December summary!

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If you missed out on the Voice of FinTech podcast episodes Voice of FinTech podcast in December, here is your roundup! You can listen to all the episodes on the Episodes pages of this website or when you subscribe to your favorite podcast apps under Subscribe.

Tokenization of commercial real estate with ABC FinTech's CEO, Matt Andelman

Matt Andelman, CEO and co-founder of ABC FinTech, an investment platform for tokenized private assets based in Chicago, IL, United States,  spoke to Rudolf Falat, founder of the Voice of FinTech podcast, about the benefits of using tokens to invest in commercial real estate and other private assets.

Here is what they covered:

  • Matt's journey toward entrepreneurship - with focus on commercial real estate

  • What is ABC FinTech about?

  • Why should one invest in commercial real estate with the ABC FinTech platform, leveraging blockchain?

  • Is the current way of investing in commercial real estate not working?

  • How can one invest in commercial real estate without being an accredited investor

  • Who are ABC FinTech's key clients? Many companies these days talk about customer centricity. What does it mean for Matt

  • How does ABC FinTech make money? What is your business model?

  • What are plans for your business going forward, scaling ambitions?

  • Favorite sources to learn from on LinkedIn: Red Swan and its CEO, Ed Nwokedi, Dave Hendricks, CEO of Vertalo, a digital asset ecosystem and platform Akru, a blockchain-based platform for fractionalized real estate investing.

  • Check out ABC FinTech's Wefunder page

FinTech and e-commerce - investor perspective with David Yang from Activant Capital (USA)

David Yang, Partner at Activant Capital, a NY-based VC firm, spoke to Rudolf Falat, founder of the Voice of FinTech podcast, about e-commerce, FinTech, marketplaces trends and related investments. 

  • David's backstory

  • Activant Capital's introduction

  • Key themes that Activant follows: e-commerce, FinTech, and marketplaces

  • US vs. Asia online commerce

  • Will the next generation of neobanks be more than newly-packaged legacy infrastructure but provide real opportunities to bring financial services to more people?

  • How to unbundle Amazon’s superpowers (1-click checkout, same-day shipping) and enable more merchants with this disruptive technology?

  • Investment success stories and investment approach

  • Check out David Yang's LinkedIn profile and Activant Capital website to find out more

Asia Pacific Series with Chia Jeng Yang 谢征阳: Building open banking in Southeast Asia with Jakob Rost, CEO of Ayoconnect (Indonesia)

In this episode of the Asia Pacific Series, hosted by Chia Jeng Yang, we speak to Jakob Rost, founder of Ayoconnect, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, about building the Open Banking infrastructure of Indonesia.

We focus on the following:

  • Building payments infrastructure in Southeast Asia

  • Succeeding as a Southeast Asia Founder in a regulated market

  • How Ayoconnect positions itself as the Plaid for Southeast Asia

SportsTech Special: Helping tennis players to get an edge using VR technology with Bob Tetiva, CEO of SenseArena and Yannick Yoshizawa, VP for tennis

Bob Tetiva, CEO of SenseArena, Prague, Czech Republic, headquartered Sportstech start-up, and Yannick Yoshizawa, VP for tennis, spoke to  Rudolf Falat, founder of the Voice of FinTech podcast, about their VR training tool for tennis and ice-hockey and how it helps professionals and amateurs to get an additional edge. 

Here is what they talked about:

  • Bob, Yannick – what are your backgrounds? How did you get to be at a juncture of sports and technology? 

  • SenseArena started with VR tools for ice hockey and now tennis. What’s the problem you are solving?

  • How does it work? Is the focus on physical, technical, or mental improvement? 

  • Many sports, including tennis, are increasingly competitive, and players are looking for an additional edge to boost their chances of success. Even though it’s an individual sport, tennis players now travel with teams, often including psychologists or mental coaches. How does your tool differ from what human coaches or team members can offer? 

  • How do you differ from other analytical tools (racket sensors, video tracking)? 

  • While digital transformation and VR or metaverse received a boost during the pandemic, wouldn’t you be afraid that enthusiasm for VR can fade as the restrictions are being relaxed and people can practice on the court? 

  • Is your solution meant for professionals or amateurs, or both?

  • I understand that a US pro, Jennifer Brady, tried your tool and explained that it’s not a game. Conversely, could an amateur use it in a game like virtual tennis on Meta / Oculus?

  • VR headsets are getting better but are still quite heavy. How long can you train with Sense Arena’s tool? 

  • Tennis coaches sometimes widely disagree about how their players should play – for example, Richard Williams advocated for an open stance with his daughter’s coaches. Can you customize your approach using your tool, or do you drive towards a single viewpoint? 

  • The prize money has been steadily rising in tennis and endorsements. Still, even as prize money distribution has improved a little to benefit lower-ranked players, it’s a costly sport. What is your business model – how do you make money? 

  • What is the best way to reach out and learn about SenseArena? Website: SenseArena, and LinkedIn: Bob Tetiva and Yannick Yoshizawa

Don't invest in art, invest in an artist with Marine Tanguy, CEO of MTArt Agency

Marine Tanguy, CEO of MTArt Agency, spoke to Rudolf Falat, founder of the Voice of FinTech podcast, about disrupting the way visual artists get discovered and represented so they get the best value for their efforts and talent.

Here is what they talked about in more detail:

  • Marine - how did you get to what you do these days?

  • You said in a recent interview in The Times that you believe “it’s a thousand times riskier’ being an artist than an entrepreneur.” Why?

  • Visual artists are traditionally discovered through agencies and art fairs and represented by agents. Why do you think the current process needs an upgrade?

  • What is MTArt Agency? How does it work?

  • What is your focus? What kind of art? Hint: traditional, modern, digital, special effects, and events?

  • How did you start and continue to grow to the current state?

  • What is your view on bringing visual arts to people’s homes, such as Netgear´s Meural Canvas?

  • How do you make money for the artists and yourself?

  • Favorite business book: The Great CEO Within: The Tactical Guide to Company Building

  • Further reading about an artist represented by MTArt Agency here.

  • What’s the best way to reach out: Marine Tanguy (LinkedIn) or MTArt Agency (website)


If you have suggestions for topics or guests on the show or have ideas about how to make this podcast better for you, please e-mail us at info@voiceoffintech.com. Alternatively, you can also leave a voicemail here.

Keep safe!

Sincerely,

Rudolf Falat