Thoughts on Fintech, Startups, and Building Better Products
Ideas, lessons, and honest takes from 20+ years in banking, product strategy, and the startup world.
Stop comparing AI vs AI, companies buy ecosystems. (Yes, even when they shouldn’t.)
Every week someone asks, or actually try to give an answer to the same question: "Is Gemini better than ChatGPT?", or: "Copilot vs NotebookLM?" But here’s what usually happens in real companies, especially non-tech ones. They don’t build a perfect AI stack. They buy...
Hype vs Responsibility in Building Fintech Products with AI
Key takeaways AI speeds up fintech work. It can also blur who owns the outcome. The risk is not AI mistakes. The risk is unclear ownership when mistakes happen. Make AI durable by designing for handoffs, exceptions, and double-checking. I work in fintech product, and...
How I Overcame Pitch Anxiety, And How You Can Too
If you're building a startup, at some point you're going to have to pitch, whether to investors, accelerators, or even your first team member. For many of us, especially introverts, this is terrifying. I know, because I’ve been there. In 2024, my startup Colsia was...
How to Validate a Fintech Startup Idea in the Early Stage, Lessons Beyond Checklists
If you’ve ever Googled “how to validate a startup idea,” you’ve likely been buried under endless checklists. They all look slightly different enough to avoid Google penalties, but are essentially the same. And they’re not wrong. Follow them and you’ll avoid many...
How Early-Stage Fintech Startups Can Prepare for Fundraising
Raising your first round of funding as a fintech founder can feel overwhelming. The competition is intense, and investors are more cautious when regulation, compliance, and trust are involved. But here's the good news: You don’t need a finished product or thousands of...
Fintech Pitch Deck: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Getting your fintech pitch deck right is critical, especially if you're raising your first round. Investors often decide within minutes whether to keep listening or move on. As a fintech advisor, I’ve reviewed dozens of early-stage decks. Most founders make the same...
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Information on this site is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or financial advice. Consulting engagements are subject to individual agreement and scope.