Episode Summary

In this episode of the Fintech Fun podcast series, host Chris Titley sits down with Matthew Sek, Vice President for Airwallex Australia and New Zealand. Matthew shares the intriguing origin story of Airwallex, which began as a coffee shop in Melbourne facing challenges with international supplier payments. This real-world problem led to the creation of a global fintech company dedicated to providing financial solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). They discuss Airwallex's suite of products, including FX services, global payouts, corporate cards without international transaction fees, and spend management tools. The conversation highlights the increasing globalisation of SMBs, the importance of educating businesses on available financial tools, and how Airwallex is helping save time and money for its clients. Matthew also touches on the company's significant growth, the challenges of building trust in the financial sector, and shares personal insights into his work-life balance and unique hobby of frequent flyer point hacking.

Key Takeaways

00:21 – Airwallex's origin: From a Melbourne coffee shop to fintech innovation

02:06 – The importance of being a global company and trends in international business transactions

03:55 – Overview of Airwallex's product suite and prioritization

05:21 – Future plans: Introducing lending products and credit cards

06:01 – Insights from the Spend Management Report and challenges faced by SMBs

07:28 – The necessity of educating SMBs about available financial tools

09:58 – The value of time savings for SMBs and the impact on productivity

13:19 – Airwallex's growth journey and Matthew's experience within the company

14:52 – Building trust in financial services and the fintech industry

15:49 – Matthew's personal life: Balancing work with family and travel

17:38 – Hobby spotlight: Frequent flyer point hacking

19:49 – Closing remarks and final thoughts

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Episode Summary

In this episode of the Fintechfun Podcast, Chris Titley interviews Janine Grainger, founder and CEO of Easy Crypto. Janine shares the story of how Easy Crypto was founded in 2017 by her and her brother in New Zealand, aiming to simplify access to cryptocurrencies. She discusses the challenges they faced, including the regulatory landscape, rapid market changes, and the integration of new technologies. Janine also talks about the company’s growth trajectory, pivotal moments like their record-setting capital raise in 2021, and their expansion into Australia. With insights into their product development strategy and the complexities of the cryptocurrency market, Janine also delves into the importance of customer education and protection against scams. The episode provides a comprehensive look into the founding and growth of Easy Crypto and Janine’s perspectives on cryptocurrency trends and market dynamics.

Key Takeaways

00:00 Introduction to the Fintechfun Podcast

00:13 The Birth of Easy Crypto

01:13 Cryptocurrency in 2017: A New Frontier

01:36 Navigating the Early Challenges

02:43 Expansion and Growth

04:49 The Evolution of Cryptocurrency

05:34 Managing a Diverse Portfolio

07:37 Building a User-Centric Product

08:18 Market Dynamics and Trading Insights

10:01 Education and User Protection

11:29 Future Aspirations for Easy Crypto

12:21 Balancing Work and Personal Life

15:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of Fintech Fun, host Chris Titley sits down with Andrew Butt, co-founder and CEO of Enable, a leading B2B SaaS platform in the supply chain sector. Andrew shares his journey from the initial conceptualisation of Enable to becoming a globally recognised software solution, highlighting the company's unique approach to managing incentive agreements and rebates for retailers, distributors, and manufacturers. As Enable continues to expand its footprint in the Australian market, this episode delves into the company's history, growth, and future plans.

Enable has created a new software category through innovative rebate management solutions, capturing significant global market share. Andrew discusses how the company bootstrapped its way to securing initial clients and subsequently raised series A through D funding from prestigious venture capital firms like Menlo Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, and Lightspeed. He explains the role of rebates in driving revenue and margin improvement within supply chains, emphasising the vast potential and ROI Enable provides to its clients. Andrew also touches on developing AI features to enhance the platform, ensuring Enable maintains its cutting-edge position in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Emergence of Rebate Management as a Software Category: Enable is pioneering a relatively new software category focused on managing incentives and rebates within supply chains, demonstrating a significant global demand.

• Significant ROI for Clients: Enable’s platform offers substantial ROI for businesses by optimizing rebate agreements and uncovering previously untracked revenue.

