Shows
Pour OverDeferred's Judd Schoenholtz on Scaling, Velocity as a Moat, and more Startup Truths for Today’s FoundersWhy Deferred Exists: Judd explains how he discovered the world of 1031 exchanges and why he and his co-founders saw an opportunity to modernize it.Flipping the Revenue Model: Deferred chose a no-fee approach, shaking up the standard where legacy intermediaries charged fees and quietly profited on customer funds.Building with Three Co-Founders: Hear how the trio now divides responsibilities. Each operates with autonomy in their lane, but with collaboration as a force multiplier rather than a bottleneck.Startup Truths: Why questions centered heavily on acquisitions and exits, despite them being only a small...
2025-09-0846 min
FIKA Friday At the OfficeWhy Balance is Essential?Hello Friends,Welcome back to FIKA Friday At the Office. In this episode, I catch up with Sabine Spoelstra, Global Program Manager - Workplace and Real Estate at Adyen, Fintech giant from The Netherlands.In this insightful conversation, Sabine shares her perspectives on creating localized workplace experiences across different cultures while maintaining Adyen's distinctive identity. She discusses how the pandemic accelerated technological adoption and transformed workplace expectations, while emphasizing the enduring importance of physical office spaces for social connection.Here are my Top 6 key takeaways:Key Takeaways:1. Balance is...
2025-03-0730 min
The LaundryE78: The financial crime risks of Sweden’s cashless society dreamSweden is the global poster-child of the journey to completely digital transactions – with the number of Swedes using cash falling from 39% in 2010 to just 9% in 2020. But; does a cashless society offer only benefits, or do we need to consider the financial crime risks this creates – as well as those it stops?In the latest episode of The Laundry – our expert host, Fredrik Riiser is joined by Kajsa Nordborg, Head of AML at Loomis.The panel discuss: how global wars and cyber-terrorism can leave digital systems vulnerable to disruption, the groups which rely...
2024-03-1424 min
AAAIM High ELIEva Ho, General Partner, Fika Ventures, "My Path to becoming an early stage tech focused Venture Capitalist"Our guest for today's podcast is Eva Ho, General Partner of Fika Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm that invests in founders solving meaningful, systemic problems through the use of data, related AI-enabled technologies, and automation. While this horizontal thesis allows Fika Ventures to be fairly sector agnostic, the firm is especially drawn to innovations in enterprise software, fintech, marketplaces, and digital health. Fika is investing out of their Fund III and has committed capital of over $300 million life to date. Prior to Fika, Eva was a founding GP at Susa Ventures. She is a...
2024-01-1057 min
The Real Maxime PodcastEric Schneider, AKKO - The Fintech SeriesIn this episode, we are joined by Eric Schneider, co-Founder and co-CEO of AKKO, a Fintech company backed by Fika Ventures, Mundi Ventures and Pear VC (the investors behind DoorDash, Gusto, and Policygenius) that offers straightforward, affordable electronic device insurance. Akko’s digital-first approach eliminates the need for cumbersome paperwork and lengthy resolution, providing customers with a hassle-free experience. They've revolutionized the device insurance workflow to prioritize a seamless end-user experience. Tune in as we delve into Eric’s journey from starting as a jet engine engineer at GE to venture investing, and discuss the specifics of device insurance unde...
2023-10-261h 01
CHURN FMEP 199 - John Chen (Fika Ventures) Starting with Zero — Lessons in Finding Product Market FitToday on the show we have John Chen, partner at Fika Ventures.In this episode, we discussed the operations of Fika Ventures, a pre-Series A fund focused on B2B software, FinTech, and marketplaces. John emphasized the importance of building close relationships with founders and shares his views on the crucial role of culture and alignment in building a successful company. We also examined the common misconception that the Product Led Growth (PLG) approach applies to all products, which often results in the misapplication of the organic growth concept.We then dove into...
