we’re joined by Leif Abraham, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Public.com, the social investing platform that raised nearly $400 million last year and doubled its revenue.
Leif has a bold hiring philosophy: he intentionally avoids candidates from elite schools like Harvard or Stanford. Why? Because he believes street smarts are better than book smarts.
In this conversation, we unpack:
How Leif started and sold his first startup
Key Moments & Challenges While Scaling Public.com
Street Smarts vs. Book Smarts & Hiring Philosophy
The next big opportunity in the tech world
ABOUT US:
At Work in Fintech, our mission is to inspire and guide the next generation of Fintech talent.
Founded by Matt Cheung, we bring you exclusive interviews with Fintech founders, CEOs, and industry leaders.
Together, we explore how to break into Fintech, what it takes to succeed, and how you can gain an edge.
Packed with real-world insights and practical advice, our content helps students, grads, and young pros stand out in Fintech and Finance.
Check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3.
The Secret to Paying Off Your Mortgage Faster: Jinesh Vora’s Game-Changing Fintech
22 janv. 2025
00:33:17
Jinesh Vora, Founder and CEO of Sprive, shares his journey from a corporate career at Goldman Sachs to launching his own fintech startup aimed at helping homeowners pay off their mortgages faster. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in the mortgage market, the importance of financial education, and the strategies for growth and networking in the fintech space. Jinesh emphasises the need for innovation in personal finance and the potential for fintech to disrupt traditional banking practices.
Takeaways
Janesh's entrepreneurial spirit was influenced by his family
The idea for Sprive was born from personal experiences with mortgages
Financial literacy is crucial for making informed financial decisions
Networking is essential for startup success and finding the right talent
Understanding mortgage terms can empower users to make better choices
Entrepreneurship offers unlimited potential compared to corporate jobs
Chapters
00:00 From Corporate to Startup: The Journey Begins 02:47 Identifying Pain Points: The Birth of Sprive 06:04 Innovating the Mortgage Market: Sprive's Unique Approach 09:13 Financial Education: Empowering Users for Better Decisions 11:59 Growth Strategies: Navigating the Fintech Landscape 14:56 Building a Network: The Key to Entrepreneurial Success 18:14 Hiring for Success: Skills and Experience in Fintech 20:59 Reflections on Career Choices: Corporate vs. Startup Life 24:12 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Taking the Leap 26:58 Conclusion: The Future of Sprive and Personal Finance
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Mike Hudack on Building Fintech Unicorns: Lessons from Monzo, Facebook, and Deliveroo
23 nov. 2024
00:51:18
Mike Hudak shares his journey from dropping out of high school to becoming a prominent figure in the fintech industry. He discusses his experiences at various startups, including Facebook, Monzo, Deliveroo, Blip TV and Sling Money, his latest venture.
Mike reflects on the differences between the UK and US startup ecosystems, the challenges of raising capital, and the importance of product management in building successful companies. He emphasises the need for dynamism in the UK to foster growth and innovation.
Mike discusses the evolution of team autonomy as a technology, the inception of Sling as a global payment solution, and the challenges of navigating regulation in the financial landscape. He emphasises the importance of user experience in blockchain technology, outlines potential revenue models for Sling, and offers valuable advice for the next generation entering the workforce during a time of rapid technological change.
Takeaways
Mike dropped out of high school due to a lack of interest in traditional education and learned coding at home before taking a job at a startup.
Transitioning to Facebook was like moving from the minor leagues to playing for Yankees.
Persistence and learning from failures are key to success.
Product management is crucial for aligning teams and ensuring project success. The product way of working is a form of technology.
Timing is critical in the tech industry.
Embracing novelty and risk is essential for career growth.
The current era is a golden age of technological advancement.
Learning from mistakes is vital for personal and professional development.
