Archana Mishra’s Post

It’s been eight glorious years of customer-centric innovation in fintech. However, the industry can no longer remain immune to the tumultuous macroeconomic environment. Our co-founder Ivo Gueorguiev spoke with Startups Magazine about how sustainability is the new go-to-market, why starting small and testing big is the secret to success, and why it’s time to stop chasing growth at any cost. Dwindling investment isn't the death knell for progress and innovation. On the contrary, Ivo gives insight into the opportunity it presents fintechs 👇   #Trends #Payments #EmbeddedFinance #FinancialServices #Fintech

Uncertainty/Risk vs. Funding New ventures operating in areas of high Uncertainty have by definition more potential than others to be innovative. The mere presence of high Uncertainty means an area has not previously been sufficiently explored. Naturally, there is more greenfield space at the beginning of an innovation cycle. We indeed observed more attempts at radical innovation in the first half of the fintech cycle, when Uncertainty was high. As the market became more saturated with new ventures, resulting in less available greenfield space, and Uncertainty fell, the industry’s focus shifted to more incremental innovation (see chart below), as confirmed anecdotally in Mapping the Cycle, above. (Note: Risk/Uncertainty change over time for the same business as it makes progress. Different investor types are relevant for different rounds because of this changing risk composition.) Counterintuitively, this apparent reduction in radical innovation (ex-crypto) occurred even as increasing amounts of venture capital were entering the market. As the cycle progressed, the amount of funding for fintech increased tremendously, even adjusting for global VC growth (a proxy for risk-seeking capital availabile in the economy). As Uncertainty fell, the theory suggests, the potential size of successful outcomes should have fallen as well, adjusted for available capital in the ecosystem. In such a dynamic market as fintech, it is difficult to isolate the size of outcomes with respect to Uncertainty vs. Risk, but the idea is worth reflecting on, especially for founders and investors. Over the course of the cycle, even with more risk capital theoretically available to fund moonshots, did the industry focus increasingly on areas with less Uncertainty, with a resulting reduction in outcome potential? Anecdotally, we believe it did. Undoubtedly, Uncertainty in fintech naturally fell as we started getting answers to the most important questions that can be formulated around mobile/cloud/APIs + prevailing customer behavior + existing market structure. However, other factors potentially contributed to this reduction in Uncertainty as well and the corresponding shift to incremental innovation. We point to two primary factors: maturing founder profiles as the cycle progressed, with more former operators bringing pre-validated venture ideas informed by existing industry pain points, and investor preferences. While the potential impact of founder profiles is difficult to fully unpack, we’ll explore investor preferences in more detail. Subscribe https://lnkd.in/gcWnV_AC Source Rebank / Bill Beeson #fintech #risk #funding

Fintech startup Upswing Financial Technologies scores big in latest funding round - here's what it means for the future of financial services I recently published an in-depth analysis on WorldStartupNews about fintech darling Upswing and their impressive $4.2 million funding round led by Quona Capital. Upswing Financial Technologies is disrupting finance with an innovative approach that caters to evolving consumer needs. This injection of funds will spur their growth plans, including expansion into new markets, strengthening technology and talent, and forging strategic partnerships. For the fintech industry, Upswing's success signals continued momentum and investor confidence. As consumer expectations shift, agile startups like Upswing are poised to transform traditional banking. I explore key takeaways from this milestone funding round and its wider implications. Click below to read the full blog on WorldStartupNews: Here is the blog in the first comments. Whether you're interested in the growth of fintech or the future of financial services, I hope you find this analysis valuable. Let me know your key takeaways! #Worldstartupnews #contentcreation #startupfunding #fundingnews Infyleads

💡 Who’s leading the promising FinTech startups of recent? Meet five CEOs that stand out: Jason Lee, F. Daniel Siciliano, Brenton Thurman, Rohit Mathur, and Jennifer (Glaspie) Lundstrom. Discover more about them in the carousel. The companies they lead deserve a spotlight, too. Learn how they change FinTech below. Salt Labs Transforming hourly work into lasting value, Salt is a pioneering workers reward program where every hour worked earns a special benefit - Salt. The solution enables individuals to enjoy experiences, express gratitude, and gradually build asset ownership. Nikkl, Inc. Nikkl is revolutionizing access to investment opportunities in "unicorn" companies. Its fully compliant approach ensures risk-adjusted returns for investors, liquidity for employees, and enhanced cash management for unicorn balance sheets. Money Pickle Reshaping lead generation for financial advisors, Money Pickle delivers exclusive virtual appointments directly to advisors' calendars. The solution seamlessly connects advisors with ideal clients and provides individuals with an effortless way to consult a fiduciary for personalized financial guidance. Bridge (a Foro company) Bridge empowers growing companies seeking commercial loans of $1M+. By connecting businesses with the right financial institutions, it’s simplifying the lending process by offering insights, data, and counsel to help them confidently select a partner tailored to their specific needs. Tandym Transforming the private label credit card industry, Tandym is a financial technology company enabling e-commerce businesses to effortlessly offer their own next-generation credit cards. Tandym’s modern API is designed for seamless integration and a digital-first customer experience. ❓ Can you mention any other startup founded in the last three years that’s changing the game for FinTech? Let us know in the comments! #topCEOs #fintech #startups #leadership #business #P2Plending #unicorns