• Global Expansion and Funding: Enable has successfully expanded internationally, supported by significant investment rounds from top-tier venture capital firms.

• AI Integration Plans: AI is a key focus for Enable, with plans to integrate it further into their platform to provide more substantial insights and optimization capabilities.

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The Day One NetworkFintechfun is part of Day One, the podcast network dedicated to founders, operators & investors.

To learn more, join our newsletter to be notified of new and upcoming shows. The only content we create is content that will help Australian founders.

If you want to learn about upcoming guests and when a new Fintechfun episode is available, join the Fintechfun newsletter.

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Episode Summary:

In this episode, Chris Titley is joined by Caroline Bowler, the CEO of BTC Markets, to discuss the evolution and current status of Australia's leading crypto exchange. They dive into Caroline's extensive background in traditional finance and how it has shaped her approach to driving innovative solutions in the digital assets space.

BTC Markets, which has been pioneering the Australian cryptocurrency space for over eleven years, distinguishes itself by prioritizing security and localized solutions for the Australian market. The conversation highlights BTC Markets' stability and reliability, especially during turbulent times like the FTX collapse. Caroline emphasizes the importance of staying ahead in the rapidly converging fields of traditional finance and digital assets, highlighting the role of major financial institutions in adopting blockchain technologies globally. BTC Markets continues to innovate, with plans to offer staking and expand into international markets like the UAE.

Key Takeaways:

• BTC Markets is an eleven-year-old, Australia-based cryptocurrency exchange known for its stability and trusted by early adopters.
• Caroline Bowler has a solid background in traditional finance, which she leverages to guide BTC Markets.
• There is a growing trend of traditional financial institutions adopting blockchain technology.
• BTC Markets plans to introduce staking services and explore international markets, focusing on security and tailored solutions for Australian users.
• Despite international competition, BTC Markets retains a loyal Australian customer base by understanding and meeting local market needs.

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Fintech Fun podcast series, host Chris Titley engages in an enlightening discussion with Anton Phillips-Chantelois, CFO of DelayPay, about the unique challenges and opportunities in providing financial services to the agricultural sector. Broadcasting live from New Zealand, Anton shares insightful details about DelayPay’s innovative approach to addressing the seasonal financial needs of farmers through a customized buy now, pay later platform.

Throughout the episode, Anton delves into the specifics of DelayPay's offerings, the market size, and its competitive landscape. He describes how DelayPay facilitates transactions ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 with a swift and straightforward process, emphasizing the solution's versatility and the high user retention rate among its clients. Anton also discusses the significant $16 million capital raise aimed at expanding DelayPay’s reach and enhancing its offerings. By highlighting key industry trends and potential areas for technological integration, Anton paints a comprehensive picture of the future of agricultural finance.

Key Takeaways:

• Targeted Financial Solutions: DelayPay caters specifically to farmers, addressing the unique financial gaps caused by the seasonality of the farming industry.
• Flexible Transaction Sizes: Funding options ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, with an average transaction size of $35,000, ensure that various farming needs are met promptly.
• High User Retention: With 75% of customers returning annually, DelayPay’s simplicity and reliability foster strong client loyalty.
• Rapid Funding Delivery: From application to funding, DelayPay completes transactions within 24 hours, providing immediate financial solutions for urgent opportunities.
• Strategic Capital Raise: The recent $16 million capital infusion underscores investor confidence and sets the stage for further growth and development.

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In this episode of Fintechfun, host Chris Titley speaks with Vakul Talwar, General Manager of Australia and Head of Product for Trading at Crypto.com. This insightful discussion covers Vakul's professional journey, his experiences at notable fintech companies such as General Electric, PayPal, and Afterpay, and his current initiatives at Crypto.com. Vakul elaborates on the importance of the Australian market for Crypto.com and highlights the ways the company is fostering crypto adoption locally.

