FintechTalks

In this (first ever remote!) episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib Kalita sits down with Kareem Saleh, founder and CEO of FairPlay, to discuss the evolution of AI-driven underwriting and the importance of fairness in financial decision-making. Kareem shares his journey from applying machine learning in emerging markets to launching "Fairness-as-a-Service," enabling lenders to increase approval...

In this episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib sits down with Rakefet Russak-Aminoach, former CEO of Bank Leumi and current Managing Partner at Team8, to discuss her journey from banking to fintech and the transformative potential of technology in financial services. Rakefet shares insights from her leadership in driving Bank Leumi’s digital transformation and leading Team8 Fintech, a unique venture grou...

In this episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib Kalita talks with Shivi Sharma, Co-Founder of Kaaj, about her journey from traditional financial services to launching a fintech startup. Shivi shares her background in credit and fraud risk at American Express, Uber Payments, and Varo Bank, and how it led her to create Kaaj, which streamlines the small business lending process using advanced data analysis....

In this episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib interviews Leif Abraham, Co-founder of Public, an investing platform aimed at the next generation of long-term investors. Leif shares his entrepreneurial journey, from selling a freelancing payments software to Fiverr to creating Public. He explains how Public differentiates itself by focusing on building a trustworthy platform for significant investments, i...

In this episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib Kalita chats with John Beccia, Co-founder & CEO of FS Vector, about helping fintechs navigate the fast-moving intersection of innovation and regulation. John shares his journey from lawyer and banker to early crypto adopter at Circle, and how that experience led him to launch FS Vector. He dives into critical topics like the future of banking-as-a-servic...

In this episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib Kalita chats with Daniel Webber, Founder & CEO of FXC Intelligence, about building the definitive data platform for the cross-border payments industry. Daniel shares his path from global consulting to launching FXC, after realizing that while fintechs were solving how to move money, no one was solving how to measure it. He unpacks how FXC’s insights now...

In this episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib Kalita sits down with Rocky Motwani, Co-founder and CEO of Cyphlens, to talk about fintech, cybersecurity, and building businesses at the edge of innovation. Rocky shares his journey from JP Morgan MD to co-founding the only fintech to acquire a Federal Reserve bank charter—and now launching Cyphlens, a next-gen cybersecurity platform bringing encryption to...

In this episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib Kalita sits down with Theodora Lau, founder of Unconventional Ventures, to talk about AI, financial wellness, and why technology isn’t always the answer. Theo shares her unconventional journey—from chemical engineering and telco to podcasting, venture building, and writing her third book, "Banking on Artificial Intelligence." She reflects on a pivo...

In this episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib Kalita sits down with Marty Ringlein, Co-founder and CEO of Agree.com, to talk about the evolution of digital agreements, the future of embedded finance, and building products that shape behavior at scale. Marty shares his journey from computer science and design to co-founding multiple startups acquired by Twitter, Eventbrite, and Brex—and now launching Agr...

In this episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib Kalita sits down with Liza Landsman, CEO of The Points Guy, to talk about scaling trusted consumer platforms, leading through innovation, and navigating the next wave of AI and loyalty. Liza shares how her background in consumer finance, high-growth tech startups, and venture capital shapes her approach to building mission-driven businesses. She discusses ho...

In this episode of FintechTalks, Sanjib Kalita sits down with Jay Levy, Partner at Zelkova Ventures, to talk about early-stage investing, founder-market fit, and how AI is reshaping the venture landscape. Jay reflects on nearly two decades in VC, why backing the right people matters more than the perfect product, and how today’s founders can build more with less. He breaks down how AI is lowering...