Dan Jowett - OpenMarkets Group

Where Defi Meets Tradfi

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, host Dexter Cousins speaks with Dan Jowett, CEO of OpenMarkets Group, about the rapid convergence of Tradfi and DeFi

About This Episode

Tune in as Dan and Dexter discuss how OpenMarkets has transformed from a traditional stockbroker to a technology-focused fintech, the regulatory hurdles facing the crypto industry, and the future of equities trading in a rapidly changing environment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to OpenMarkets and Fintech Landscape
02:26 Evolution of OpenMarkets: From Stockbroker to Tech Innovator
06:08 Navigating the Future: DeFi and Traditional Finance
11:45 Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Assets
15:37 Building a Strong Culture at OpenMarkets
18:47 Navigating Market Changes in Fintech
21:07 Lessons from Leadership During Challenging Times
23:22 The Importance of Networking and Global Perspectives
24:26 The Future of DeFi and Regulatory Challenges
27:24 Cultivating a Positive Workplace Culture
30:59 Finding the Right Fit in a Dynamic Environment

About OpenMarkets Group

Power your Fintech, Advisory, or Trading business with an end-to-end Wealth Management and Trading solutions.

Openmarkets empowers financial institutions and advisers to deliver a seamless investment experience to their clients. They provide a comprehensive suite of trading, clearing and settlement, custody, and technology solutions that enable businesses to efficiently manage portfolios, scale their business, and support investors in achieving their financial objectives.

About Dan Jowett

Dan Jowett is the CEO of Openmarkets and has served as OMG’s Chief Executive Officer since March 2022 after joining in February 2022.

Prior to joining Openmarkets, Dan was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Shaw and Partners Limited, an Australian investment and wealth management firm, between 2012 and 2021.

Dan commenced his career providing financial assurance and advisory services while at PwC Australia and KPMG UK, and has more than 25 years of professional experience across stockbroking, wealth management, funds management and investment banking.

Find Out More - https://openmarkets.com.au/

Nuj Super - Matt McKenzie. From Beancounter to Fintech Founder.

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, host Dexter Cousins speaks with Matt McKenzie, CEO and co-founder of Nuj, a Regtech company making serious strides in the Aus$ 4trn Superannuation sector. Nuj’s plug-and-play solution streamlines workflows while ensuring compliance with all current and upcoming regulations.

The platform enables quick integration, with automated workflows, audit trails, and real-time updates.

Nuj raised a $4m seed round in early 2025 and counts Bluechip names like MUFG and AMP as clients.

Find out more - https://www.nujsuper.com/

Key topics covered in the chat:

Nudge was founded during COVID-19 in 2020.
The superannuation industry has significant legacy challenges.
Client acquisition requires proving value in a slow-moving market.
Funding strategies can include leveraging early client relationships.
Growth in fintech requires patience and resilience.
Remote work has become integral to Nudge's culture.
Establishing authentic company values is crucial for team alignment.
Hiring should focus on cultural fit and embracing collective wisdom.
Networking within the fintech community provides valuable insights.
Future growth at Nuj will leverage AI and technological innovations.

Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mckenzie/

Building the Best Culture in Fintech

Ritchie Cotton, CTO and Co-Founder of Valiant Finance talks about their journey on Fintech Chatter Podcast

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, host Dexter Cousins speaks with Ritchie Cotton, co-founder of Valiant Finance, about the company's journey over the past decade.

Key Talking Points

Valiant connects small businesses with the right finance options.
The company has helped nearly 25,000 small businesses with over $2bn in funding.
How Ritchie and Co-founder Alex Molloy met and the genesis for Valiant.
Building one of the best working environments in Fintech.
Valiant's push into embedded finance solutions.
Getting the right combination of technology and human touch.
How COVID-19 was a pivotal moment for Valiant.
Valiant's plans for global expansion.
The companies customer centric values.
Ritchie's leadership style and focus on empowering teams and fostering collaboration.

Find out more https://www.valiantfinance.com/careers

Solving Housing Affordability - James Bowe, OwnHome

Dexter Cousins is joined by James Bowe, CEO and co-founder of OwnHome to discuss the urgent challenges of housing access and affordability in Australia.

About Ownhome

James shares how OwnHome aims to innovate the home buying journey by funding deposits and providing advocacy support to aspiring homeowners. Up for discussion is the importance of credit risk management, and the need for innovative business models in the current economic landscape.

Dexter also chats to James about his leadership journey and the successes of OwnHome, building a culture centred on resilience and a growth mindset and hiring talent with "batteries included"

Key Insights From James Bowe

Housing access is a pressing social challenge in Australia.
Young Australians face a decade-long struggle to save for a deposit.
OwnHome funds deposits to help families buy homes sooner.
The property market requires more than just financial support; confidence is key.
Lenders mortgage insurance is a significant profit pool for banks.
Credit risk assessment should consider more than just deposit size.

