81: Ansarada, Stuart Clout
In episode 81 on Fintech Chatter Podcast Dexter Cousins is joined by Ansarada's Stuart Clout, Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Founder.
This is Stuart Clout's 2nd time on the show, he first appeared in episode 4, the last episode pre-covid, when we talked about his business at the time, thedocyard.
It's been a big 14 months for Stuart. We talk about an audacious merger with Ansarada and how by bringing thedocyard and Ansarada together, there’s a real opportunity to create another Aussie Fintech unicorn.
About Ansarada
Founded by Sam and Rachel Riley in 2005 Ansarada. In late 2020 Ansarada merged with thedocyard and Athena Board.
May 4th is not only Star Wars day but also marks the launch of Ansarada Deals. A comprehensive solution for transactions, the Deals solution tackles three of the biggest challenges facing every exec team and board, workforce collaboration, data security and compliance.
It's an exciting time for the business as go for global domination.
Stuart shares his approach to being a founder and some of the lessons he has learned along the way. We talk about the advantages of being open to opportunities and having a flexible approach to growth and scaling.
Find out more about Ansarada
Follow Stuart here
80: AgriDigital, Jins Kadwood
In episode 80 of the Fintech Chatter Podcast, Dexter Cousins is joined by Jins Kadwood, Chief Technology Officer of Agridigital.
Dexter first met Jins in 2018 alongside the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison handing Jins the CTO of the year at the Fintech Awards.
So it was cool to see Jins join another Fintech Chatter guest, Agridigital as CTO.
Backed by Square Peg Capital and founded by Emma Weston and Bob McKay, Agridigital is an Australian Fintech providing farmers with a digital way to manage grain from production to payment anywhere, anytime.
Jins chats about how Agridigital is combining technologies across blockchain, smart contracts, Defi and peer 2 peer lending to revolutionise the farming industry.
Jins also shares how his past experience as a professional soccer coach influences his approach to building and leading tech teams.
You can find out more about Agridigital
And finally, we promised to plug Jins' latest passion project Stylish CTO
And Ms Tyler
79: Checkbox.ai, Evan Wong
In episode 79 of the Fintech Chatter Podcast, Dexter Cousins is joined by Evan Wong, Co-founder and CEO of Checkbox.ai.
Evan has worked with many enterprises including Telstra, Coca Cola and the Singaporean Govt on their digital transformation projects.
Leveraging his expertise in developing digital solutions to solve business process problems, Evan and the Checkbox team have built a platform that empowers employees to build software without the need for coding.
Through this work, Evan has helped redefine manual processes around risk and compliance with a focus on applying innovation with ruthless practicality.
Evan is a serial entrepreneur and was the Founder of the award-winning business Hero Education which he started at the age of 17. In 2019 Evan was listed as Forbes 30 Under 30 (and he still qualifies!)
Find out more about Checkbox.ai
Follow Evan on LinkedIn
78: Blockchain Australia, Steve Vallas
In episode 78 of the Fintech Chatter Podcast Dexter Cousins is joined by Steve Vallas, CEO of Blockchain Australia.
It's a big week for Blockchain Australia as they launch the very first Blockchain Week, a festival bringing together over 100 speakers to talk all things Blockchain.
Blockchain Australia aims to encourage the responsible adoption of blockchain technology by industry and governments across Australia as a means to drive innovation in service delivery across all sectors of the economy.
Steve shares his candid views of where the industry is at in Australia and what Government and industry needs to do to make Australia a real innovator in the space.
To attend Blockchain Week
For more info visit Blockchain Australia
Follow Steve on Linkedin
77: Haventec, Stephen McNulty
In episode 77 Dexter Cousins chats to Stephen McNulty, Chief Growth Officer of Haventec.
Each month Dexter showcases one of Australia's up-and-coming innovators. To kick off the series, we feature Haventec.
At the core of the Haventec proposition is a remarkably simple idea, beautifully executed – protecting digital identities from harm, and keeping ‘data that matters’ safe – the key foundations for digital trust.
Haventec has developed a suite of technologies that eliminate the need to centrally store sensitive credentials and data, providing the ultimate preparedness for when the enterprise is breached.
About Stephen.
Stephen has lived in Sydney for the last 15 years, moving here from London. His career has featured roles in Engineering (Ford Motor Company), Technology (Accenture and Avanade), Products (Apple) and Security with his current company, Haventec.