2023-06-1433 min
The Capital StackTX Zhuo of Fika Ventures on the Fintech Evolution in SaaS and Seed Portfolio ConstructionsThis week I am interviewing my friend and fellow board member TX Zhuo of Fika Ventures. We go into detail about speaking about the importance of fintech in emerging software applications as well as how to properly construct a seed portfolio. An entrepreneur at heart, TX has been involved with startups since his college days where he started then successfully sold an online college textbook marketplace. After a stint at McKinsey where he was a core member of their financial services and consumer goods practices, he came back to his roots and served as the CFO for an e...
2023-01-2430 min
Wharton FinTech PodcastTX Zhuo & Gabriella Brignardello, Fika Ventures - Supporting founders with elevated visionsTarang Gupta hosts TX Zhuo, General Partner, and Gabriella Brignardello, Vice President at Fika Ventures, a seed-fund investing in fintech, enterprise software, and marketplaces.
In this episode you will hear about:
- Fika Ventures' manifesto of "whole stories, not headlines"
- How to be an effective investor
- Interesting startups that Fika has invested in
- Segments that TX and Gabriella believe will drive the growth of fintech
And much more!
About Gabriella Brignardello
Gabriella began her career at EY-Parthenon. After three years in consulting, she transitioned to a venture role at WndrCo, a consumer technology holding company, before joining...
2023-01-2437 min
The Full Ratchet (TFR): Venture Capital and Startup Investing Demystified316. Fika's Playbook for Success, Finding Value Outside of Central Casting, and the Future of Fintech as Banks Get Unbundled (TX Zhuo) DAO Infrastructure
2022-01-1750 min
Fintech FikaEp15: Dispelling the myths: cloud and regulationOn this episode, Tim Tyler and Christopher Papathanassi are joined by Dave Dadoun from Microsoft. Dave is Managing Director, Global Regulatory Compliance for Worldwide Financial Services. The perfect person to drop in and have a chat about regulation and cloud, and hopefully dispel some of the myths – if indeed they are myths – that can create a fog in our thinking.
2021-06-0931 minFintech FikaEp14: Wearables to IoT: Emperor's New Clothes?On this episode, Chris Papathanassi and Tim Tyler talk about Wearables and the Internet of Things, and their potential within financial services: can we really take advantage of them or will it be a case of the Emperor’s new clothes?
Fintech Fika is recorded live every Wednesday on the Finastra LinkedIn Live channel, so find us there to join the conversation, or search #fintechfika.
2021-05-2630 minFintech FikaEp13: Is insurance becoming the blueprint for innovation in finance?Christopher Papathanassi and Tim Tyler are joined by special guest Phil McGriskin, the CEO of payment service provider Vitesse. Vitesse currently focus on servicing the payments demands of the insurance sector, and Phil issued the challenge that insurance companies are showing corporate banks how to innovate. We talk through how insurtech is helping the insurance industry to modernise, and what some of the drivers behind change are.
Fintech Fika is broadcast live every Wednesday on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, so find us there to join the conversation, or search #FintechFika.
2021-05-1931 minFintech FikaEp12: Tech - a matchmaker made in heaven?This episode, in response to the news about the break up of a tech giant, Christopher Papathanassi and Tim Tyler are talking about whether technology is the best form of matchmaker, and if so – what can banks bring to the table?
Fintech Fika is broadcast live every Wednesday on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, so find us there to join the conversation, or search #FintechFika.
2021-05-1229 minFintech FikaEp11: BigTech versus FinTech - Sleeves up for a fight or ready to collaborate?In this episode, Christopher Papathanassi and Tim Tyler talk about “BigTech versus FinTech: Sleeves up for a fight or ready to collaborate?”.
As we witness the never ending growth of BigTech, do we see them venturing further and further in to financial services? If so, should they be subject to the same “too big to fail” protection as some banks seem to have, and therefore treated as a utility and heavily regulated?
Fintech Fika is live every week at 12 noon (UK) on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, and available on audio shortly after.
2021-05-0528 minFintech FikaEp10: Can a good relationship excuse bad service?This week, Chris and Tim are joined by Sean Duffy, former managing director with Barclays Corporate Banking, to talk relationships. Can a good relationship make up for bad service? Do we even need relationship managers any more, or are they an outdated mode of engagement? What change is technology bringing? Is change coming fast enough, or is it coming too fast?