Find out more - https://ownhome.com/

Fintech is only 1% Finished - David M. Brear 11:FS

Welcome back to Fintech Chatter Podcast! In this episode your host Dexter Cousins invites guest No2 back onto the show.

David M. Brear is CEO of 11:FS Group and 11:FS Holdings. The award winning digital consultancy has built digital banks all over the world and through 11:FS holdings, David and the team are finally going to build the next generation of financial services, this time for their own company!

Having first appeared on the show in January 2020, David and Dexter talk about the evolution of fintech, the challenges facing the fintech industry, and the future of digital banking.

They also discuss the impact of AI on the consultancy model, the importance of understanding customer insights to drive innovation, plus the current state of fintech in the UK and Australia.

David also reveals his new favourite hobby, the increasing role of influencers in fintech media and his personal health challenges that have him more motivated than ever.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:16 About 11:FS
03:05 Changing the Fabric of Financial Services
17:20 Regulatory Challenges and Market Dynamics
23:07 The Future of UK FinTech
26:00 Maturity Challenges in FinTech
29:05 Emergence of Influencers in FinTech
33:26 The Power of Podcasting in FinTech
38:13 The Reality of FinTech Media
41:54 Cult of Personality in FinTech
48:55 Building 11FS Holdings
54:30 Health, Work, and Life Balance

For more information on 11:FS - https://www.11fs.com/

Listen to Fintech Insider Podcast - https://content.11fs.com/podcasts

From First Line of Code to $30m Series C - Josh Foreman, Indebted

Dexter Cousins recently caught up with Josh Foreman, CEO of Indebted to discuss their global expansion and recent Series C capital raise.

Josh first appeared on the show in 2020 and he shares the lessons he has learned from writing Indebted's first line of code to launching in 7 countries!

In this catch up we discuss the evolution of the debt collection industry, the challenges of consumer fintech, and how Indebted are building the infrastructure for Credit.

We also talk about the impacts of AI on their operations, and the strategic decisions that have led to their expansion into multiple markets.

Foreman also shares insights on the future of credit infrastructure and the lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey.

Highlight

My favourite insight from the chat with Josh is the critical role of intuition in entrepreneurship. Listen in from the 35 minute mark for some great insights by Josh.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Indebted and Its Mission

03:04 The Evolution of Technology in Debt Collection

09:08 Disrupting Traditional Debt Collection Models

15:00 The Future of Credit Infrastructure

18:03 Lessons Learned and Strategic Insights

30:42 Scaling a Global Business

35:59 The Role of Intuition in Decision Making

39:00 Raising Capital in a Challenging Environment

45:41 The Future of Fintech and AI Innovations

Find out more about Indebted - https://www.indebted.co/careers/

You can find previous episodes with Josh -

2020 - https://tieronepeople.com/2020/11/11/josh-foreman-indebted-fintech-australia-podcast/

2022 - https://youtu.be/iA0j-yejKDQ?si=ibKW4oNXZUxHaJpg

Antony Jenkins On The Future Of 10x Banking

Dexter Cousins interviews Antony Jenkins, the CEO and founder of 10X Banking, the core banking platform that makes banking ten times better.

Antony Jenkins on The Future of 10x Banking

Antony stands out in Fintech as the global CEO of Barclays who decided to start a fintech. Tune in for a deep dive into the challenges of core banking, the outdated technology in the banking sector, and how 10X Banking helps banks like Westpac and Chase innovate fast and move into the future.

We talk about fixing the banking technology silo problem, Antony's transition from a large bank to a startup, and his approach to creating a high-performance culture within 10x and how it differs to running a global bank.

Antony also shares his thoughts on the future of 10x Banking, fintech more broadly and the opportunities in the Australian market (and their partnership with Constantinople.) Plus we get his expert advice for any banking professional considering a move to fintech.

Find out more https://www.10xbanking.com/

"We can still have a positive impact in the world."
Antony Jenkins - 10x Banking

Chapters

00:00 From CEO to Fintech Founder
02:55 The Challenges of Core Banking
05:48 Defining the Problem in Banking
09:12 Building a Technology Solution
12:07 Navigating the Transition to Fintech
18:18 Creating a High-Performance Culture
27:28 The Future of Fintech
30:18 Opportunities in the Australian Market
31:42 Career Advice for Bankers

Building an API Services Hub for Fintechs

Julian Fayad of LoanOptions.ai chats about Synapses, an API services hub for Fintechs

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, Dexter Cousins interviews Julian Fayad, CEO of LoanOptions.ai about the challenges and advantages of bootstrapping a fintech company from the ground up.