The conversation delves into the burgeoning adoption of cryptocurrencies, with Vakul sharing fascinating insights on trends, market growth, and emerging products like staking and ETFs. He touches upon Crypto.com's innovative solutions, such as their integration with local merchants and stadiums to enable cryptocurrency payments. Towards the end, Vakul shares a bit about his personal life, underlining the balance between his professional responsibilities and personal interests, particularly his fondness for footy and quality time with his family.

Key Takeaways:

• Future Goals: Continued innovation and solving consumer problems remain paramount for Crypto.com as they aim to introduce new products and expand their user base in Australia.
• Professional Journey: Vakul Talwar's extensive background across global fintech companies has equipped him with unique insights and leadership skills, currently utilized at Crypto.com.
• Crypto Adoption in Australia: Australia is one of Crypto.com's key markets owing to the high interest and investment in cryptocurrencies among Australians.
• Innovative Crypto Solutions: Crypto.com's initiatives like staking, crypto payments via a Visa card, and partnerships with merchants showcase their commitment to integrating cryptocurrency seamlessly into everyday life.
• Market Trends: The approval of Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC has been a significant catalyst for retail adoption, with growing interest expected to push the global user base towards a billion consumers.

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of Fintechfun, host Chris Titley chats with Danny Pezeshki about the origins of Instantia, the challenges in the foreign exchange market, and the innovative technology they have developed to help clients manage FX volatility risk. Danny shares insights into the impact of options in the market, the launch of their platform, and their plans for expanding globally.

Danny Pezeshki discusses the importance of technology in revolutionising the way clients manage their FX portfolios and the visual tools Instantia has developed to provide clients with a better understanding of their positions. With a focus on transparency and risk management, Instantia aims to empower businesses to navigate the complexities of the foreign exchange market.

Key Takeaways:

• Instantia helps businesses manage FX volatility risk through innovative technology solutions.
• Options play a significant role in securing profits for clients in import-export industries with tight margins.
• The platform developed by Instansia offers clients visibility into their FX portfolios and allows them to assess potential risks and protections.
• Expanding globally, Instansia has obtained licenses in Singapore and aims to establish a presence in the UK.
• Technology-driven tools are crucial in enhancing client understanding and decision-making in the foreign exchange market.

Notable Quotes:

• "Clients get given position statements sent to them daily, which are very complicated to read...The ability to create that for the clients has made a huge difference so far for us." - Danny Pezeshki
• "I'm playing myself and I'm just trying to continually better myself every time...I'm not playing against anybody else." - Danny Pezeshki

Resources:

• Instantia Website

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of Fintechfun, Chris Titley chats with Anson Parker, the Chief Product Officer at Up, about his journey in the fintech industry and the evolution of Up as a leading digital banking platform. From the early days of conceptualizing a new kind of banking experience to the current focus on innovative features like “pull to save” and the upcoming subscription offering “Up High,” Anson shares insights on how Up is redefining the future of banking.

Key Themes Discussed

• Anson’s background in software development and the founding of Up.
• The importance of user feedback and balancing creativity in product development.
• The introduction of unique features like “pull to save” and “Maybuy” to enhance the banking experience.
• The upcoming subscription offering “Up High” and its potential to revolutionize banking fees and customer benefits.

Key Takeaways

• Anson’s journey from software development to reimagining the banking industry with Up.
• The focus on user-centric product development and the balance between innovation and customer feedback.
• The impact of features like “pull to save” and “Maybuy” in creating engaging and personalized banking experiences.
• The introduction of the subscription offering “Up High” as a new way to provide additional value and benefits to customers.
• The importance of transparency, collaboration, and customer engagement in shaping the future of banking.

Notable Quotes:

1. “The experience is the product. It’s not about the financial products, it’s about what those do for people and how they relate to them.” - Anson Parker
2. “Can we make something compelling enough that customers choose to pay for it? It’s effectively flipping the idea of bank fees on its head.” - Anson Parker

Resources:

• Upbank Website

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of Fintechfun, host Chris Titley delves into Jeremy Hasting's journey from the food industry to the founding of Hutly, a fintech company revolutionising real estate transactions. From tackling the challenges of property management to implementing smart contracts for more efficient processes, Jeremy shares insights on navigating the dynamic landscape of the real estate market. The discussion also touches on Hutly's strategic partnerships and plans for future growth, including the integration of new technologies and services.