Future careers will be shaped by emerging technologies.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mike Hudak and His Journey 01:00 Dropping Out of High School: A Personal Choice 04:15 The Birth of Blip TV: A Startup Adventure 07:12 Transitioning to Facebook: Learning in a Big League 09:54 Moving Back to the UK: A Personal Perspective 13:17 Starting a New Company: Insights on the UK Startup Scene 17:28 Navigating the Startup Ecosystem: Challenges and Opportunities 22:05 The Role of Product Management: A Key to Success 24:53 The Technology of Team Autonomy 27:07 The Birth of Sling: A Global Payment Solution 34:38 Navigating Regulation in the Financial Landscape 37:55 Building a User-Friendly Blockchain Experience 41:13 Revenue Models and Future Growth 46:23 Embracing Change: Advice for the Next Generation
https://twitter.com/mhudack
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Building Fintech Success: Christian Faes Shares Insights on Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Resilience
18 oct. 2024
00:42:12
In this episode of Interviews with Leaders in Fintech & Web3, we sit down with serial entrepreneur Christian Faes, Co-Founder and Chairman of LendInvest and Founder of Faes & Co, to explore his remarkable journey from lawyer to fintech leader.
Christian recounts his transition from practicing law in Australia to becoming a major player in the fintech industry. He shares how he built LendInvest into a market leader, tackled the challenges of scaling the business, and the hard-earned lessons from taking the company public. Now launching a new venture in the US, Christian provides invaluable insights on entrepreneurship, the importance of resilience, and the ongoing disruption of financial services through technology.
In this conversation, he debunks misconceptions about entrepreneurship, reflects on the realities of IPOs, compares the UK and US fintech markets, and highlights the supportive ecosystem in London. He also stresses the importance of building a profitable business while enjoying the journey along the way.
Whether you're a fintech enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is filled with practical advice for building a sustainable business in a rapidly evolving industry.
00:00 From Law to FinTech: Christian's Journey 03:45 Building LendInvest: Challenges and Successes 08:08 The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Misconceptions and Hard Work 12:37 IPO Insights: The Holy Grail of Entrepreneurship 17:27 Navigating Market Perceptions: UK vs US FinTech 20:29 Supporting FinTech: The Founders Group Initiative 24:15 Political Climate and Its Impact on FinTech 27:55 Why the US? Christian's Move and New Ventures 30:42 Building a New Lending Business: Strategies and Focus 34:02 The Ideal Founding Team: Traits and Dynamics 36:08 Breaking into FinTech: No Prerequisites Needed 37:54 Reflections on Career Choices: Learning from Mistakes
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Unraveling Retail Trading: Insights from Elina Pedersen on Fintech Innovations and Leadership
04 oct. 2024
00:31:24
Eager to unravel the intricacies of retail trading and fintech innovations? Join us as Elina Pedersen, the dynamic co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Your Bourse, shares her fascinating journey from the fast-paced world of Admiral Markets to spearheading her own venture.
Through Elina's insights, gain a unique perspective on the rise of retail trading and how it sets itself apart from the institutional giants. She offers an inside look at the motivations behind launching Your Bourse, emphasising the critical role of technology in bridging gaps for retail brokerages and enhancing trading safety and conditions.
In an enlightening conversation, we cover the transformative trends shaking up retail trading, from the essential role of data centres and low latency to the emergence of brokers crafting their own trading interfaces. Elina provides an honest account of navigating the competitive fintech landscape, particularly as a female leader in a predominately male field. She discusses the hurdles faced by startup brokers and the pivotal importance of education and advanced tools for success. As we reflect on the historical evolution of the trading industry, Elina's candid insights leave us pondering what, if anything, she would change about her remarkable career.
Takeaways
Retail trading is speculative trading for personal gain.
Elina's journey from marketing to CEO showcases rapid growth.
Identifying gaps in the market led to the creation of Your Bourse.
Your Bourse connects brokerages to execution venues and risk management.
Low latency is crucial for trading efficiency and scalability.
AI is simplifying developer tasks but won't replace them.
Prop trading is a new trend in the retail trading space.
Gold remains a popular trading instrument due to its predictability.
The broker technology space is competitive and knowledge-intensive.
Leadership requires transparency, feedback, and addressing blockers.