When you meet Stephen he will inevitably talk to you about four things - his family, his mountain bike, his love of music and privacy…
Find out more about Haventec
Follow Stephen on LinkedIn
75: The Finanser, Chris Skinner
In Episode 75 of Fintech Chatter Podcast Dexter Cousins is joined by Chris Skinner, author, commentator and (in his own words) "troublemaker".
Chris Skinner is known as one of the most influential people in technology, and as an independent commentator on fintech through his blog, The Finanser.com. His latest book (sixteenth!) is called Doing Digital, and shares the lessons of doing digital transformation learned through interviews with BBVA, China Merchants Bank, DBS, ING and JPMorgan Chase.
Chris chairs the Financial Services Club and Nordic Future Innovation, is a non-executive director of 11:FS and on the advisory boards of various firms including Mode, Moven and Meniga. Chris Skinner has been an advisor to the United Nations, the White House, the World Bank and the World Economic Forum, and is a visiting lecturer with Cambridge University as well as a TEDx speaker.
In recent years, Chris has been voted one of the UK’s foremost fintech observers by The Telegraph and one of the most influential people in financial technology by the Wall Street Journal’s Financial News and Thomson Reuters.
Chris is also co-founder with renowned artist Basia Hamilton of The Portrait Foundation, http://portraitfoundation.com/, a non-profit platform to encourage children and the arts.
Find out more about The Finanser
Follow Chris on Linkedin
Find out more about Chris' childrens books
74: Ignition Advice, Mark Fordree
In episode 74 of Fintech Chatter Podcast Dexter Cousins is joined by Mark Fordree of Ignition Advice.
Founded in Sydney in 2014 by Mark Fordree and Mike Giles, Ignition Advice is a global leader in digital advice technology, with unique capabilities to deliver advice across investment, retirement and insurance.
Ignition offers a full end to end platform for enterprise, including onboarding, consumer engagement, compliant advice, sales completion, ongoing account management and client servicing.
Ignition entered the European market mid 2017, building a skilled team in Dublin and opening offices in January 2018.
In February 2021, Ignition Advice continues to grow with a move into the UK market establishing new teams in London and Edinburgh.
Following a successful Series B fundraising event with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Ignition are well funded to support business development and product research, accelerating their global growth.
Find out more about Ignition Advice
Follow Mark on Linkedin
In episode 73 of Fintech Chatter Podcast Dexter Cousins chats to Domm Holland, the Co-Founder and CEO of Fast, the world’s fastest online login and checkout platform.
Widely known as the ’World’s Fastest CEO,” Domm is an entrepreneur and self-taught engineer who has founded and scaled companies in the logistics, transportation and technology sectors.
Founded in Australia and currently headquartered in San Francisco, Fast is a privately held company founded by Domm and Allison Barr Allen and funded by Stripe, Addition, Index Ventures, Susa Ventures and Sugar Capital.
Fast's mission is to make buying online faster, safer and easier for everyone. Its Fast Login and Fast Checkout products enable a one-click sign-in and purchasing experience that makes it easier for people to buy and merchants to sell.
The company's products work on any browser, device or platform for consistent, stress-free purchasing. Fast is entirely consumer-focused and invests heavily in its users' privacy and data security, with a Zero Fraud Guarantee on chargebacks for sellers.
About Domm
Domm previously founded and served as CEO of Tow, an on-demand vehicle towing platform in Australia that processed more than $50M in transactions. During his tenure there, Domm was awarded the top spot on the Deloitte Tech Fast 50 and recognized as the Brisbane Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Domm has worked across Australia and the U.S., working in national and multinational telecommunications and technology companies, including Dell, with deep cross-function experience.
His background provides him with a unique perspective that spans R&D, sales and operations, all of which have contributed to his vision for Fast.
Find out more about Fast
Follow Domm on Linkedin
072: Zest Money, Lizzie Chapman
Fintech Australia Podcast
Dexter Cousins is joined by the remarkable Lizzie Chapman CEO & Co-Founder of ZestMoney, India’s first and largest AI-Driven, digital financing platform.
Lizzie Chapman is a leading figure in the fintech landscape of India. She has been instrumental in driving the adoption of digital finance and financial inclusion initiatives in the country.
Lizzie's vision is to make life affordable to more than 300 million households that are currently ignored by traditional providers.
India is on a path to becoming the most significant market for Fintech, globally. With a population of 1.4bn, less than 40% smartphone penetration, and only 25 million people with a credit card, India is primed for Fintech.