Key themes explored include the impact of COVID-19 on the real estate market, the role of Hutly in streamlining real estate transactions, and the intersection of prop-tech and fintech in driving innovation and efficiency in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Hutly's inception stemmed from Jeremy's personal experiences with property management challenges and a vision to provide safe and stable homes for all individuals.
• The company's shift towards smart contracts and web-based technology has enabled a more efficient and compliant approach to real estate transactions.
• Strategic partnerships, such as the collaboration with the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV), have fueled Hutly's growth and success in the market.
• Hutly's expansion into new services like Hutly Pay showcases the company's commitment to addressing inefficiencies in real estate transactions and enhancing user experience.
• Jeremy's involvement in coaching AFL for Under Nines highlights his dedication to community engagement and fostering positive interactions beyond the business realm.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Everybody deserves a safe, stable, and certain home, no matter what their circumstances are." - Jeremy Hastings
2. "Hutly is more of a fintech company than a prop-tech, and the activation of payments on the back of our contract volume is the next step." - Jeremy Hastings
3. "We've just hired a general manager of growth and a business development manager. Now, it's time to invest in that growth." - Jeremy Hastings
4. "The strategic partnership with REIV has increased subscriber base by 47% and revenue by 26%, focusing on member-first technology." - Jeremy Hastings
5. "I feel obligated to support Melbourne Demons due to family connections and the strong community culture of AFL." - Jeremy Hastings

Resources:

• Hutly Website
• Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV)
• PropertyData.com.au
• Morningside Panthers AFL Club

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June 2024 – Vanta Fintechfun

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Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of Fintechfun, Chris Titley welcomes Lynda Coker, the innovative co-founder of Co-Operty, to discuss the evolution of her career and the inception of her groundbreaking venture. Linda offers a glimpse into her journey, detailing her transition from the structured world of corporate finance to the dynamic realm of startups.

Following her return to Australia and a trip around the world's vibrant startup hubs, Lynda sheds light on the significance of co-ownership in today's housing market. Co-Operty, her venture co-founded with Liz Rochaix, embodies a solution that grants people collaborative pathways to property ownership. Lynda describes the legal and fractional aspects of co-ownership, tenancy in common, and the importance of having flexible property investment strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• Lynda Coker's extensive background in financial services and venture investment has culminated in the launch of Co-Operty, a fintech platform aiming to make co-ownership of property straightforward and accessible.
• Co-ownership is posited as a viable solution to the housing affordability crisis, with tenancy in common providing a more flexible and protective form of property ownership.
• Co-Operty's MVP primarily targets cohorts such as flatmates, friends, family, and parents seeking to assist their children into the property market, often referred to as the 'Bank of Mum and Dad'.
• Partners such as mortgage brokers play a crucial role in Co-Operty's engagement strategy, helping inform product development tailored to the needs identified at the forefront of the housing market.
• Lynda aspires to expand Co-Operty's offering, envisioning the evolution of their MVP to address broader use cases, white-label services, and potentially the introduction of a fractional loan product.

Notable Quotes:

• "Co-ownership is a real...well, it's not the only solution, but we see it as a solution to address housing affordability." – Lynda Coker
• "I just feel like it's never been very well understood. It's not being digitized, and it's time to sort of empower it and bring it to life..." – LLynda Coker on co-ownership.
• "...it's a better way to help your children and actually help yourself or selves is not gifting the money and co-owning the property." – Lynda Coker on parents investing in property with their children.
• "We want to use this phase to really sort of test and learn." – Lynda Coker on Co-Operty's launch and beta phase.
• "One place I missed off...and I would love to go back to is the Galápagos." – Lynda Coker

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of Fintechfun possible:

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Mentioned in this episode:

June 2024 – Vanta Fintechfun

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Spotify Ad Analytics - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/ad-analytics-privacy-policy/