Calypso Harland’s Post

🙏Thank you to Gerd Weissenboeck and Zelig Technology along with Ali Ramadan and Goodwin for hosting yesterday's "Fintech in Focus" panel discussion along with Kara Byun, Head of Fintech and Venture Investments, HSBC, Lucile CORNET Partner at Eight Roads, and Adam Battersby, Partner at Apis Partners. 🔑 My key takeaways (panel feel free to factcheck!) ⭐️ 2023 was a funding wasteland with high valuations as a hang over from post covid recovery hindering companies getting new investors in. ⭐️ "Good" companies still got funded, but valuations needed to be 'reset' to more realistic pre-covid norms. ⭐️ Investible companies demonstrate a solid grip on their financials, namely growth rate and also a manageable burn rate. High burn rate = investor flight. ⭐️ 'Structured rounds' where new investors are incentivised with preferential treatment over existing investors are to be avoided - it annoys original investors / management who typically now get a worse deal and it makes analysis of an exit painful. "It needs to be the last time you ask for money if you do this" ⭐️ Don't hide your problems as this weakens trust - be upfront about them and how you have a plan to manage / improve. ⭐️ VCs are still skewing toward later stage Series A / B rounds, with expected returns of 3-5x investment, with 5-10 year runways (although can be as low as 4). ⭐️ VCs don't invest without an existing relationship - so even if you are early (not yet generating £10m ARR) it is still worth starting to build relationships now, as trust in team takes months to build ("It could be a 10 year relationship you have to trust each other" - Adam Battersby). My personal takeaway is - I need to go to more events! The relationships you can initiate in person are dramatically better than through zoom calls. Thanks again to all speakers and look forward to continuing the dialogue 😊 #fintech #investment #innovation

🎟️ Want to dive into the #FutureofFinance with industry trailblazers? 🚀 I've got a few FINAL tickets left to give away to our next event! Let me know if you want them before they get snapped up... 👀 Join us on March 20th for an exclusive event featuring Lightyear's Martin Sokk & Shares's Harjas SINGH, former Wise and Revolut execs turned fintech founders! 💼 Here's what's in store: • Learn from the best in UK fintech on March 20th in Spitalfields London! • Discover how Shares Community-first UI is reshaping investing experiences • Explore Lightyear's groundbreaking fee-free investing model • Gain insights on acquiring, engaging, and retaining individual investors from industry leaders • Network with like-minded professionals shaping the future of finance. Excited to have these two in a room - We'll be picking their brains on how financial services and fintechs can better acquire, engage and retain individual investors. 👉 I'm planning a lot more exciting discussions just like this in 2024 💥 so let me know if want us at Finimize to feature your brand or CEO in our future of finance series!

Wil Suthers and I are presenting at FinTech West's Annual Conference tomorrow on what we've been doing to help build the #FinTech ecosystem here on the South Coast. And there's one key point we'll be making... We don't see the steering group as a steering group - and yes I know that sounds weird as I type it. Instead, we view it as a new startup. Over the last 10 months, we have launched our MVP, gained customer feedback through events and other activities, and regularly iterated on the offering and the impact we seek to deliver. And each member of the steering group isn't just a member. They have specific roles including marketing, operations, comms, sales, stakeholder engagement, finance etc. Just like a regular startup. This makes us much more effective as it gives each of us specific responsibilities and accountability. So how is it going? We'll give you the update at the conference and I'll share the highlights afterwards on LI.

🤓 As a real nerd for AI-implementation, I wanted to share some learnings from the Proof of Concept we conducted with Accend (YC S23) and Pleo this year together with the fantastic team Pranjal Daga, Joseph Tianshi Zhou, Roshni Bharadwaj and nudge you to meet the fantastic team behind Accend this week at Money20/20. 1️⃣ Problem Scoping: We set out by noticing that proof of business collection is 🥱 boring ⌛️ time-consuming   💻 and just not very techie ... 2️⃣ Problem Definition: We went out to collect some metrics around how long this process takes, the teaks and links we need to click. 📊 3️⃣ Target: And then we defined a clear goal and set of decision criteria to conduct a PoC If you want to meet a truly AI and human first company, you should sign up to their breakfast here 👇 #money20/20 #fintech #ai #enablement

Fintech Fairytale (E20)…A bird in the hand… Torben wasn’t just any CEO, he had BIG ambitions. He dreamed of building an empire and, like most empire-builders, he believed that to get there, he needed to be in the right rooms, talking to the right people. 💼 So, Torben spent his days chasing after the biggest names in the business. Whether it was attending exclusive CEO breakfasts, flying to high-profile summits, or sliding into the DMs of Fortune 500 executives, he was always looking for that one magical conversation that would take his company to the next level. ✈️☕ But while Torben was busy trying to schedule lunch with the “big guys,” something funny was happening back at HQ. His team was working around the clock, innovating, collaborating, and driving the company forward—without the fancy titles or big platforms. They were the real engines behind Torben’s vision, making things happen every single day. One day, Torben’s trusted advisor pulled him aside and said, “Torben, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. You’re so busy chasing big names, you’re forgetting the people who are already here, building your dream with you!” 🐦 Torben paused. He realized he’d been so caught up in rubbing elbows with famous CEOs that he’d lost sight of the true champions, the ones right beside him, working tirelessly to make his vision a reality. And from that day forward, while Torben still loved a good networking event (who doesn’t?), he made sure to spend just as much time appreciating and investing in the real stars of his network: his team, his partners, and the people who had been there from day one. 🌟 So, here’s to all the Torbens out there: remember, sometimes the biggest impact comes not from the big names, but from the everyday heroes already in your corner. #Leadership #Networking #Teamwork #Gratitude #Fintech #GrowthMindset