Fintech Fika is live every week at 12 noon (UK) on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, and available on audio shortly after.
2021-04-2830 minFintech FikaEp9: Banks - what can you learn from space?After a last minute pivot, Chris and Tim are talking about what banks could learn from space. Not in terms of looking to the stars and hoping for inspiration – although that could be an option – but rather what is happening out in space and on planet Earth with regards to space technology, or space tech, and what are some of the learnings that we could use within the banking industry?
Fintech Fika is live every week at 12 noon (UK) on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, and available on audio shortly after.
2021-04-2130 minFintech FikaEp8: Does Alexa need access? The rise of digital assistants.Tim and his guest host, Carlos Teixeira, are talking about the rise of digital assistants, and whether Alexa and her ilk really need access? Are we comfortable sharing enterprise data with public cloud platforms? What route does our data travel over to get from our bank to our voice assistant, and how crucial context is.
Fintech Fika is live every week at 12 noon (UK) on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, and available on audio shortly after.
2021-04-1429 minFintech FikaEp7: 404 Not Found - Are corporate banks delivering what their clients want?Chris and Tim talk about whether corporate banks are delivering for their customers. They discuss whether banks service what customers need, but perhaps not what their customers want. Plus, what is the entry point for this – are marketplaces the way forward, and are banks best placed to use them?
Fintech Fika is live every week at 12 noon (UK) on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, and available on audio shortly after.
2021-04-0729 minFintech FikaEp6: How do you build trust in banking?This time, Chris and Tim talk about the issue of trust, and what this means for banks. Indeed, what do we even mean by trust – from trust in security through to trust in delivery and execution? Plus, how is trust perceived differently from retail banks to corporate banks.
Fintech Fika is live every week at 12 noon (UK) on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, and available on audio shortly after.
2021-04-0328 minFintech FikaEp5: Can you predict the future with data?In this episode, recorded just before the start of the new grand prix season, Chris and Tim were joined by Richard Price from TIBCO, to talk all things data, and what banks could learn from motor sport teams. Data volume, variety and velocity were all touched upon, plus the culture that is required to succeed.
Fintech Fika is live every week at 12 noon (UK) on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, and available on audio shortly after.
2021-04-0329 minFintech FikaEp4: Why is relationship management changing in banks?Chris and Tim are joined by Pablo Vergara from HUBX to discuss the finding of a recent report that highlights the declining priority of relationship management within corporate banks. Are they racing towards greater disintermediation, or do they have a plan for improving customer retention. Plus, what does this mean for their clients, as banks engage on a journey to management from a distance.
Fintech Fika is live every week at 12 noon (UK) on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, and available on audio shortly after.
2021-04-0328 minFintech FikaEp3: Accelerating through changeIn this episode, Chris Paps and Tim Tyler discuss some of the main points raised in the plenaries at Finastra's annual conference - Finastra Universe, where the main theme was "accelerating through change". From licence holders, to distributors, to brands, plus banking as a service. And don’t forget, if you want your opinion to be heard, make sure to use #FintechFika.
Fintech Fika is live every week at 12 noon (UK) on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, and available on audio shortly after.
2021-04-0226 minFintech FikaEp2: What does a network mean in banking?This week's topic is all about networks. We don't just mean payments, but wider ecosystems as well. Join Chris Papathanassi and Tim Tyler as they discuss what it means for a bank positioning itself as a Platform Player, or as a Fintech looking to integrate.
Fintech Fika is live every week at 12 noon (UK) on the Finastra LinkedIn channel, and available on audio shortly after.
2021-04-0226 minFintech FikaEp1: Clash of the TitansTechnology is the enabler for growth in corporate banking, yet a recent survey highlighted existing IT infrastructure as an obstacle for change. Is there a disconnect between the technology and the business? Join Christopher Papathanassi and Tim Tyler as they discuss what happens when these leviathans come together.
2021-04-0128 min