Elina Pederson https://www.linkedin.com/in/elina-pedersen-59676014/ Matt Cheung https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcheung50/
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Secrets of Sales Leadership Revealed: Tamsin Hobley's Journey to the Top at SIX
27 sept. 2024
00:39:24
Summary Tamsin Hobley, Country Head for UK and Ireland at SIX, shares her journey in the finance industry and the importance of sales leadership and strategic sales. She emphasises the value of curiosity, listening, and building relationships in sales.
Tamsin also discusses the role of SIX in the financial industry, including its various business units and its focus on technology. She highlights the significance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in the industry and the need for companies to comply with ESG standards.
Tamsin talks about the importance of culture in the workplace, supporting working parents, and promoting diversity and inclusion. She offers advice for aspiring leaders, emphasising the importance of being brave, trying new things, and being open to diverse perspectives. Tamsin also discusses the future of SIX and her interest in non-executive roles and giving back.
Takeaways
Curiosity and building relationships are key in sales.
ESG compliance is important for companies in the finance industry.
Culture, support for working parents, and diversity and inclusion are crucial in the workplace.
Leaders should be open to diverse perspectives and communicate effectively.
The future of SIX involves innovation, growth, and potential non-executive roles.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Tamsin Hobley's Background 03:27 Transition from Retail Banking to Sales Leadership 08:54 The Importance of Learning from Experience in Sales 16:46 The Significance of ESG and Diversity in the Financial Sector 21:55 Building a Supportive Culture and Fostering Leadership 29:41 The Role of Diversity of Thought in Leadership 33:55 Effective Communication and Listening as a Leader 38:23 Future Plans and Giving Back
Surrounding Yourself With Exceptional People - William Quigley (Part 2), co-founder of Tether & Wax, first institutional investor in Paypal
05 sept. 2024
01:04:07
In his second appearance on the Work in Fintech podcast William Quigley and Matt Cheung discuss career options, education, big companies vs startups and it what it takes to succeed when you start your own company.
William Quigley, a long-time VC - he was Paypal's first institutional investor - and entrepreneur, from gaming to blockchain (he cofounded Tether and WAX) shares his insights on:
Foundational skills, such as critical thinking, are valuable in career development.
A university education can provide a broad set of skills and opportunities.
Working in a large, established company can offer exposure to exceptional business practices and experienced professionals.
Assessing the financial health of a company and understanding market perceptions is important for career stability.
Identifying opportunities and launching new products or services requires assessing market demand and managing resources effectively. Finding a co-founder or small team is important when starting a startup to share the workload and bring complementary skills.
Assessing who would work well as a co-founder is a skill that needs to be developed.
Consider the amount of capital needed and the potential for growth when deciding whether to raise funding.
Surround yourself with exceptional people who challenge and push you to grow.
Curiosity is a key trait for entrepreneurs and can lead to insights and new business ideas.
Assess the size and potential growth of an industry to guide career decisions and identify opportunities.
Rodney Williams, co-founder of SoLo Funds, shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur and fintech innovator. He discusses his first startup, LISNR, which used ultrasonic technology for seamless checkout experiences. Williams, an inspiring black entrepreneur, explains the motivation behind later starting SoLo Funds, a peer-to-peer lending marketplace that provides access to capital and helps individuals create bigger yield on their savings. He highlights the challenges of regulatory actions and the importance of being a B Corp. Williams emphasises the need for financial literacy and the role of fintech in empowering underserved communities. He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and take risks.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background 02:57 From Listener to Solo Funds 08:32 The Problem of Limited Access to Capital 14:25 Challenges of Regulatory Actions 20:35 Go-to-Market Strategy and Product Differentiation 27:34 The Significance of Being a B Corp 31:33 Financial Literacy and Empowering Underserved Communities 36:58 The Future of Solo Funds and Advice for Entrepreneurs
The Role of Legal in Fintech: Insights from Revolut
12 août 2024
00:40:46
Summary
In this episode, Matt interviews Philippa Poole and Daniel Geller from Revolut, Europe's largest fintech company. They discuss their backgrounds and how they ended up working in the legal department at Revolut. They also talk about the differences between working in a law firm versus a fintech company, the challenges of scaling a legal team in a rapidly growing company, and the importance of automation and AI in their work. They emphasise the need for curiosity, embracing technology, and taking risks in one's career.