Having experienced the challenges first hand, Julian has built Synapses, an API Services Hub for Fintechs.

LoanOptions.ai aims to revolutionise the loan application process. Julian shares insights into how they’re using AI to build a mobile first loan application process.

Julian first appeared on the show in 2023. We chat about his progress and the lessons he has learned over the past two years. Julian also talks about the transition from a broking business to a technology-focused company, and the launch of Synapses, the API services hub for Fintech!

We also discuss the launch of HAILO and LoanOptions.ai, expansion into New Zealand and future plans for market expansion into the US and UAE.

Find out more: https://loanoptions.ai

Chapters

00:00 The Bootstrap Journey of a Fintech Founder

02:12 Innovating the Loan Application Process

10:45 Transitioning from Broking to Technology

18:04 Launching New Products and Partnerships

25:49 Building an API Services Hub for Fintechs

26:48 Navigating B2B Partnerships and SaaS Pricing Strategies

32:05 Transitioning from Brokerage to Tech: Lessons Learned

35:21 Building a Cohesive Team and Company Culture

39:47 Innovative Talent Acquisition Strategies

41:45 Valuable Lessons in Business Partnerships

46:22 Expanding Horizons: New Markets and Future Plans

The Journey of Athena

Michael Starkey and Nathan Walsh, Co-founders of Athena Home Loans share their remarkable journey!

In this episode of Fintech Chatter Dexter Cousins chats to Nathan Walsh and Michael Starkey, Co-Founders of Athena Home Loans.

Making their long awaited return to the show, Nathan and Michael discuss their journey over the past four years,and the insane challenges they’ve had to navigate as interest rates rose rapidly and funding markets dried up.

According to Wikipedia Athena was the patron goddess of heroic endeavor; she was believed to have aided the heroes Perseus, Heracles, Bellerophon, and Jason. She may have also aided Michael and Nathan over this last few years!

https://youtu.be/a4i8wXv72xo

We ask Nathan and Michael the tough questions like how do you compete with banks, balancing technology with regulatory requirements, navigating the rapid interest rate rises since 2022, and the importance of partnerships.

Nathan and Michael also share their secrets to building a resilient team and maintaining a strong company culture as they aim for the next stage of growth and innovation in the home loan sector.

"This is now an execution story."
Nathan Walsh - CEO, Athena Home Loans

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Athena Home Loans
03:38 Founding Story and Vision
05:48 Tech Fin vs Fin Tech: Athena's Position
07:32 Navigating Regulation and Compliance
11:48 Challenges of Distribution in a Fragmented Market
13:34 Impact of Interest Rate Rises
19:45 Lessons from Big Banks
23:23 Partnerships and Growth Opportunities
29:29 Cultural Alignment in Partnerships
31:41 Frameworks for Evaluating Partnerships
33:47 The Journey of Co-Founders
37:59 Attracting and Retaining Talent
40:51 Navigating Growth and Change
45:09 Reflections on Past Experiences
48:40 Future Aspirations and Growth

Fintech's Most Ambitious Startup - Constantinople.

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, host Dexter Cousins speaks with Di Challenor and Macgregor Duncan, co-founders of Constantinople, about their journey in building the Operating System for banks.

About Constantinople

Constantinople is the most ambitious startup in Fintech, tackling the most complex problem in Fintech, rethinking how banks become fully digital. Constantinople is a banking operating system, the AWS for banking, managing all infrastructure and operational aspects of a bank: from Customer experience, Banking products to Features, Risks etc.

How Do You Build A World Class Fintech From Sydney?

Tune in as Mac and Di discuss the challenges of building a global fintech from Sydney. They share their secrets to winning banking clients, the importance of establishing trust, and the strategies behind their successful capital raising efforts.

We revisit our first interview in 2023 and talk through the challenges and learnings of the past two years. As they look to the future, they share their vision for Constantinople and the endless quest for excellence.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Constantinople
04:09 The Evolution of Banking Technology
07:17 Challenges in Client Acquisition
10:10 Building Trust and Credibility
12:53 Creating a New Category in Banking
16:04 Navigating Capital Raising
19:03 The Importance of Execution
25:02 Scaling the Business
34:08 The Importance of Documentation in Scaling
36:49 Driving Excellence in Early Stage Companies
42:45 Commitment to Excellence: Attracting the Right Talent
49:07 Identifying and Filling Skill Gaps
53:15 Future Vision: Building a Multi-Tenanted Banking Platform

RedBelly Network The FUTURE of Fintech TODAY

Vincent Gramoli

Dexter Cousins invites Vincent Gramoli, founder and CTO to talk about his innovative work at RedBelly Network.

