In this episode Koen is joined by  Sylvie Vandevelde from Isabel to discuss how the company has evolved over three decades into a cornerstone of Belgium’s banking ecosystem. They explore how Isabel’s latest platform, "Kube," is transforming corporate data exchange by streamlining KYC processes with a digital passport that allows businesses to share verified information across banks. 

Sylvie highlights Isabel's pragmatic approach to technology, moving beyond blockchain hype to focus on enhancing client experiences. Looking ahead, Isabel plans to expand Kube to include ESG data, offering businesses competitive advantages in tenders and recruitment. Tune in to hear more about how Isabel’s thoughtful innovation is shaping the future of finance. 

After three decades of innovation, Isabel continues to prove that sometimes the most valuable financial solutions come not from disruption but from thoughtful collaboration.

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In this episode Koen is joined by Robert Masse from Paynovate who discusses how Paynovate has built a comprehensive payment service, offering everything from card issuing to open banking, and how their EMI license from the National Bank of Belgium positions them as a trusted player in the industry.

Paynovate’s scalable, risk-based compliance model allows them to onboard customers often rejected by traditional financial institutions, using processes like the 4-8 eyes principles and third-party verification for secure onboarding. With 15% market share in Belgian payment terminals, they are expanding internationally and offering a range of services through their Exospend platform, including corporate expense management, IBAN accounts, cards, and white-label solutions, with compliance flexibility being a core element of their value proposition.

Looking ahead, Paynovate plans to maintain its comprehensive service model while expanding into the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and North America. They are also preparing to launch stablecoin capabilities soon, marking an exciting new chapter for their platform.

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In this episode Koen is joined by Klaas Van Imschoot from Regnology, a company that has evolved from a regional player to a European leader in regulatory technology, with plans to become a global champion. Klaas shares the company’s journey, including their pivotal acquisition of b.fine in 2022, which modernized Regnology’s front-end offering and propelled them to the forefront of regulatory technology.

Regnology’s unique approach to regulatory compliance involves shifting from a traditional reporting platform to a dynamic data platform, reducing the impact of regulatory changes on financial institutions. This innovative model, coupled with their granular data approach and cloud-native platform, has earned them the Regulatory Reporting Product of the Year Award twice.

With significant funding from CPP in December 2024, Regnology is now poised for global expansion. Their partnership with Google Cloud supports optimal deployment, enabling advanced AI initiatives, including regulatory chatbots. Looking ahead, Klaas discusses the company’s vision to enhance communication between regulators and banks and move towards real-time supervision, rather than relying on traditional monthly or quarterly reporting.

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In this episode Koen is joined by Pierre Nemeth from Sopiad, to explore how their innovative fintech company is restoring investor trust and helping financial institutions comply with regulations. He shares the story behind Sopiad’s creation, which stemmed from four years of academic research at LCC Liège, culminating in the launch of the company in 2021. They discuss the gaps in the financial industry, particularly the lack of personalized financial products and the need for better educational frameworks.

Pierre introduces SAFIR, Sopiad's flagship solution: a personalized portfolio diagnostic tool that evaluates portfolio alignment with individual risk profiles and ESG preferences. This client-centric approach serves financial advisors and portfolio managers, enabling them to create personalized portfolios at scale. Additionally, Sopiad offers an AI-powered storytelling module that simplifies complex analytics into easy-to-understand narratives for investors, enhancing financial literacy.

As the company looks to the future, Pierre also discusses their vision for even more personalized investment products, gamified financial literacy, and enhanced transparency in financial services.

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In this episode, Koen is joined by Philippe De Prez from Simont Braun law firm to dive into the evolving regulatory landscape of European fintech. They discuss the latest developments in key regulations such as FIDA, PSD3, and PSR, and explore how the regulatory pendulum is swinging toward a more balanced approach, rather than a shift toward deregulation.

Philippe sheds light on the European Commission’s 2025 work program and explains how the emphasis is shifting from directives to regulations, creating a more unified European market and preventing “gold plating.” The conversation also touches on how the upcoming AI Act will introduce a risk-based approach to AI regulation, affecting financial services without creating finance-specific rules.