Takeaways
There are many job roles in fintech beyond coding and development, including legal roles.
Working in-house at a fintech company allows for a closer relationship with the business and a more strategic approach to legal advice.
As a fintech company grows, the legal team must focus on scalability and automation to keep up with the demands of the business.
Embracing technology, such as AI, can save time and improve efficiency in legal processes.
Being curious, staying up to date with new developments, and taking risks are important for career growth in the fintech industry.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Revolut and the Legal Department 07:45 Comparison of Working in a Law Firm vs. Fintech 12:37 Scaling Challenges and the Importance of Automation 16:41 The Role of the Legal Department in Keeping Revolut Running 21:56 The Culture at Revolut and Working in a Fast-Growing Company 25:56 Hiring and Skills in the Legal Department 30:50 The Impact of Automation and AI in the Legal Department 36:13 Advice for Young Professionals and Embracing Technology
From PayPal to Tether: William Quigley’s Journey in Fintech & Blockchain Innovation
01 août 2024
01:02:34
Summary
William Quigley, a long-time VC and entrepreneur, shares his journey from auditing failing financial institutions to becoming a venture capitalist and co-founding Tether and WAX. He discusses the challenges of investing in the early days of the internet and blockchain, and the creation of Tether as a stablecoin. Quigley also explains the roadmap for NFTs and the evolution of WAX as a platform for trading NFTs. The conversation covers various topics related to NFTs, blockchain, AI, and career advice. William Quigley discusses the limitations of Ethereum for consumer mass market transactions and the potential of NFTs beyond collectibles. He emphasizes the ability of NFTs to transfer something to someone at no cost and with certainty of authenticity. Quigley also explores the intersection of blockchain and AI, particularly in auditing smart contracts and enhancing trading strategies. He advises young people to gain foundational skills in an exceptional company before venturing into entrepreneurship and to observe untapped market opportunities.
Takeaways
William Quigley has a background in auditing financial institutions and working at the Walt Disney Company before becoming a venture capitalist.
He co-founded Tether, the world's first fiat-backed stablecoin, and WAX, a blockchain platform for trading NFTs.
The early days of investing in the internet and blockchain were challenging, as there was limited interest and understanding in these technologies.
Tether was created to provide stability in the volatile crypto market and enable easier trading between cryptocurrencies.
WAX was developed to tokenize and trade non-fungible assets, such as video game virtual items and collectibles.
The roadmap for NFTs includes expanding the use cases beyond profile pictures and collectibles, with potential applications in various industries. Ethereum is not designed for consumer mass market transactions, and NFTs have the potential to go beyond collectibles.
NFTs enable the transfer of assets at no cost and with certainty of authenticity, revolutionizing the verification process.
AI can be used to audit smart contracts and enhance trading strategies in the blockchain space.
Young people should gain foundational skills in an exceptional company before pursuing entrepreneurship and should observe untapped market opportunities.
Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:44 Challenges of Investing in the Early Days of the Internet and Blockchain 14:12 The Creation of Tether 27:35 WAX: Tokenizing and Trading Non-Fungible Assets 32:18 The Roadmap for NFTs 39:14 The Intersection of Blockchain and AI: Auditing Smart Contracts 42:34 Enhancing Trading Strategies with AI in the Blockchain Space 46:42 Career Advice: Gaining Foundational Skills and Observing Market Opportunities
https://x.com/williamequigley
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Fintech payments: Swipe cards to Stablecoins, with Sean Forward, UK CEO of payabl
06 juil. 2024
00:42:30
Summary
In this conversation, Matt Cheung interviews Sean Forward, the UK CEO of payabl, a fintech company specialising in payments. They discuss the role of payabl in helping merchants accept payments, the concept of omni-channel payments, and Sean's journey in the fintech industry. They also explore the future of payments, including stablecoins and central bank digital currencies. Sean emphasises the importance of staying informed about industry trends and being discerning about the sources of information. He also highlights the diverse range of roles within a payments company and the value of teamwork and diverse skill sets. Finally, they briefly touch on the potential impact of a change in government on the fintech industry.
