The Ensemblex
Exchange Podcast
Thought-provoking conversations with credit and fintech founders, builders, and investors.
Shawn Budde, credit industry veteran and co-founder of Ensemblex, is joined by the most interesting people in fintech, from seasoned experts at big-name firms to innovators building the next generation of start-ups. They share their stories and their on-the-ground perspective of the challenges and trends shaping fintech: AI hype, investors' outlook on fintech, emerging markets, the promises versus realities of the latest tech, evergreen wisdom on managing fraud and risk, and more. Entertaining, inspiring, and practical - tune in to The Ensemblex Exchange Podcast biweekly on all major platforms.
Subscribe Now
S1E5
Banking on Fintech? Investors’ POV on Fintech’s Big Reset
Fintech's rout has been painful. In 2023, fintech venture funding was down 44% year-over-year, and for many of the fintech giants, stock prices dropped over 80% from their peak. How did we get here, and will investors still touch fintech?
On today's episode, Kwesi Acquay of Redpoint Ventures and Noah Breslow of Bain Capital Ventures share their outlook on the fintech hype cycle, what qualities make a fintech investable in today's environment, and their predictions for AI's impacts on the industry (are we at the beginning of another hype cycle?)
S1E4
Improving Access to Capital, From Military Evacuees to SMBs
A polyglot with a degree in Slavonic Studies, spurred by the 2021 military evacuation of over 100,000 Afghans to the U.S. to streamline SMB access to capital — Alex McLeod's career path isn't traditional. Motivated by a passion for increasing access to resources and a willingness to lose weekends, Alex is a three-time founder. She currently leads Parlay, a software platform that improves SMB lending at community banks and credit unions. She joins Shawn to discuss the inefficiencies and chaos inhibiting SMB access to capital, mission-driven careers, and whether it's ever a good idea to co-found a company with your partner.
S1E3
Wrangling Data (and the zoo): Stories From a Repeat Founder
Start-up life is exciting, demanding, and occasionally bizarre. You may find yourself working from the bathroom or partying with monkeys, lemurs, and camels. So did Stephanie Hanson, today's guest and an indefatigable entrepreneur building her second company, Gestalt. We chat about the challenges of growing a start-up — finances, hiring, and creating a strong culture — and squeezing lots of life in around long work hours.
S1E2
Credit Cross-training: Navigating Differences and Universal Credit Truths in Brazil
Emerging markets are full of exciting fintech career opportunities. Pack your bags. Actually, don’t — you’ll Zoom in. On today’s episode, we hear from two U.S. credit execs who joined Brazilian fintechs: Rob Kottmeier, formerly Nubank’s Head of FP&A, and Geoff Thiessen, formerly a VP at Creditas. We discuss the logistics of commuting over 4,000 miles, cultural differences and the importance of breaking for lunch, and how “cross-training” in a new market sharpens your skills.