They explore the growing role of AI across the front, middle, and back offices in financial institutions and how fintechs can navigate this evolving landscape. With Philippe highlighting why traditional financial institutions may have a competitive edge in the coming era of AI regulation, thanks to their extensive experience with complex regulatory frameworks.

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In this episode Koen is joined by Tom Van Asbroeck from SevenYoken to explore how autonomous AI is transforming the accounting industry. SevenYoken’s groundbreaking technology compresses days of accounting work into mere minutes, delivering comprehensive financial reports and actionable insights.

Tom explains how SevenYoken has evolved from creating a "certified autonomous bookkeeper" to developing a full-fledged Digital Financial Officer (DFO). This digital persona not only processes transactions and interprets balance sheets but also offers professional opinions and follow-up questions, bridging the trust gap with users. Their technology is a game-changer, delivering value to businesses of all sizes by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing compliance, and empowering decision-making. And as Tom puts it, “We’re not just creating tools; we’re reshaping the way businesses interact with their finances.”

To learn more about SevenYoken's accounting solutions or their new e-invoicing platform, visit their website or contact them directly for customized solutions to streamline your financial operations

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In this episode Koen is joined by Renaud Winand from Basikon to explore how modern lending and leasing technology is transforming financial services. With flexibility and integration now at the core of the industry, Basikon is leading the charge to reshape financial operations through their revolutionary, adaptable platform. Founded by industry veterans who experienced the shortcomings of legacy systems, Basikon takes a refreshingly innovative approach. Their API-first architecture and embedded workflows enable financial institutions to move past operational rigidity while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.

Renaud discusses the contrast between implementing their solutions for greenfield startups and established institutions. Startups benefit from rapid deployment and streamlined processes, while established players face challenges in change management—often needing to shed outdated, non-differentiated processes to embrace simplicity. Their guiding principle? "Keep it stupidly simple." Their conversation also delves into broader trends shaping the financial landscape. Topics include the rise of embedded finance, AI’s impact on credit decisioning, and the shift toward real-time lending. Renaud even challenges the belief that complex products like mortgages can't be simplified, proposing that decision-making processes across financial services can and should be accelerated.

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In this episode Koen is joined by Dorian Pacquet from Approach Cyber to  discuss how their company supports fintechs in tackling cybersecurity challenges, from integrating security into software development to navigating complex regulatory landscapes.

Dorian sheds light on the evolving cyber threats facing the fintech ecosystem, emphasizing the critical role of AI in enhancing security tools such as code generation, vulnerability scanning, and remediation. He also highlights the increasing importance of robust data protection strategies as organizations, regardless of size, grapple with compliance requirements.

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In this episode Koen is joined by Lode Vermeersch, Head of AREA42. He shares how this innovation hub within Credendo is revolutionizing B2B trade finance. By offering flexible working capital solutions, AREA42 is making digital trade more accessible and user-friendly for businesses worldwide.

Their conversation addresses how AREA42 bridges the gap between traditional credit insurance and modern financial needs. While credit insurance protects sellers from unpaid invoices, AREA42 goes further by streamlining working capital solutions tailored to the digital B2B landscape. Their approach addresses challenges like the upfront payment requirements of digital marketplaces, offering flexible alternatives to traditional trade credit terms.

They also highlight key learnings, such as the importance of adopting a problem-first innovation approach and the ongoing challenge of balancing corporate stability with startup agility. "Any company in the world, especially in the European Economic Area, we can help you. Whatever your working capital problem, come to us, and we will find a solution."

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In this episode Koen is joined by Peter Vermaercke from InThePocket to explore how AI agents are transforming financial services by automating tasks traditionally handled by people and enabling new possibilities for the industry.

Peter discusses how banks must adapt their strategies as smaller, more agile fintechs use AI to gain competitive advantages. As well as the rapid pace of AI development makes waiting a risky strategy, with issues like hallucinations and high operational costs remaining significant hurdles. The conversation also underscores the critical role of well-structured data for effective AI implementation, while highlighting how future models are improving at working with unstructured information.

For any questions about implementing AI and agents in your financial organization, reach out to In The Pocket's cross-disciplinary team that brings together design, technology, and strategy.

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