In this episode of the Fintech Fun podcast, Chris Titley chats with Michael Ragavan, founder of Our Leg Up, a revolutionary financial service aiming to tackle wealth inequality by making homeownership more accessible. Michael shares how Our Leg Up enables aspiring homeowners to purchase properties with just a 5% deposit, eliminating the need for lenders' mortgage insurance and providing competitive interest rates.

He discusses the platform’s unique partnership model that connects equity-rich investors, banks, and aspiring homeowners, all while mitigating financial risks. Michael also touches on the challenges of educating the market, the role of partnerships in scaling, and the company’s global aspirations. Tune in to hear how Michael’s innovative approach is redefining the Australian dream of homeownership and how AI is playing a role in streamlining the process.

00:00 - 00:17: Introduction and Michael’s live check-in from Mexico.

00:17 - 01:07: Origins of Our Leg Up – Tackling wealth inequality and barriers to homeownership.

01:07 - 01:47: The changing landscape of the Australian dream and how Our Leg Up fits in.

01:47 - 02:48: The unique partnership model connecting investors, banks, and aspiring homeowners.

02:48 - 03:25: Investor benefits and how returns are structured.

03:25 - 04:26: Geographic reach and the potential for global expansion.

04:26 - 05:43: Risk mitigation and preparedness for economic shocks.

05:43 - 06:41: Building and scaling the business with a lean team.

06:41 - 07:57: Scaling through partnerships and educating the market.

07:57 - 08:48: Leveraging AI for customer support, risk assessment, and productivity.

08:48 - 11:02: Personal interests: Soccer, drumming, and FIFA on PlayStation.

11:02 - 11:46: Looking ahead: Plans to support 50-100 property purchases in 2025.

11:46 - 12:23: Funding milestones and goals for growth in 2025.

Our Leg Up: Platform enabling aspiring homeowners to purchase property with a 5% deposit.

AI in Financial Services: Used for risk assessment, customer support, and secondary analysis.

Basel III Framework: Underpinning the scalability of Our Leg Up across 100+ countries.

Carnatic Drums: Michael’s early foray into music and stress relief.

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June 2024 – Vanta Fintechfun

In this episode of the FinTech Fun podcast, Chris Titley interviews Jamie Twiss, CEO of Before Pay Group. Jamie dives into Beforepay’s innovative approach to short-term lending and its mission-driven model that offers Australians a transparent, ethical alternative to predatory payday loans. He also discusses the company’s enterprise software arm, Carrington Labs, and its expansion into the U.S. market. Jamie shares insights on the role of AI and machine learning in credit decisions, the challenges of scaling automation, and how Beforepay has become a lifeline for Australians facing unexpected expenses. Tune in for a mix of fintech innovation, personal stories, and a touch of Russian literature!

00:00 - 01:28: Introduction and Beforepay 101 – How it started and its two business arms.

01:28 - 02:52: Addressing small, short-term financial needs with a mission-driven model.

02:52 - 03:53: Automated processes and personalized repayment schedules.

03:53 - 05:46: Managing credit risk ethically and balancing profitability.

05:46 - 07:27: Customer insights: Coping with inflation and the spectrum of financial needs.

07:27 - 09:41: Carrington Labs – Expansion into the U.S. and global opportunities.

09:41 - 11:03: Launching new personal loan products and their market impact.

11:03 - 14:25: Using AI and machine learning to enhance credit decision-making.

14:25 - 16:00: Jamie’s personal interests – From Russian literature to marathon running.

Beforepay App: Offering quick, short-term pay advance solutions with a flat 5% fee.

Carrington Labs: Enterprise software arm licensing advanced credit decision-making tools.

Russian Literature: Jamie's passion for classics that explore the human experience.

Sydney Marathon: Jamie’s yearly running challenge.

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June 2024 – Vanta Fintechfun

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.

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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June 2024 – Vanta Fintechfun