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My Take on the 5 Fintech Innovations Actually Changing the Game (And What Most Pundits Get Wrong)

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My Take on the 5 Fintech Innovations Actually Changing the Game (And What Most Pundits Get Wrong) Let's be honest with each other. The term "fintech" gets thrown around so much it’s almost lost its meaning. Every year, a new wave of buzzwords crashes onto the scene—DeFi, BaaS, AI—and most of it is just noise. I’ve been in this space for over a decade, building and advising companies from scrappy startups to established players, and I’ve seen countless "revolutions" fizzle out. I remember a project back in 2015. We were trying to build a "smart" budgeting tool for a regional bank. The "AI" was basically a glorified series of if/then statements. It was clunky, expensive, and ultimately, didn't provide much real value. We celebrated when it correctly categorized a coffee purchase. That was the peak. Today, the landscape is fundamentally different. The fintech innovations that matter aren't just shiny new apps; they are deep, infrastr...

I've Sat in 1,000 Pitch Meetings. Here Are the Startup Funding Trends & Fintech Innovations Actually Getting Checks Written in 2024.

Important Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Consult healthcare providers before making health-related decisions. I've Sat in 1,000 Pitch Meetings. Here Are the Startup Funding Trends & Fintech Innovations Actually Getting Checks Written in 2024. Let me tell you about two meetings. The first was in mid-2021. A founder, brilliant and energetic, presented a deck where the hockey-stick growth chart for user sign-ups went nearly vertical. When an investor asked about unit economics, the founder confidently replied, "We'll figure out monetization after we capture the market." The room nodded. The company closed a $50 million Series B two weeks later. The second meeting was last month. A founder, equally brilliant, presented a similar product. The very first question, before anyone even got to the product demo, was, "Walk me through your path to default alive. When do you become cas...