About Zest Money
ZestMoney has built a platform that can meaningfully improve the lives of more than 300 million households who currently have no access to credit cards or other formal financing options because of insufficient credit history.
Lizzie's Background
Lizzie started her career as an Investment Manager with the Wellcome Trust, where she invested in financial services companies in India. She then worked with Goldman Sachs in London before moving to India in 2011 to set-up and spearhead the India operations for digital lender Wonga, one of the biggest fintech companies in the world at that point.
Lizzie serves on the boards of IndiaMart (India’s Alibaba) and IndiaQuotient (early-stage investment fund). She is a founding member and serves on the Executive Committee of the Digital Lending Association of India.
She was honoured with the ‘Female Fintech Leader’ award in 2017 and in 2019 was as recognised among “Linkedin Top Voices 2019: Finance & Economy” globally.
Follow Lizzie on Linkedin
Find out more about Zest Money
In Ep70 of the Fintech Australia Podcast Dexter Cousins is joined by Robert Bell CEO of 86400.
Launched in September 2019 with an unrestricted banking license, the smartphone-only bank has been the trailblazer for Aussie neobanks launching home loans, energy switching, joint accounts, and budgeting tools with new feature releases on an almost weekly basis.
Backed by Cuscal and Chaired by Anthony Thomson (founder of Metro and Atom Bank in the UK) 86 400 partners with many Aussie Fintech including Zip, Uno, Data Action. And with the proposed sale to NAB, Tier One People believe this is a landmark day for Australian Fintech innovation.
Rob's committment to helping Australians take control of their finances is the driving force behind the 100+ strong team at 86 400.
Prior to 86 400 he held Executive and CEO roles at Cuscal, Australian Unity Bank and ANZ including CEO positions at both ANZ Japan and ANZ Fiji.
Find out more about 86 400
Follow Robert of Linked in
69: Domain Group, Jason Pellegrino
Fintech Australia Podcast #69 Dexter Cousins is joined by Jason Pellegrino, CEO of Domain Group on the FinTech Australia Podcast.
You might be asking why a Real Estate listing platform is featuring on a Fintech podcast?
Tune in and find out why in this super interesting show as Jason shares the Domain Group strategy and their move into Fintech with Lendi and Limepay.
Jason spent 10 years with Google as Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand. As a member of the Asia-Pacific Regional Leadership Team, Jason held leadership positions across Sales, Operations and Strategy.
He shares his views on the role Big Tech is playing in the future of payments and financial services.
Prior to Google, Jason worked in several roles over 15 years spanning Corporate Strategy, Mergers and Acquisitions and Finance at Dakota Capital Partners, LEK Consulting, PepsiCo International and KPMG.
Jason holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce and an MBA (Distinction) from The London Business School.
Jason is a member of the Innovation Taskforce of the Business Council of Australia, a member of ASIC's External Advisory Panel and a Board member of Plan International.
Find out more about Domain Home Loans
Follow Jason on Linkedin
68: Trade Ledger, Martin McCann
Fintech Australia Podcast #68 Dexter Cousins is joined by Martin McCann CEO and Co-Founder of Trade Ledger.
Trade Ledger is the world’s first open digital banking platform that gives banks the ability to assess business lending risk in real-time. Tune in as Dexter and Martin discuss the Fintech landscape and how Trade Ledger has evolved since launching four years ago.
As an avid technologist, business leader, investor, academic researcher, and public speaker Martin is passionate about the digitisation of business.
Prior to founding Trade Ledger, he accrued 20 years’ experience creating, growing, mentoring, and investing in innovative global technology companies worldwide. He has been CEO of Global Innovation Ventures, GM of SAP's Cloud Solutions Division overseeing a period of extraordinary growth, and CEO and Research Director of software consultancy, Inn-vision.
Follow Martin on Linkedin
Find out more about Trade Ledger
Listen to more episodes of the Fintech Australia Podcast
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About Tier One People
Founded by Dexter Cousins in 2016, Tier One People is on a mission to help Australia become the world leader in Fintech innovation.
Tier One People helps companies like Revolut, TrueLayer and 10x build founding teams for launch in Australia.
And series A+ / ASX Listed Aussie Fintech like Lendi, Afterpay and 86 400 hire executive talent capable of delivering growth and scale. If you are building a world-class Fintech venture and need help in hiring tier-one people contact us