Takeaways
-payabl is a payment processor that helps merchants accept payments, with a focus on credit cards. -The concept of omni-channel payments refers to the ability to accept payments through various channels, such as credit cards, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies. -Staying informed about industry trends and being discerning about sources of information are crucial in the rapidly evolving fintech industry. -There is a diverse range of roles within a payments company, and teamwork and diverse skill sets are essential for success. -The future of payments may involve the widespread adoption of stablecoins and central bank digital currencies.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to payabl 03:03 Understanding Omni-Channel Payments 12:17 Sean's Journey in the Fintech Industry 25:08 The Future of Payments: Stablecoins and CBDCs 33:02 Skills and Attributes for Success in Fintech 43:17 The Potential Impact of a Change in Government 45:03 Conclusion and Contact Information
Role of Quants in Crypto: Javier Rodriguez Alarcon, XBTO Chief Commercial Officer & Head of Digital Investment Strategies
09 avr. 2024
00:49:21
Summary
Javier Rodriguez Alarcon, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Asset Management at XBTO, discusses the role of XBTO as a full service digital assets provider, focusing on institutional investors. He explains the three main business verticals of XBTO: capital markets, investment management, and a platform business.
Before moving to crypto, Javier was in TradFi at Goldman Sachs as the Global Head of Client Portfolio Management and EMEA Head of Quantitative Investment Strategies. Prior to that he was at Barclays Global Investors, now part of Blackrock.
Key takeaways
-Javier breaks down step-by-step how quant investors use technology and numerical processes to apply statistical modelling to investment decisions and portfolio construction. -The convergence of traditional finance and crypto is happening, but legacy technology is a challenge. Javier thinks the full adoption of crypto and digital assets in financial transactions is likely in the future and discussing how institutions utilise crypto derivatives (for the major coins) and the role of decentralised exchanges vs centralised exchanges. -If you are in a technical role, soft skills such as communication and the ability to explain complex concepts, are crucial for you to stand out in the financial industry and crypto
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Javier Rodriguez Alarcon and XBTO 02:50 Javier's Background as a Quant Investor 04:16 The Impact of Cloud Computing and AI 09:25 Javier's Transition from TradFi to Crypto 14:19 The Challenges of Convergence in the Financial Industry 23:48 Decentralized Exchanges vs. Centralized Exchanges 27:21 Quantitative Analysis in Portfolio Construction 35:12 Skills and Advice for Young Professionals in Crypto 45:24 The Future of Crypto and Digital Assets 49:14 Advice for Javier's 18-Year-Old Self
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Shaping Tomorrow: The AI powered Metaverse with Alvin Wang Graylin
17 mars 2024
01:04:28
Alvin Wang Graylin, Global VP of Corporate Development for HTC, discusses the intersection of AI and the metaverse. Alvin shares his background and journey in the tech industry, highlighting the importance of hard work and the value of understanding programming. Alvin explains how AI and XR technologies are coming together to create a transformative metaverse experience, discusses the challenges of centralization versus decentralization in the metaverse and the implications of privacy and anonymity in this new digital world. The conversation explores various themes related to the AI-powered metaverse and its impact on society. It delves into topics such as privacy and data control, the possibilities of the metaverse, tips for adapting to change, the importance of soft skills, the value of reading and curiosity, being kind and ethical, setting purpose-driven goals, embracing art and culture, taking care of physical health, prioritizing meaningful relationships, understanding and valuing the elderly, finding fulfillment and purpose, learning from mistakes and traveling, building understanding and empathy, anthropogenic risks and unity, the future of money and universal basic income, and advice for students.