🚀 Find ATB Ventures at Platform Calgary for Innovation Week starting today! As Fintech innovators, we’re excited to join other industry leaders, pioneers, and thought leaders in exploring the latest advancements in finance and tech! 🎤 Catch the Head of Ventures, Azim Esmail as he takes the stage on November 19th to share insights on the future of Fintech and how we’re tackling today’s biggest challenges in the financial landscape. Stay tuned for updates throughout the week, and don’t miss Azim’s session if you’re attending! Let’s connect, learn, and innovate together. 💡 #InnovationWeekYYC #PlatformCalgary #Fintech #Networking #CalgaryTech #PlatformCalgary

This year's 🇪🇺 Europe’s Rising 100 report by Sifted and Sapphire Ventures not only highlights Europe’s resurgence but showcases the defining trends shaping the B2B SaaS landscape – from the rise of GenAI to the rebound in fintech. It's a testament to the market’s resilience and innovation, with companies like Finom and Fintecture at the forefront of this exciting wave 🚀. 💻 Launched in 2019 by Andrew, Oleg, Kos, and Yakov, Finom is on a mission to empower entrepreneurs, helping businesses focus on what truly matters – their business, values, and products – with cutting-edge IT solutions. 🏦 Since 2018, Faysal, Anjan, Reda and the whole team at Fintecture have been revolutionizing bank transfers, making them faster, simpler, and more secure, while also boosting revenue potential for businesses. See who made the list in the comments below 👇

🚀✨BIG DAY FOR ACCEND - Absolutely thrilled to announce Accend (YC S23)'s game-changing partnership with Pleo, the largest and most trusted spend management solution in Europe! 🚀✨ 🙌💡After a highly competitive proof of concept (POC) phase, where we went head-to-head with other top players in our field, we are incredibly proud to have earned the trust and confidence of Pleo. Their decision to choose us speaks volumes about the innovative solutions we bring to the table. 🌍💳 Pleo, a pioneer in smart business spending solutions, is transforming how companies handle expenses with their seamless and intuitive platform. Being the biggest spend management player in Europe, their endorsement marks a significant milestone for us, showcasing our commitment to excellence and innovation in AI technology. 🔄🤝Working with the Pleo team has been an enlightening journey. We've gained invaluable insights and are now excited to revolutionize their AI-driven onboarding process. This collaboration is set to redefine the standards of financial technology, and we are honored to contribute to this transformative venture. 🌟👏 A special shoutout to Hannah Becher, a true force of nature, leading the charge in AI adoption within the finance sector. Your vision and leadership are inspiring, and we are honored to be part of this journey with you. Here’s to a successful partnership and to transforming the future of financial technology together! 💡🚀 🙌🙏 Dan Jacobson Roshni Bharadwaj Patrick Prendergast Yutong Pei Joseph Tianshi Zhou Kevin Bishop #AI #Fintech #Money2020 #Announcement #CustomerSuccess #Pleo #YCombinator #Partnership #Innovation #StartupJourney #Grateful

If you’ll be in Vegas next week for #FintechMeetup, be sure to catch Hans Tung at 10 a.m. PST Monday when he shares his views on how fintech is changing the role of the CFO—and the potential that he sees in a modern software stack. #CFOs #fintech

🚀 You Can't Miss This Exclusive Finimize Event: Unlock the Future of Fintech If you're working in product/marketing at a fintech, you can't miss this. Please sign up in the comments 👇 Join us for a groundbreaking session with Lightyear's co-founder Martin Sokk and Shares' co-founder Harjas SINGH, two of the UK's most visionary fintech founders. With their roots in Wise and Revolut, they're now leading the charge in crafting Europe's most user-focused investment platforms. This is your chance to dive deep into the minds shaping the future of fintech. 🔹 Shares is redefining investing with a community-first approach, prioritizing education and engagement to empower new investors. Discover the strategy that's opening up new markets and making investing accessible to all. 🔹 Lightyear is setting the new standard with its transparent pricing model - just 0.35% on FX, no execution fees on ETFs, and unbeatable interest rates on cash. They're expanding the horizons of investing across Europe, making financial growth accessible to everyone. 💡 Exclusive Insights: Learning from the Best This event isn't just about networking; it's a rare opportunity to gain firsthand insights from the forefront of financial innovation. We'll explore how fintechs can enhance customer acquisition, engagement, and retention, straight from the pioneers of the industry. 🌱 Growing Together: Finimize for Business As Finimize for Business flourishes, we're thrilled to see a vibrant community of industry professionals gathering around our events and content. It's a throwback to the early, exciting days of Finimize, and it's only getting better. 📅 Mark Your Calendar: March 20th, Spitalfields London This intimate event, limited to 50 participants, promises an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the brightest minds in fintech. Whether you're in product, marketing, or simply fascinated by fintech, this is where you need to be. 🤝 Join Us: Elevate Your Brand Interested in showcasing your brand or CEO in our Future of Finance series? Let's talk. This is your chance to shine in the fintech spotlight. 👇 Secure Your Spot Don't miss out on this exclusive fintech rendezvous. Sign up in the comments below and be part of the conversation shaping the future of finance.