🚀#Fintech blends #finance with #technology, transforming how we handle money & transactions. #Startups in this field are reshaping traditional finance. Let's explore fintech startups & their impact. 🧐Discover more: https://lnkd.in/gy4PidjN #Scaleup #Investment #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #TechTrends #Technology #Leadership #Growth #Success #Management #Enterprise #Funding #StartupSuccess #BusinessGrowth #OpenScience #OpenAccess #Business #Startup #Startups #Entrepreneur #SME #Tech #EU #Europe #AngelInvestor #Venture #Businessman #VentureCapitalists #Crowdfunding #RAISE #InnovationCulture #FutureOfBusiness #DisruptiveTech #DigitalTransformation #SmallBiz #FounderLife #InnovationEcosystem #AngelInvesting #SeedFunding #TechStartup #BusinessStrategy #VCInvesting #StartupLife #TechInnovation #FundingRound #CorporateVenture #BusinessLeadership #StartupCulture #ScaleUpNation #EntrepreneurialMindset #InvestmentOpportunity #StartupCommunity #TechSavvy #EmergingTech #BusinessDevelopment #FounderJourney #InvestorNetwork #BusinessMentorship #StartupEcosystem #TechInvestor #ScaleUpStrategy #EntrepreneurialSpirit #InnovationHub #StartupIncubator #VCCommunity #InvestmentPortfolio #StartupAccelerator #DigitalEntrepreneur #VentureFunding #SeedCapital #GrowthMindset #TechEntrepreneur #StartupNation #InnovationStrategy #AngelNetwork #VentureCapitalFirm #Fintech #TechInnovationHub #BusinessNetworking #StartupAdvice #USA #InvestmentCapital #AngelInvestment #StartUpVenture #TechInvestment #BusinessIncubator #InvestorRelations #BusinessInsights EBAN - European Business Angel Network EURADA - European Association of Development Agencies SERN - Startup Europe Regions Network International Consortium of Research Staff Associations (ICoRSA)

IgniteFI launches Fractional Fintech to provide startups expertise - Finextra Research: Fintech leaders are visionaries who understand it takes more than vision to succeed. Running a fintech requires a team of seasoned experts capable ...

Unlocking Success: Network Fintech OPC's Journey with an Angel Investor 👑 In the dynamic world of fintech, where innovation is paramount and resources are often scarce, the role of an Angel investor can be instrumental in shaping the trajectory of a startup. #Network Fintech OPC's journey serves as a compelling testament to the power of strategic partnerships and the transformative impact of Angel #investment. The Genesis of Network Fintech OPC: Founded with a vision to revolutionize the financial technology landscape, Network Fintech OPC embarked on its entrepreneurial journey armed with passion, ambition, and a disruptive idea. However, like many startups, they faced the daunting challenge of securing adequate funding to turn their vision into reality. Enter the Angel Investor: Recognizing the potential of Network Fintech OPC's innovative solution, an Angel investor stepped into the picture, bringing not only financial backing but also invaluable expertise and industry connections. This partnership marked the beginning of a transformative journey for Network Fintech OPC. Fueling Growth and #Innovation: With the support of their Angel investor, Network Fintech OPC was able to accelerate its growth trajectory significantly. The infusion of capital provided the necessary runway to invest in research and development, enhance product offerings, and scale operations. Moreover, the Angel investor's guidance and mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping strategic decisions, mitigating risks, and seizing emerging opportunities. Access to Networks and Resources: Beyond financial support, the Angel investor opened doors to a vast network of contacts within the fintech ecosystem. Whether it was forging partnerships with established financial institutions, accessing key decision-makers, or tapping into new markets, Network Fintech OPC leveraged the Angel investor's connections to propel its expansion efforts forward. Building Credibility and Trust: In an industry driven by innovation and trust, the endorsement of an experienced Angel investor served as a stamp of credibility for Network Fintech OPC. This validation not only instilled confidence in potential customers and partners but also attracted further investment interest from venture capitalists and other stakeholders. The Path Ahead: As Network #Fintech OPC continues to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of fintech, the partnership with their Angel investor remains a cornerstone of their success story. Armed with a robust foundation, a clear roadmap, and unwavering determination, they are poised to redefine the future of financial technology and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. In conclusion, Network Fintech OPC's journey with an #Angel investor exemplifies the transformative potential of strategic partnerships in driving startup success.

Some interesting insights in S&P Global’s fintech funding 2023 market intelligence data. Venture capital flows into fintechs dropped 42% year over year to $35 billion. With that being said, the long drawn-out bearish cycle for startup funding may be showing signs of a bottom, as Q4 saw 472 rounds yielding $6.67 billion, compared to 481 rounds worth $5.98 billion in the previous quarter. By segment, payments remained the largest destination for VCs, drawing $14 billion of investment. Cross-border payment companies and payment orchestration and modernization companies continue to attract investors. It will be definitely interesting to see 2024’s results and trends.

How many Fintech companies today are actually fintech? The term is rampantly being used today across companies. While their front end is built to seem like a state-of-the-art technological infrastructure, the actual services involve nothing to do with technology. A closer look at the operational structures of such businesses will reveal that they are just financial companies with a façade of technology. I think since most investors today are chasing “tech,” startups find it easier to secure funding by introducing the tech angle to their pitch. In its true sense, “fintech” should add value beyond traditional financial services that are already in the market. For instance, digital transactions, single QR codes for payments across platforms, and similar services. Similar is the case with agri-tech. Just building a fancy front-end to execute the same traditional functions is not agri-tech. It will be one when the technology adds value beyond what traditional practices are doing. Else, as is the norm in any sector, we are all just manufacturers, distributors, and service providers. I believe that when we say that we bring in the “tech” into any sector, it must mean that we are innovators. Such startups must use technology to bring something new to the table. What are your thoughts on the “x-tech” startups? I look forward to hearing your opinions in the comments. #startups #fintech #business #investments

Explore how startups like Perfios, @CountryDelightIN, and others are redefining success by securing funding focusing on profitability and market fit, signalling a shift in investor priorities. #StartupFunding #Innovation #GrowthStrategy #banking #news #finance #fintech https://lnkd.in/eX8CgsrN