Check out his latest book https://ournextreality.com/
Takeaways:
•The AI-powered metaverse has the potential to reshape society in various ways, and it is important to consider the ethical implications and privacy concerns associated with it. •Soft skills such as communication, leadership, and ethical decision-making will become increasingly valuable in a world driven by AI and automation. •Reading voraciously and seeking knowledge from diverse sources can help individuals make connections and gain a deeper understanding of the world. •Kindness, empathy, and meaningful relationships are essential for personal well-being and societal harmony. •As technology advances, it is crucial to prioritize physical health, embrace art and culture, and find purpose and fulfillment beyond materialistic pursuits. •The transition to a post-scarcity society may lead to a shift away from traditional monetary systems, with a focus on providing for basic needs and fostering human connection.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background 06:10 The Intersection of AI and XR 11:10 The AI-Powered Metaverse 14:01 The Evolution of the Metaverse 22:14 Centralization vs Decentralization in the Metaverse 27:07 Privacy and Anonymity in the Metaverse 32:46 Privacy and Data Control 34:19 The Art of the Possible 35:43 Tips for Adapting to Change 36:58 The Importance of Soft Skills 38:20 The Value of Reading and Curiosity 39:42 Being Kind and Ethical 41:08 Setting Purpose-Driven Goals 42:00 Embracing Art and Culture 42:53 Taking Care of Physical Health 44:18 Prioritizing Meaningful Relationships 45:44 Understanding and Valuing the Elderly 46:08 Finding Fulfillment and Purpose 47:31 Learning from Mistakes and Traveling 48:55 Building Understanding and Empathy 50:22 Anthropogenic Risks and Unity 54:27 The Future of Money and Universal Basic Income 56:06 Moving Towards a Post-Monetary Society 01:01:25 Advice to 18-Year-Old Self
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Harnessing Data, Diving Deep, and Connecting Networks: Insights from Matt Ober of Social Leverage
12 mai 2023
00:29:31
Matt Ober, General Partner at Social Leverage, delves into the world of data, automation, networking, and early-stage investing.
Matt shares his journey from specializing in equity derivatives at Bloomberg to hedge funds and then leveraging his expertise to navigate the complex waters of venture capital.
00:00:52 Matt Ober shares his background from Bloomberg, WorldQuant, Third Point and the journey into fintech and venture capital 00:02:14 Scaling WorldQuant 100x with data 00:07:02 Moving to venture capital from hedge funds 00:08:42 Why is data so important in fintech - access to information... and financial markets? 00:09:56 AI is the next frontier 00:14:52 What are the opportunities in fintech and web3 00:16:34 Opportunities in wealthtech 00:18:09 Exciting areas for people in their studies or early careers to focus on in fintech and web3 00:19:14 No such thing as the perfect job 00:20:09 Networking as a superpower - social leverage 00:21:18 Follow the laws of karma as you go through your career 00:22:28 Generalist versus specialist 00:25:46 Always be learning 00:26:55 Investing in people at seed stage startups 00:28:29 Summary
Read Matt's insight's here https://mirror.xyz/workinfintech.eth
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Acing the Startup Funding Process: Key Insights from Expert Jonathan Holis, Managing Partner, Mountside Ventures
03 mai 2023
00:41:27
Jonathan Holis is Managing Partner at Mountside Ventures. He joins Work in Fintech's Matthew Cheung to share insights about:
-The steps from idea to funding -Breaking down the fundraising process -Tips to close funding quickly and efficiently
1:01 How Jonathan went from PWC to founding a venture company 4:48 What does Mountside Ventures do 5:53 What is a fundraising process 8:00 Looking for the right investor 9:14 Different types of investors 11:04 Raising money is like sales 12:09 Valuation is more of an art than a science 14:48 Startup and funding terminology - what is a series A, B etc 16:55 How did you go about starting your own fund 23:12 Knowing your investor and how they raise money will help you close faster 24:48 Tips to speed up the investment process (decks, biz plans) 27:36 Lifecycle of an investment fund - VCs have to do the same fundraising process that startups do 30:56 Why is the UK a leader in fintech 35:10 Soft skills that anyone can use to excel in fintech
Discover a comprehensive guide to securing funding for your fintech startup, based on insights from Jonathan Holis, managing partner of Mountside Ventures here https://mirror.xyz/workinfintech.eth/YNskkXLP25So5F__zshhYlu3c3ls9djeXA0dBSdF1h0
Full YouTube interview here https://youtu.be/SU3By2V0iQs
#funding #startups #VCs #fintech
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Connecting Mindset to the Metaverse with CEO of Dig South, Stanfield Gray
14 févr. 2023
00:22:14
Stanfield Gray is the CEO of Dig South: The South's Tech Hub and DIG SOUTH Tech Summit, the first and foremost event dedicated to growing the South’s tech economy, held April 26-27 in Charleston, SC. Visit digsummit.com for details.