Vincent charts his journey in the blockchain environment from academia to entrepreneurship.

He outlines the innovative approach RedBelly Network takes towards the tokenisation of real-world assets and the need for collaboration between Tradfi and Defi.

Vincent shares insights on blockchain technology safety measures, the importance of compliance, and how he sees the future of fintech in Australia.

About RedBelly Network

Redbelly Network is a team of innovators, engineers, and visionaries committed to building a secure and inclusive blockchain ecosystem.

They believe in the power of collaboration — within both their team and the global community, working towards reshaping the future of finance and technology.

About Vincent Gramoli

Vincent Gramoli is the Founder and CTO of Redbelly Network and the Head of the Concurrent Systems Research Group at the University of Sydney.

Vincent has chaired the Cybersecurity Committee for the Computing Research and Education Association of Australasia (CORE) and the Blockchain Technical Committee for the Australian Computer Society.

His accolades include the Digital National Facilities & Collections Award from CSIRO, the Best Paper Awards at ICDCS’21, IPDPS’22, ICDCS’22 and DSN’24 for his research on blockchains

He received the Education Leader of the Year Award from Blockchain Australia and the Future Fellowship from the Australian Research Council.

Vincent has been affiliated with INRIA, Cornell, Data61 and EPF.

Key Takeaways

RedBelly Network aims to provide a compliant blockchain solution for traditional finance.
The company focuses on tokenising real-world assets to lower barriers for retail investors.
Safety measures include linking accounts to real-world identities to ensure accountability.
The collaborative approach to scalability is a key feature of RedBelly Network's technology.
Commercialising innovation in Australia can be a lengthy process due to regulatory hurdles.
Emphasising the importance of learning business skills for tech founders.
Building stong networks is crucial for finding talent in niche markets.
Investor interest in compliant asset tokenisation is growing.
RedBelly Network aims to reduce transaction fees by maintaining a fixed fee structure.

Sound Bites

"We're entering a new era with tokenisation."
"I had to learn the business side of things."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Vincent and Red Belly Network

05:27 Navigating Regulation in Blockchain

08:58 Tokenisation of Real-World Assets

12:08 Safety Measures using Layered Technology

19:33 Transitioning from Tech to Business

24:36 Hiring the right Talent

27:19 The Challenge of Funding

30:51 Reducing Fees for Consumers

34:30 The Pro-Crypto Movement

39:23 Learning from TradFi for Future Innovations

41:33 Future Plans for RedBelly Network

Augmenting Offshore Teams with AI for Hyper Scale.

Dexter Cousins speaks with Simon Lee, founder of Teamified, about the transformative role of AI and offshore teams in Fintech startups.

Tune in as they discuss tactics on how to build and rapidly scale a Fintech startup by harnessing an offshore workforce augmented by AI and AI Agents. Using real life examples and clients Simon and Dexter share their expertise on how to launch and scale a Fintech without the need to raise $millions.

What does this mean for venture capital and the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship in Australia?

Simon unveils the Teamified platform and the impact of AI on the hiring process. And they also debate the concept of Fractional Executives and why they may not be the right solution for Fintech startups.

There's also a breakdown of the jobs most at risk in this rapidly changing digital landscape.

Simon shares his insights on building businesses and Dexter poses the Billion dollar question 'how he would build a startup in 2025 with just $5000!'

AI and Remote Work discussion points

AI is significantly reducing hiring times and costs.
Offshoring talent can provide access to specialised skills not available locally.
The traditional path to entrepreneurship is changing with technology.
AI is not just a tool; it's a game changer for startups.
Health and well-being are crucial for sustained entrepreneurial success.
The rise of AI will democratize business opportunities.
Every SaaS application needs to be rethought in the age of AI.

Chapters
00:00 The Power of AI in Startups
02:59 Teamified's Unique Approach to Recruitment
06:03 Offshoring and Remote Work Dynamics
09:04 The Impact of AI on Hiring and Recruitment
11:23 The Evolution of the Job Market
14:06 Democratizing Entrepreneurship with Technology
17:12 AI Agents: The Future of Business?
20:15 Optimizing Outsourcing Functions
23:14 The Future of Recruitment and AI Tools
29:52 The Future of Executive Roles in a Changing Landscape
37:16 The Reality of Work: Expectations vs. Performance
40:15 Prioritizing Health: A Shift in Perspective
43:02 Passion vs. Burnout: The Balancing Act
44:38 The Impact of AI on Business and Employment
46:07 Democratisation of Business: Opportunities for All
48:45 Starting a Business with Limited Resources

Find out more - https://teamified.com.au