AI is reshaping the financial services industry faster than ever—but what does that mean for subsectors like WealthTech, investing, and the future of exits?

In this recording of the Vestigo Ventures’ Future of FinTech Webinar, Frazer is joined by Vestigo Ventures’ Mark Casady, Ian Sheridan, Nick Kim, and Dave Blundin to break down:

• How AI is driving a massive transformation in WealthTech, from compliance automation to AI-augmented decision-making
• The key factors that separate winning AI startups from weaker ones—and why go-to-market strategy is now the biggest differentiator
• The latest advancements in AI infrastructure, chip development, and hyperscalers—and how they’re shaping the future of financial services
• Why 2025 could mark the long-awaited reopening of the IPO window and what it means for founders, investors, and liquidity in the venture ecosystem

From generative AI in wealth management to the next wave of exits, this conversation unpacks the biggest opportunities and risks shaping the year ahead.

What does China’s race to zero-cost energy mean for AI, automation, and the future of global business?

In this episode, Frazer and Ray discuss:

> How China’s energy strategy and AI development could reshape the future of global industries and competitive dynamics

> How automation and the rise of the "robot economy" are transforming labor markets and redefining economic power

> Why the future of AI and enterprise adoption will depend on controlling energy, data, and compute—and who’s positioned to win

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Ray Wang, a tech luminary, is the Co-Founder & Chairman of Constellation Research, a Bestselling Author, and a Keynote speaker. Renowned for his insights into digital transformation and enterprise technology, Ray's expertise stems from influential roles at Altimeter Research and Forrester Research. His bestselling books, including "Disrupting Digital Business" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," delve deep into the impact of digital technologies on business models.

Ned Koh of Aaru, Guy Assad of Clerkie, and Samir Dutta of Farsight AI sit down with David Blundin and Frazer Anderson of Vestigo Ventures at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos to share how they’re leveraging technology and AI innovation to transform industries. In this panel, they discuss:

> Where the real profits are being generated in AI systems

> Why timing is everything for entrepreneurs to seize opportunities 

> Strategies for navigating the pace of innovation in AI 

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To learn more about how Ned is predicting the world’s events with Aaru, visit its website: https://aaru.com/

To learn more about how Guy is automating the full debt life cycle at Clerkie, visit its website: https://www.clerkie.io/

To learn more about how Samir is leveraging AI agents to automate the most complex tasks in financial services with Farsight AI, visit its website: https://farsight-ai.com/

To learn more about how Dave and Frazer are accelerating the AI age in financial services at Vestigo Ventures, visit its website: https://www.vestigoventures.com/

Daniela Rus, Director of MIT's CSAIL, joins Frazer to explore the intersection of leadership, innovation, and the transformative potential of AI. 

In this episode, they discuss:

> How CSAIL has become a global leader in AI and robotics, driving breakthroughs that impact industries worldwide.

> The essential frameworks for deploying AI ethically and efficiently while building trust in intelligent machines.

> The role of visionary leadership in using AI to address challenges, inspire innovation, and shape a sustainable, tech-enabled future.

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Daniela Rus is the Director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) at MIT and the Andrew (1956) and Erna Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. A trailblazer in robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, Daniela’s groundbreaking research spans soft robotics, underwater exploration, and autonomous systems. Her innovations include printable robots that unfold into functional machines, underwater robots for coral and fish studies, and algorithms for self-driving cars. An IEEE Fellow and member of the National Academy of Engineering, Daniela has earned numerous accolades, including the Engelberger Award for robotics and the IEEE Edison Medal. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from Cornell University.

What does it take to turn a bold vision into a transformative business, especially in a complex, data-driven industry like insurance?

In this episode, Frazer and Ashwin discuss: 

> How applying first principles and balancing operational grit with strategic vision can turn complex markets into playgrounds of opportunity.

> Why product differentiation and data transparency are key to disrupting traditional markets and building scalable, impactful businesses.

> The value of leveraging technology to automate compliance processes, reduce operational friction, and unlock new growth opportunities in financial services.