Stanfield joins Work in Fintech co-founder Ying Cao to talk about:
What is the metaverse, exactly?
The future of storytelling in the Metaverse
The importance of community building
Embracing the beginners mindset
Highlights: 2:58 What is the metaverse? 7:40 How are you approaching storytelling in the metaverse? 10:10 What are some projects you are embarking on? 14:00 Biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs 18:50 How does mindset come into play as innovators embark on their journey? 20:00 What’s next for you?
Check out our website: https://workinfintech.com/ and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3
How to Break Into Web3 as a Non-Coder with Microsoft Global Lead Web3 Strategy & Business Development, Vassilis Tziokas
17 déc. 2022
00:38:47
Vassilis Tziokas, the Global Lead for Web3 Business Development and Strategy at Microsoft joins Work in Fintech co-founder Matthew Cheung to talk about:
-Opportunities in web3 for sales and marketing -GTM and sales enablement -Generative AI and how ChatGPT can enhance work -Insights for people looking to get into the industry
How does Financial Regulation help Fintech and Web3? Dr Iwa Salami, Co-director of the Centre of Fintech, University of East London, Explains How!
01 oct. 2022
00:32:15
Does financial regulation always play catch up to the fast moving world of fintech and web3? Does regulation hinder or help cultivate innovation?
Dr Iwa Salami, Reader in Financial Law and Regulation, co-director at the Centre of Fintech at the Royal Docks School of Business and Law at University of East London joins Work in Fintech to discuss these topics as well as talk about her career and the state of financial regulation in fintech and web3. Iwa's research areas include:
Mobile payments, crowd-funding;
Crypto-assets, stablecoins, decentralised finance (DeFi), Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the metaverse, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
Dr Salami is keen to supervise potential PhD students interested in researching any of the areas listed above or other related aspects of fintech regulation.
Learn more about the Centre of Fintech and their BSc, MSc and MBA courses on fintech, blockchain and AI here https://www.uel.ac.uk/our-research/research-royal-docks-school-business-law-rdsbl/centre-fintech
Check out our website: https://workinfintech.com/ and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3
Opportunities in web3, blockchain and fintech with Robby Yung, CEO of Animoca Brands
06 sept. 2022
00:38:27
Robby Young is CEO of Animoca Brands, a $6bln blockchain gaming company and one of the most prolific investors in web3 on the planet.
Robby talks about: 0:46 - His journey to being CEO of Animoca 7:23 - Why luck played a part in Animoca's pivot into blockchain games from mobile games 14:08 - Why gaming is an on-ramp into blockchain and the metaverse 15:42 - What is the metaverse and how does web3 and NFTs intersect with the metaverse 18:23 - What drives Animoca Brands web3 investment strategy 23:16 - What are the biggest opportunities in web3 and the metaverse 26:09 - What skillsets and mindsets should people wanting to get into web3 strive towards 32:43 - Advice for anyone starting their career
Robby is interviewed by Matt Cheung (@matthew_cheung_) co-founder of Work in Fintech and Benyamin Ahmed (@obiwanbenoni), chief evangelist of Work in Fintech, creator of Weird Whales and 13 year old NFT prodigy.
Watch the interview on Youtube here https://youtu.be/QoZd-pu-Ioc
Check out our website: https://workinfintech.com/ and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3
William Entriken, Lead Author of ERC-721 - NFT Standard, Talks to NFT Prodigy Benyamin Ahmed
09 août 2022
01:03:53
William Entriken is the lead author of ERC-721, the document that started NFTs as we know them, and changed the digital world.
