Climate Fintech is no longer an emerging sector
Climate Fintech is no longer an emerging sector. Startup funding has increased for Series A/B+ and is expected to grow in 2025, with Europe leading the way. Here are the highlights from CommerzVentures 2024 Climate Fintech report: ✅ Climate Fintech: prioritizes investments in technologies that reduce financial risks while restoring planet and people health. ✅ Funding Trends: […]
How local partnerships accelerate your startup’s growth and compliance
Ten years ago, I launched a new product in the US that allowed mobile banking on the go. And I use the same strategy every time I launch a new product in a new market. Proven Technique: — I partnered with local banks How it works: Step 1: I identified a local bank that understood […]
Respecting local culture is critical to build customer trust and expand business presence
A few years ago, while leading a project in Latin America, I learned a valuable lesson. We scheduled important meetings on Fridays, but no one showed up for 3 weeks straight. After a conversation with the local project manager, we learned that in Argentina and Brazil, Fridays were for soccer, not meetings. The outdated approach […]
3 decades, countless boardrooms, one truth: ACCOUNTABILITY
3 decades, countless boardrooms, one truth: “accountability” paves the way to success. In 2010, the world had just survived a major financial crisis: ➡️ Banks were on high alert. ➡️ Banks had to share a monthly report with the SEC (US Securities Exchange Commission). That report funneled up to the President of the United States. ➡️ There was a […]
Why does authenticity matter for startup leaders aspiring to grow global profits
After managing risk at some of the world’s top investment banks for 30 years, I have one strong belief → Be yourself in the workplace. In the early 2000s, I was in the room as one of the world’s largest banks sat on the brink of bankruptcy. ➡️ Would the bank exist next month? ➡️ The […]
Comprehensive guide to DEI in the workplace: 11 benefits you can’t ignore
In the city that never sleeps, where innovation is the currency and diversity the tapestry, New York’s fintech, climate tech, and insuretech leaders are racing to innovate. However, the power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in shaping resilient and vibrant workplaces is often overlooked. It’s not just a moral imperative; it’s your competitive edge. […]
The fintech COO: role, responsibilities & success strategies
Innovation and disruption are constants in fintech. Therefore, the significance of leadership roles, particularly the Chief Operating Officer (COO), becomes increasingly crucial for founders. Understanding the pivotal role of a COO can be a game-changer for your business. This article sheds light on what a COO can do for your fintech, detailing their unique responsibilities […]
How to scale a B2B business: A board director’s perspective
A B2B (business-to-business) marketplace is a completely different animal from a B2C (business-to-consumer) or a D2C (direct-to-consumer) platform. While the consumer is the ultimate end user, B2B platforms exist to facilitate transactions between middlemen. There are four essential roles within a B2B marketplace: Increasingly, and especially with purely digital products, the platform owner, producer, and […]
How do you secure Series A funding? Insights from a fundraising professional
Series A funding is a critical intermediary step in launching a company. But how do you secure Series A funding, anyway? A startup which is eligible for and receives Series A funding has a minimum viable product which it can develop further while the business undergoes further refinement. In a nutshell, Series A funding is the […]
How to scale a D2C business: A board director’s perspective
In his book The Valuation of Digital Intangibles, Prof. Roberto Moro-Visconti defines scalability as “the ability of a process, network, or system to handle a growing amount of work.” Now, you’ll get to read a board director’s take on how to scale a D2C business. The rapidity by which digital businesses can scale compared to […]
