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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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.

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From running a humble market stall to building a career in the financial markets, this is the inspiring 45-year journey of Paul.

In this candid and never-before-told story, Paul shares:

• His working-class roots and early struggles with no university education
• How a natural talent in maths set him apart despite limited opportunities
• The mindset shift that helped him move from “just making money” to building a lasting career
• The importance of resilience, self-belief, and remembering: “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.”

This talk is proof that no matter your background, you can rewrite your story and create success in finance and beyond.

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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.

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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 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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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.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianfaes/
https://x.com/ChristianFaes
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcheung50/

Chapters

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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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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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

Tamsin Hobley https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsinhobley/

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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.

https://x.com/williamequigley
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcheung50/

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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

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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

Philippa Poole - Head of Legal, Commercial
Daniel Geller - Deputy General Counsel
Matt Cheung - Founder Work in Fintech, CEO ipushpull 

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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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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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-forward/
https://payabl.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcheung50/

Keywords

payments, fintech, payabl, omni-channel, stablecoins, central bank digital currencies, industry trends, teamwork

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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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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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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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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

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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?

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Check out our new NFT newsletter: https://futureloop.com/thefutureofnfts

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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

Highlights:

7:23 Getting ahead in web3 as a non-coder

11:15 What is the web3 on-ramp for enterprise companies (tokenisation, NFTs, data and analytics)

16:26 Web 2.5, the bridge

18:33 Vassilis talks about sales and marketing and what is GTM and sales enablement

20:52 How to build a solid foundation in your career before moving into GTM

25:34 How can generative AI, like ChatGPT and DALL-E 2, help sales and marketing

31:32 Insights and advice for people who want to get into web3

Vassilis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasileiostziokas/
Vassilis Twitter: https://twitter.com/TziokasV

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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

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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

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Check out our new NFT newsletter: https://futureloop.com/thefutureofnfts

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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.

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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.

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