ERC-721 was made famous by CryptoKitties and it is the non-fungible token (“NFT”) standard that powers other blockchain platforms such as Decentraland and OpenSea. William is a blockchain developer who continually contributes to the Ethereum open source project. William’s main focuses are on language design and interoperability and his other interests include corporate development and security research.
Check out our website: https://workinfintech.com/ and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3
Serial Fintech Entrepreneur Felicia Meyerowitz Singh > Skills & Mindset You Need To Build High Growth Fintech Companies
28 mai 2022
00:29:00
Felicia Meyerowitz Singh is a serial entrepreneur passionate about fintech, wealthtech, innovation and digital change. Her achievements include:
- Founder and CEO of Akoni Hub, a UK wealthtech platform, where she recently exited - Co-founder of Hive Founders, a global network of female entrepreneurs, supporting founders at any stage - Managing Director of strategic relationships at leading wealthtech firm FNZ - Fintech mentor for the UK Department of International Trade - MBA from London Business School
She talks about:
- How entrepreneurs need grit, determination and perseverance - How to use talent, energy and experience to build high growth companies - Having a bias for action by spotting gaps in the market and solving for them
Felicia is a true fintech warrior.
Check out our website: https://workinfintech.com/ and subscribe to our mailing list to hear more about opportunities in fintech and web3
Metaverse Veteran Doug Thompson Talks About Opportunities in the Metaverse and How You Can Get Started
11 mai 2022
00:36:18
Doug Thompson has been working in and around the metaverse for the last 15 years.
Doug is a serial entrepreneur running a metaverse strategy agency, co-founder of a NFT project called Echocore and is involved in DAOs such as the Open Meta DAO.
He is a digital nomad and a true expert in all things related to the metaverse. His newsletter Out of Scope is a must read.
Hear Doug's thoughts on: - How gaming is the onramp to the metaverse - What is the definition of The Metaverse - How big is the metaverse opportunity - What and where are the metaverse jobs - DAOs and NFTs - How to get started in the metaverse
From professional opera singing to a career in coaching: Elena Armijo discusses her career and DEI initiatives
08 mars 2022
00:22:34
Elena Armijo joins Work in Fintech to discuss her career, DEI initiatives and sense of belonging within organisations.
Elena has been in coaching for 8 years now. Previously, she was a professional opera singer and she has recently launched a new platform called C-Suite Collective which encourages DEI initiatives and helps companies create culture from the inside out.
Hear Elena's thoughts on: - The value of diversity and inclusion - The C-Suite Collective platform - Are DEI initiatives worth it? - Challenges in implementing DEI initiatives - Best practices within DEI - What is your definition of belonging - Future of C-Suite Collective
First Female Editor of the The Banker, Joy Macknight, in 95 Years talks about fintech and what it takes to become a female leader
06 mars 2022
00:34:51
Joy Macknight is first woman to lead The Banker, a Financial Times publication, in its 95-year history.
She is uniquely positioned with a front-row seat of banking, technology and fintech by interviewing CEOs, CFOs and founders about the transformative change and disruption brought on by innovations in fintech and a fundamental generational shift in preferences for managing money.
Hear her perspective on fintech based on 6 years of interviews from the hugely successful TechTalk series where she has met most of the world's fintech leaders. Joy also talks about diversity and inclusion in finance and fintech, how the fintech opportunity has evolved and what young people should do to start a career in fintech.
She joined The Banker in August 2015 as transaction banking and technology editor, which still remain her passion. She was previously Features Editor at Profit & Loss, an FX and derivatives publication and events company. Before that Joy was editorial director of Treasury Today following a period as editor of gtnews.com. She has also worked on Banking Technology, Computer Weekly, and IBM Computer Today. Joy holds a BSc from the University of Victoria, Canada.
Joy is interviewed by Work in Fintech co-founder Matt Cheung and Work in Fintech member Yasmine Karimi.