Fintech Chatter Podcast

Fintech Chatter is brought to you by Tier One People - the executive search firm dedicated to connecting high-growth fintech companies with exceptional leadership talent. About this EpisodeIn the latest episode of Fintech Chatter, host Dexter Cousins chats to Simon Schwarz, Co-Founder and CEO of FreightInsure, about his journey from fintech to insurtech.Simon shares how his career from investment banking, to fintech, to insurtech (working with SocietyOne, Zip and BizCover along the way) has shaped his current scaleup, FreightInsure.We take a deep dive into Simon’s strategy to build FreighInsure and how the MGA (Managing General Agent) model has enabled the distribution of embedded insurance products.Simon reflects on the dual responsibilities as Co-Founder and CEO, and his life hacks for balance and well-being. About SimonSimon is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of FreightInsure, Australia’s leading platform for embedded freight insurance. He started his career at Investec Bank in Australia, holding roles as Head of Investments, Head of Credit and Head of Board Risk and Capita. Simon has sat on boards as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman at several investee companies.  He has also acted on advisory boards at Zip Co and Middle, and is a Board member of Insurtech Australia and the Regulatory and Compliance Working Group.Simon is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds an MBA (Exec), Masters of Applied Finance, and is the recipient of the University Medal for pure mathematics from the University of Sydney. He was an Honorary Fellow at Macquarie University’s Applied Finance Centre and a member of the  Menzies School of Health Research Development Committee. About FreightInsureFreightInsure offers embedded goods-in-transit insurance directly from a transport company's booking platform. Shippers no longer need to buy annual marine insurance policies, but can simply purchase insurance on a needs basis, when booking their freight, within less than a minute.Key TakeawaysHow the MGA model allows for rapid growth without the need for capital reservesHow distribution innovation is big Insurtech opportunityHow AI applications are being developed to enhance underwriting processesFreight and logistics market isn’t sexy but it presents vast opportunities for growthIdentifying profitable market opportunities is crucial for business successThe quality of founders is the key to a startup's successFocus on distribution to solve market problems effectivelyThe role of a founder differs significantly from that of a CEOInsurTech in Australia is gaining momentum and attracting capitalChapters00:00 Introduction05:54 The Birth of FreightInsure12:01 Innovation in Distribution17:57 Future Innovations and AI Applications25:15 Identifying Market Opportunities30:54 The Dual Role of Founder and CEO39:00 The InsurTech Landscape in AustraliaLinks & Resources:Visit FreightInsure websiteConnect with SimoSend us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

About this EpisodeIn Episode 198 of the FintechChatter podcast, Dexter Cousins chats with Joel Yarbrough, CEO of Moment. Joel, an OG fintech leader, discusses his global journey with roles at PayPal, Grab, and now Moment, where he's tapping into Africa's fintech opportunities.Dexter and Joel discuss the qualities of successful individuals in startup environments, emphasizing the importance of passion, collaboration, and a growth mindset.Joel talks about the Importance of giving back and building diverse teams, as well as the challenges of hiring in a rapidly changing market. He also provides insights into the future of Moment and the importance of being mission-driven in the business world.About JoelA passionate leader whose love of technology drives him to deconstruct complex systems and rebuild them to solve real problems. He has spent most of my career helping strategise, design, product manage, and deliver multi-channel solutions in and around the intersections of financial services, commerce, and technology.He would describe himself as a great evangelist and dot connector, working with partners to understand their strategies and solve their problems. The delight of leading product teams to make the vision a reality is a real joy. His core belief is that together we can make the world a better place - even if it's through our own enlightened self-interest. By doing things well, and being decent to each other we will all keep pushing to a brighter place together.About MomentMoment is an integrated payments platform for Africa, incubated as a joint venture by MultiChoice, Rapyd, and General Catalyst. We connect businesses and consumers in over 40 African countries. We're able to do so through our broad network that aims to cover over 100 payment providers, 200 local payment methods, and 40 currencies.Key TakeawaysHow Africa's projected population growth presents unique opportunities for fintech.Moment's aims to build a comprehensive payment network for Africa, as the trend towards digital payments grows. Regulatory changes are shifting towards enabling innovation rather than just consumer protection.Australia's fintech scene is strong but needs to leverage its geographic and cultural assets more effectively.Regional trade clusters are more valuable than cross-oceanic trade relationships.The gig economy has empowered individuals in emerging markets, changing their economic prospects.The diversity in teams provides greater problem-solving capabilities and drives a growth mindset for individuals.Navigating hiring challenges requires clear communication to achieve high standards and cultural fit.Giving back creates a positive network effect and greater sense of fulfillment.Chapters00:00.  Introduction to Joel Yarbrough and Moment05:42.  The Unique Opportunity in Africa's Fintech Landscape14:01.  The Impact of Fintech on Personal Agency19:44.  Australia's Fintech Identity and Global Positioning25:08.  Understanding Human Capital in Startups30:32.  Passion vs. Mission-Driven Work39:01.  Navigating Hiring Challenges in a Changing MarketSend us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

Dexter Cousins shares an update from Tier One People with some exciting news on Executive hires.And a snippet from a fantastic podcast episode with Joe Yarbrough, CEO of Moment.Send us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp

About this EpisodeIn episode 198 of the Fintech Chatter Podcast, host Dexter Cousins reconnects with Liam Millward, CEO and Co-Founder of Instant. They discuss the remarkable growth and evolution of Instant since their last conversation. Liam shares insights on shifting from a product-focused mindset to a revenue-driven approach, navigating challenges in a competitive landscape.He shares the importance of building a high-performance team. Liam emphasises the significance of leadership, decision-making, and the role of personal experiences in shaping his entrepreneurial journey. The conversation also touches on the future of Instant and the strategies for market expansion.The Instant Journey As CEO and Co-founder of Instant; Liam is on a mission to power the world's most innovative brands, helping to drive their revenue and retention on autopilot. He launched his first funding round led by Blackbird, at age 17, generating $7.5m, the biggest pre-seed to date in Australia. As the business grew to $1.5m in annualised revenue, they have raised an additional $30m across Seed and Series A rounds. Hitting a healthy 1 million shoppers within 12 months of their launch.Since Instant launched its Checkout product, they have gone on to develop Audiences and Targeting offering their 3 product across the US and Australia. This is a triple-pronged approach to customer retention and greater outcomes for business revenue. About Liam Millward Liam started his first venture aged 13 in a caravan, travelling around Australia and the world with his family. His love of travel resulted in him curating and developing a well-known travel magazine, Navigate Australia with a monthly readership of 50,000+.Key TakeawaysLiam Millward reflects on the rapid growth of Instant since its inception.The importance of focusing on revenue rather than just product development.Building a strong sales strategy is crucial for startup success.Creating a high-performance culture is essential for team motivation.Leadership requires transparency and accountability within the team.Identifying and nurturing talent is key to sustaining growth.Travel and personal experiences can significantly influence an entrepreneurial mindset.Having a clear vision can inspire teams to achieve ambitious goals.Market expansion requires understanding and adapting to new environments.Failing as a company is not an option; resilience is vital.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Instant and Liam's Journey05:28 Shifting Focus: From Product Obsession to Revenue11:04 Sales Strategies for Rapid Revenue Growth16:40 Leadership and Transparency in Startups22:27 Creating an Inspiring Vision for the Team27:00 High Performance Work Environments34:26 The Impact of Life Challenges on Entrepreneurship42:13 Setting Ambitious Goals49:14 The Realities of Starting a BusinessSend us a textSubscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp