Finscale in English

I'm excited to speak with Ronit this week. He has a talent for simplifying finance from a macro perspective and can think conceptually about the industry's future. Recently, this brilliant mind from Citi published a new book on the industry's future. He presents a comprehensive overview of money throughout history, spanning from ancient times to the present day and beyond. This episode provides us with a great opportunity to gain perspective and focus on some incredible aspects that tech in finance enables, such as promoting greater inclusion and providing access to banking services for women. These use cases demonstrate that change is indeed underway and is accelerating. I share Ronit's passion for discussing the future. So, I'll let you enjoy this beautiful retrospective guided by his book.

Excertp of the episode released on Sunday. I'm excited to speak with Ronit this week. He has a talent for simplifying finance from a macro perspective and can think conceptually about the industry's future. Recently, this brilliant mind from Citi published a new book on the industry's future. He presents a comprehensive overview of money throughout history, spanning from ancient times to the present day and beyond. This episode provides us with a great opportunity to gain perspective and focus on some incredible aspects that tech in finance enables, such as promoting greater inclusion and providing access to banking services for women. These use cases demonstrate that change is indeed underway and is accelerating. I share Ronit's passion for discussing the future. So, I'll let you enjoy this beautiful retrospective guided by his book.

The topic of Climate Risk is one that deeply concerns me, as it does many individuals I engage with. In the financial world, it's a subject that's perceived in vastly different ways, depending on whom you speak to. I was keen to have this conversation because Climate X's method strikes me as pragmatic, sensible, and attuned to business realities, a rarity in the climate risk analysis arena. Lukky, the CEO of Climate X, is an intriguing figure with a profound grasp of his field. He has consistently impressed me since our initial meeting. Our discussion delves into their business methodology and the development of their Spectra model—an impressive and user-friendly tool. We explore how this UK-based start-up achieves global reach in providing climate risk data by fusing scientific research with econometrics to produce comprehensive climate risk analytics. I assure you, the conversation is not just enlightening but genuinely captivating.

This is an excerpt of the episode published on Sunday. The topic of Climate Risk is one that deeply concerns me, as it does many individuals I engage with. In the financial world, it's a subject that's perceived in vastly different ways, depending on whom you speak to. I was keen to have this conversation because Climate X's method strikes me as pragmatic, sensible, and attuned to business realities, a rarity in the climate risk analysis arena. Lukky, the CEO of Climate X, is an intriguing figure with a profound grasp of his field. He has consistently impressed me since our initial meeting. Our discussion delves into their business methodology and the development of their Spectra model—an impressive and user-friendly tool. We explore how this UK-based start-up achieves global reach in providing climate risk data by fusing scientific research with econometrics to produce comprehensive climate risk analytics. I assure you, the conversation is not just enlightening but genuinely captivating.

About three years ago, I began to explore the story of Florian, an early cryptocurrency advocate and tax expert with experience at one of the Big Four accounting firms. Nearly a decade ago, Florian grappled with the tax declaration challenges that all crypto holders face. Currently, a minority accurately report their crypto earnings, but this may shift in 2026 due to the impending introduction of DAC 8. This directive aims to give tax authorities the information they need to track and assess the tax implications of crypto-generated income by creating a standardised framework for cross-border reporting. The potential market for Blockpit is vast. Our conversation spans Blockpit's technological core, their client base, and their global expansion efforts. I find the complexities of audit trails and risk management, especially regarding cyber risks, particularly challenging. You'll see just how seriously this Austrian start-up takes these challenges.

This is an excerpt of the episode published on Sunday. About three years ago, I began to explore the story of Florian, an early cryptocurrency advocate and tax expert with experience at one of the Big Four accounting firms. Nearly a decade ago, Florian grappled with the tax declaration challenges that all crypto holders face. Currently, a minority accurately report their crypto earnings, but this may shift in 2026 due to the impending introduction of DAC 8. This directive aims to give tax authorities the information they need to track and assess the tax implications of crypto-generated income by creating a standardised framework for cross-border reporting. The potential market for Blockpit is vast. Our conversation spans Blockpit's technological core, their client base, and their global expansion efforts. I find the complexities of audit trails and risk management, especially regarding cyber risks, particularly challenging. You'll see just how seriously this Austrian start-up takes these challenges.

Is it accurate to say "A forewarned man is worth two"? Let's think about this as we delve into the transformative effects of technology, LLMs, and AI on the investment sector. It was this curiosity that led me to a conversation with André, with the aim to uncover how these advancements might reshape the entire investment value chain. Between you and me, there hasn’t been a week when I haven’t reflected on this topic. This engineer, turned VC, shared what they've deployed Earlybird to refine processes, including sourcing, analysis, due diligence, and even how they interact with entrepreneurs and strategise divestments. It’s particularly intriguing to examine the role automation plays in a field traditionally celebrated for its human touch. André advocates for what he calls "augmented VC" - the perfect blend of personal investment intuition and a methodical approach to minimise biases and inefficiencies. You're about to get a glimpse of how these technologies could revolutionise the industry. My advice - dive deeper, stay informed, and brace yourself for the changes ahead. They promise to redefine the landscape.

This is an excerpt of the episode published on Sunday. Is it accurate to say "A forewarned man is worth two"? Let's think about this as we delve into the transformative effects of technology, LLMs, and AI on the investment sector. It was this curiosity that led me to a conversation with André, with the aim to uncover how these advancements might reshape the entire investment value chain. Between you and me, there hasn’t been a week when I haven’t reflected on this topic. This engineer, turned VC, shared what they've deployed Earlybird to refine processes, including sourcing, analysis, due diligence, and even how they interact with entrepreneurs and strategise divestments. It’s particularly intriguing to examine the role automation plays in a field traditionally celebrated for its human touch. André advocates for what he calls "augmented VC" - the perfect blend of personal investment intuition and a methodical approach to minimise biases and inefficiencies. You're about to get a glimpse of how these technologies could revolutionise the industry. My advice - dive deeper, stay informed, and brace yourself for the changes ahead. They promise to redefine the landscape.

For this second part of the discussion, I'm speaking with Vatsa to delve into numerous topics. First off, he shares his recent transition to CEO and gives us an inside look at how the company is organised: from the Executive Committee's makeup to Charlie's handover, the dynamics with investors, and his approach to leadership. We also dive into the company's core activities, its global footprint, and more about what they do. We also focused on two key areas - the impact of integrating AI and LLMs into their offerings—detailing the tangible benefits for them and their clients—and their strategies for staying ahead of financial crime and scams. It's insightful —don't miss it. Enjoy the show! And make sure you don't miss the first part of the episode, where I’m be chatting with the founder of ComplyAdvantage.

My last discussion with Charlie was four years ago. What a joy it was to speak with him again and to hear about all the ground they've covered. We cover the journey of this unique RegTech entrepreneur who began his journey solo, discussing the early days and his vision for the company. We delve into his journey as CEO, exploring how his role has evolved and helped shape ComplyAdvantage into what it is today. We also cover the transition of leadership to Vatsa and his new role as Executive Chairman. Simply brilliant! Enjoy the show! And make sure you don't miss the next episode, where I'll be chatting with the current CEO about the company's comprehensive value proposition.

Welcome to this week's special offering: a two-part series on ComplyAdvantage, a company that's been on my radar for its impressive strides in RegTech. We're in for a treat as I sit down with both the visionary founder, Charlie Delingpole, and his successor, Vatsa Narasimha , to peel back the layers of this dynamic company. I'm sharing excerpts from these two episodes, which will be broadcast two days apart. Enjoy ! Part#1: Charlie Delingpole Part #2: Vatsa Narasimha

I have been closely observing for 4 years how Clarity AI has evolved. This team, exceptionally strong in AI topics and with an ultra-strong academic footprint, has developed an interesting offering for the financial sector (among others). Having Angel on the podcast was a chance to delve deeper into their value proposition and understand the values they uphold through their platform. The DNA of this scale-up is fundamentally in sustainability and transparency. So, we took a closer look at the models developed, how their offering has expanded and adapted to the needs dictated by European regulation and what makes their sustainability tech kit the "most comprehensive and granular" in the market. We also talked about clients like Klarna and solutions for meeting the requirements of CRR, SFDR, and TCFD. No wonder Clarity AI has won so many awards.

This is an excerpt of the episode published on Sunday. I have been closely observing for 4 years how Clarity AI has evolved. This team, exceptionally strong in AI topics and with an ultra-strong academic footprint, has developed an interesting offering for the financial sector (among others). Having Angel on the podcast was a chance to delve deeper into their value proposition and understand the values they uphold through their platform. The DNA of this scale-up is fundamentally in sustainability and transparency. So, we took a closer look at the models developed, how their offering has expanded and adapted to the needs dictated by European regulation and what makes their sustainability tech kit the "most comprehensive and granular" in the market. We also talked about clients like Klarna and solutions for meeting the requirements of CRR, SFDR, and TCFD. No wonder Clarity AI has won so many awards.

In this episode, I revisit the world of treasury management, a realm I have been deeply involved with since my younger years. It's a world filled with treasury bills, certificates of deposit, and REPO. Managing treasury involves placing funds, effectively managing risk with clear visibility and transparency, and accessing institutional markets. My fascination with this subject is shared by my guest this week, Kevin. He shares insights into the FinTech company he co-founded, which is revolutionising how clients manage their treasuries with a sophisticated approach. This London-based scale-up has moved beyond traditional Excel sheets, developing Fixed-Term Funds to enable more sophisticated management. You'll learn about the financial product's structure, the diverse client base ranging from private equity funds to large listed corporations, their outreach strategies, and their geographical focus. It's an inspiring journey akin to scaling the north face of Everest.

This is an excerpt of the episode published on Sunday. In this episode, I revisit the world of treasury management, a realm I have been deeply involved with since my younger years. It's a world filled with treasury bills, certificates of deposit, and REPO. Managing treasury involves placing funds, effectively managing risk with clear visibility and transparency, and accessing institutional markets. My fascination with this subject is shared by my guest this week, Kevin. He shares insights into the FinTech company he co-founded, which is revolutionising how clients manage their treasuries with a sophisticated approach. This London-based scale-up has moved beyond traditional Excel sheets, developing Fixed-Term Funds to enable more sophisticated management. You'll learn about the financial product's structure, the diverse client base ranging from private equity funds to large listed corporations, their outreach strategies, and their geographical focus. It's an inspiring journey akin to scaling the north face of Everest.

When I first heard about Ramp Network, two things impressed me: the youth of the founders and their ability to surround themselves with senior profiles, as well as their investors and their ability to deliver in an regulated and increasingly changing environment. This start-up, which already employs 160 people, provides a powerful fiat <> crypto toolkit that enables anyone - from established brands to blockchain pioneers - to easily onboard their next million users into web3. Since 2018, they’ve been building and improving their core on-ramp and off-ramp products to take web3 mainstream in a secure and compliant way, boasting an impressive track record with 40+ fiat currencies supported, 90+ supported cryptoassets, availability in 150+ countries, and $134 million in funds raised. During this discussion with Szymon, you will discover the vision they have, use cases, including that of Sorare. We also discuss clients worldwide, offices in Europe and the US, and their plans for development.

This is an excerpt of the episode published on Sunday. When I first heard about Ramp Network, two things impressed me: the youth of the founders and their ability to surround themselves with senior profiles, as well as their investors and their ability to deliver in an regulated and increasingly changing environment. This start-up, which already employs 160 people, provides a powerful fiat <> crypto toolkit that enables anyone - from established brands to blockchain pioneers - to easily onboard their next million users into web3. Since 2018, they’ve been building and improving their core on-ramp and off-ramp products to take web3 mainstream in a secure and compliant way, boasting an impressive track record with 40+ fiat currencies supported, 90+ supported cryptoassets, availability in 150+ countries, and $134 million in funds raised. During this discussion with Szymon, you will discover the vision they have, use cases, including that of Sorare. We also discuss clients worldwide, offices in Europe and the US, and their plans for development.

After extensive searching within Sequoia, I finally connected with George, who generously shared his insights about many many subjects. He joins me for an in-depth discussion on Sequoia's growth in the European tech sector. We dive into a range of topics, starting with the structure of Sequoia and exploring the reasons behind its decision to expand into Europe. The conversation then shifts to current and future trends in Fintech, highlighting their focus in this area. Particularly noteworthy are our discussions about two significant deals: Trade Republic and Pennylane. These examples provide a glimpse into Sequoia's investment strategies and successes in Europe. We also touch on the mafia phenomenon in Europe and the emergence of the companies originating from European scale-up mafias. Finally, we cover the Sequoia Scouting Program, with a special focus on the Arc Programme. This initiative supports pre-seed and seed-stage founders who are in the early stages of developing their ideas, products, and companies.

This 200th episode is not just a simple celebration. It also symbolises a retrospective, a look back at the significant trends, fruitful collaborations, and, above all, the skills and qualities of all the outstanding entrepreneurs I've had the chance to interact with. I will talk about how I got started, the soft skills I rediscovered, the trends I followed, and the entrepreneurial lessons I learned. Expect a journey through time, a deep dive into what "Finscale" has discovered, shared, and celebrated. I'm excited to share this synthesis with you. Thank you for joining me on this adventure, and I wish you an excellent listening experience for this special episode of "Finscale". And as I say every week, I'm counting on you to rate this episode on podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcast. It's also a way for me to get feedback.

This is an excerpt of the episode published on Sunday. After extensive searching within Sequoia, I finally connected with George, who generously shared his insights about many many subjects. He joins me for an in-depth discussion on Sequoia's growth in the European tech sector. We dive into a range of topics, starting with the structure of Sequoia and exploring the reasons behind its decision to expand into Europe. The conversation then shifts to current and future trends in Fintech, highlighting their focus in this area. Particularly noteworthy are our discussions about two significant deals: Trade Republic and Pennylane. These examples provide a glimpse into Sequoia's investment strategies and successes in Europe. We also touch on the mafia phenomenon in Europe and the emergence of the companies originating from European scale-up mafias. Finally, we cover the Sequoia Scouting Program, with a special focus on the Arc Programme. This initiative supports pre-seed and seed-stage founders who are in the early stages of developing their ideas, products, and companies.