Insight with Susanne Chishti, CEO, FINTECH Circle

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

The HUB (http://thehub.exchange/) who provides private platforms connecting professional investors to new opportunities, in their organisation and other leading networks using our tech. They are less than 3 years old and signed London Stock Exchange up as partner and investor.

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

1) Finding the best talent including enough female team members to improve diversity

2) Find product/market fit and a good scalable business & revenue model

3) Access to funding

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?

We don't know yet what Brexit will mean for Fintech as conversations have not yet started in sufficient detail.

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

London is and will remain one of the global leading fintech hubs worldwide.

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.

Collaboration between fintechs and financial institutions has increased significantly. Best example is Barclays which set up its Rise Community worldwide with co-working spaces inviting open innovation.

Outside of fintech which company (launched within the last ten years) do you admire the most and why?

The Gates foundation for focusing on the 2.5 billion unbanked and trying to focus on developing global standards for national and international payments via mobile phones. This is the 1st step to help users build up a credit score which then allows them to get access to more financial products.

Please indicate which one of the following four technologies have the most potential to transform the financial services industry; cloud, blockchain, artificial intelligence or internet of things:

Blockchain

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

Go for it! Now is the time to change banking and insurance!

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