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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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

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.

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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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.

• 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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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.

• 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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June 2024 – Vanta Fintechfun

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.

• 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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June 2024 – Vanta Fintechfun

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.

• 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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June 2024 – Vanta Fintechfun