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Ashwin Agarwal is the CEO & Co-Founder of Advocate, a high-growth technology company providing modern insurance operations for the commercial real estate space. Before founding Advocate in 2020, Ashwin was the lead insurance and technology investor at Elysium, the multi-billion-dollar family office of the Founder of Apollo Global Management. At Elysium, he sat on the boards of Convene, ITMA, Risk Settlements and Augustus Specialty. Prior to private equity, Ashwin worked in the TMT investment banking group at Goldman Sachs.

How can businesses leverage AI to create data-driven solutions and scale efficiently in today’s competitive FinTech environment?

In this episode, Frazer and Conor discuss:

> How AI is transforming business innovation by enabling companies to reimagine workflows, fuel growth opportunities, and expand market reach beyond mere cost-saving

> Why a strong data strategy is crucial for leveraging AI to drive precise and confident decision-making

> How generative AI is democratizing advanced technology by lowering skill barriers and making it accessible for businesses of all sizes

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Conor Twomey is an accomplished executive with over 15 years of experience in addressing complex data challenges for leading global corporations. He is currently an AI Co-Founder at Stealth Startup. Conor is the former Head of AI Strategy at KX, a pioneer in real-time data analytics and decision intelligence. Under his leadership, KX successfully transitioned from a time-series database company to the Enterprise AI platform of choice for large-scale AI implementations. Before this role, Conor managed a 400-person organization encompassing Presales, Professional Services, Support, Managed Services, and Customer Success Management. 

Renowned for his insights on data and AI, Conor is a sought-after speaker and contributor on frontier technology topics, including Data, Analytics, Machine Learning, AI, and Generative AI.

In this recording from our 2024 Annual General Meeting, Dave and Mark discuss:

• The importance of early career diversity and gathering varied experiences before specialization

• The role of technological spikes such as the PC and internet in shaping wealth creation, but the next AI-driven spike is expected to surpass previous waves significantly 

• Why you need to run hard during windows of innovation 

• AI's low barrier to entry in changing how talent and innovation are leveraged

In this recording from our 2024 Annual General Meeting, Ian Sheridan, Managing Director at Vestigo Ventures is joined by Vestigo portfolio founders in a panel on building capital-efficient businesses in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. John Cottongim, Co-Founder and CTO of Roots Automation, Jimmy Hatzell, Co-Founder and CEO of Hatz AI, and Emma Zhang, Co-Founder and CEO of PactFi, dive into the strategies they’ve implemented to achieve capital and operational efficiency at their respective startups:

• As Roots Automation matures from early-stage R&D, it now focuses on product cost efficiency and cost trends, with attention to second-level KPIs like the rate of change in pricing

• Hatz AI shortened its time to market by augmenting its engineering team with AI to write, review, and document code faster and more efficiently

• PactFi leverages larger, more established vendors as well as strategic design partners to build a trustworthy and secure platform for the large alternative asset managers in the world

In this recording from our 2024 Annual General Meeting, Mark and Charles discuss:

• The importance of deep relationships among co-founders in shaping company culture

• Technical debt is a constant concern that requires attention and balance with new features

• AI as a tool to enhance human intelligence rather than a replacement

Ever wondered how to navigate the complexities of FinTech innovation and leverage AI for your startup's success?

In this episode, Frazer and Kris discuss:

> Building and scaling FinTech startups, including strategic leverage, technology adoption, and effective partnerships with banks

> The importance of measuring and managing complexity within banking systems to drive innovation and efficiency

> The transformative potential of AI in financial services, enhancing customer experiences and streamlining processes

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Kris Hansen is the CTO at Sagard. His extensive background includes a mix of technology startups and banking and payments architecture roles. Previously, Kris was the CTO and Co-Founder at Synctera, a bank-as-a-service marketplace connecting community banks and consumer-facing Fintech firms. He also served as the Chief Technology Officer at KOHO Financial, Canada’s leading challenger bank, and at Portage Ventures, a Fintech-focused venture capital firm. Before these roles, he was the Head of Solution Architecture at the Royal Bank of Canada and the Chief Architect at ATB Financial. Early in his career, Kris created one of the first internet service providers in Canada and established one of the largest Hawaiian professional services firms. Additionally, through his angel investment company 4Utopia Inc., Kris is a pre-seed angel investor and advisor for high-potential technology companies.