Insight with Jean-Stéphane Gourévitch, CEO, Mobile Convergence Systems

What is the most impressive fintech start-up you’ve come across in the past 12 months and why?

Loot: Going from strengths to strengths soon to launch international development.
Mobillity: An exciting intelligence financial management solutions going from strengths to strengths.
AIMO/Lifesymb: Amazing solution dealing with skeletal muscular issues management. Strong links with insurers.
Monsenso: Amazing mobile app/solution dealing with mental health issues and strong links with insurers.

What would you rank as the top 3 challenges faced by start ups and scale ups as they plan for growth?

1) Access to funding.

2) Strategic nimbleness to be able to adapt business model and be very reactive.

3) Brexit that could severely hamper funding, scaling up across Europe and ability to access flexible regulatory models.

Are we any nearer to seeing the full impact of Brexit on the fintech sector? If so, please share your view on what the best outcome for the fintech sector would resemble?

Brexit could severely hamper funding, scaling up across Europe and ability to access flexible regulatory models. The slowdown of funding in the UK FinTech scenes, many major banks announcing plans to relocate outside the UK, THE MANY QUESTIONS on regulatory front are worrying signs.

Where do you think London ranks now, among the various global fintech hubs?

Still number 1 but losing position fast now with possibly Paris and other European cities growing considerably.

Do you believe there is more or less collaboration between fintechs and financial institutions than there was three years ago? Please comment or give examples if you are able to.

There is more although competition is also increasing particularly in retail. InsurTech is a different situation as partnership and collaboration between startups and market players is the norm. But it is starting to be the case in FinTech too although one could be slightly worried about major incumbents collaborating with startups to remove a competitive threat.

Please indicate which technology has the most potential to transform the financial services industry:

Artificial Intelligence.

Based on your experience, what advice would you give to young entrepreneurs starting their careers in fintech?

Put customers first and provide solutions that respond to their concerns and pain points. Also, don't neglect B2B and think about how you could develop solutions that may be beneficial to incumbent AND ultimately to their customers.

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