The HiveMind Interviews: Sharing the secrets of successful Fintechs

jamesbarkert
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Building sustainable Fintech companies isn’t easy. Selling is more complex and risk-driven, decision making is syndicated, and sales cycles are longer. Delivering product requires more resilient and expensive engineering, and the market it crowded. I wanted to explore how to build a commercially successful Fintech from every perspective; from the buyer, through product and across sales and marketing. Revenue isn’t simply a ’sales’ challenge - it only happens when the entire machine is working perfectly. Let’s unlock the secrets together with my guests.

  1. 10/20/2025 · VIDEO

    Stephen Lemon on Fintech’s Harsh Lessons and Big Breakthroughs

    In this episode of Hivemind, Stephen Lemon, co-founder of Currency Cloud, shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs of building a fintech company. He reflects on the importance of product market fit, the role of APIs in innovation, and the significance of strategic partnerships. Stephen also emphasizes the lessons learned from near failures, the value of organizational health, and the current trends in fintech investment, particularly in the context of AI and evolving business models.   ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 The Journey of Currency Cloud 05:57 Navigating Growth Phases and Product Market Fit 12:05 The Role of APIs in Fintech Innovation 18:00 Building Strategic Partnerships 24:04 Lessons from Near Failures 30:03 Organizational Health and Team Dynamics 35:54 Current Trends in Fintech Investment 41:50 The Future of AI and Business Models

    48 min

  2. 09/29/2025 · VIDEO

    The Entrepreneurial Journey of David Brear and 11:FS

    David Brear is the co-founder and CEO of 11:FS, the consultancy and venture builder reshaping how financial services think about digital. Known for his mantra that “banking is only 1% finished,” David is one of the most recognized voices in fintech, helping institutions reimagine products, services, and customer experience for a digital-first world.   David shares the story of leaving corporate life to start 11:FS at the height of the FinTech boom, bootstrapping the company, and building a multi-disciplinary business spanning consulting, product development, and media. The conversation dives into the challenges of scaling a startup while maintaining agility, why content and thought leadership became a growth engine for their early business, and how they use podcasts and storytelling to punch above their weight against incumbents like Deloitte and McKinsey.   Listeners will gain insight into: The mindset shift from corporate to founder life Bootstrapping versus raising capital and funding growth organically Building a company culture based on empowerment and action How content marketing and podcasting can become a powerful go-to-market strategy The future of FinTech and why digital banking is “only 1% done”   This episode is perfect for founders, sales leaders, and anyone in financial services looking to understand how to scale a business, create an authentic brand voice, and build meaningful relationships with clients in a changing industry.

    45 min

  3. 09/25/2025 · VIDEO

    From CEO to Startup, with Goran Bosankic of Field 39

    In this episode of Hivemind, host James Barker is joined by Goran Bosankić, former CEO of ABC Tech and co-founder of Field39. Together, they unpack the evolution of fintech, explore the fallout from the 2021 hype cycle, and dive deep into what’s next for digital banking platforms. Goran offers hard-won insights from building and leading tech companies through crises, speaks frankly about AI’s true impact on financial services, and shares cultural and strategic lessons from years of leadership.   Whether you’re selling into banks or navigating the complexities of product-market fit in fintech, this episode delivers clarity, candor, and strategy from someone who’s been on the inside. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Fintech’s evolution post-2021: hype vs reality 06:30 – Building a digital bank: vendor chaos & regulatory landmines 10:30 – AI in banking: transformative tech or dangerous shortcut? 18:00 – Data quality & AI hallucinations 23:00 – Are “out-of-the-box” digital banking platforms still viable? 32:00 – Regulatory priorities and why innovation takes a backseat 35:00 – Taking over ABC Tech at the start of COVID: a leadership trial by fire 39:00 – Remote work: hybrid wins in the long run 42:00 – Painful lessons in leadership: saying no, cutting “oak trees” 51:00 – Sales vs marketing: where to invest when selling to banks

    49 min

  4. 07/15/2025 · VIDEO

    Hivemind talks to Irene Sandler on Targeted B2B Marketing, AI’s Role in Content, and Connecting with Buyers

    In this conversation, Irene Sandler, CMO of Mechanical Orchard, discusses the importance of understanding market fit and the critical problems that need solving for startups. She emphasizes the role of AI in modernizing legacy systems and the need for clear messaging to target audiences. The discussion also covers the challenges of B2B marketing in the age of AI, the evolution of LinkedIn, and the significance of advocacy in building trust. Sandler highlights the changing landscape of SEO and the importance of clear communication in marketing. The conversation concludes with insights on the attention economy and the challenges marketers face in the coming year.   Chapters 00:00 Understanding Market Fit and Critical Problems 03:06 The Role of AI in Modernization 05:51 Target Audience and Messaging Strategies 08:48 The Impact of AI on B2B Marketing 11:49 The Evolution of LinkedIn and Its Challenges 15:09 Advocacy and Trust in Marketing 17:56 The Future of SEO and AI Search 20:53 The Importance of Clear Communication 23:58 Navigating Product Market Fit 27:14 Sales and Marketing Alignment 30:05 Metrics and Performance in Marketing 32:56 Attention Economy and Organic Content 36:08 Challenges Ahead for Marketing Strategies

    39 min

  5. 06/11/2025 · VIDEO

    Building Griffin: The Developer-First Bank Built by Engineers, with David Jarvis Founder of Griffin Bank

    What happens when a D&D-playing data scientist decides the banking industry needs a developer-first overhaul? In this episode of The Hivemind, I speak with David Jarvis, co-founder and CEO of Griffin, the UK’s platform bank built for fintech builders. We dive deep into David’s unconventional path to becoming a founder—from flunked coding interviews to launching one of the most talked-about infrastructure banks in Europe. We unpack Griffin’s self-serve product philosophy, the future of embedded finance, and why David thinks salespeople are optional (but helpful). For fintech operators, B2B SaaS founders, and anyone scaling in a regulated space, this one’s full of sharp takes, hard-won insights, and no-BS stories from the trenches.   Timestamps / Chapters:   00:00 – Cold Open: “If you describe yourself as a game changer…” 01:20 – Meet David Jarvis: Fintech operator, failed coder, founder 03:40 – Griffin’s origin story and early pivots 06:38 – Why “the bank you can build on” is evolving 08:20 – Building for developers: No demos, just APIs 10:00 – The self-serve roadmap: Stripe-style onboarding for fintech 14:50 – Branding, tribes, and ClearBank shade 17:00 – Griffin’s ideal customer profile (and who’s not) 20:15 – Why mature financial firms are slow adopters 22:15 – Climbing the credibility ladder 24:45 – The role of luck (and regulation) in early traction 27:40 – Fundraising lessons and investor shoutouts 32:20 – CEO lessons: Overpromising, board friction, and trusting your gut 34:17 – Final thoughts: resilience and responsibility

    35 min

  6. 05/28/2025 · VIDEO

    HiveMind: Rewriting the Rules of Business, with Octopus CEO Simon Rogerson

    Discover how Simon Rogerson, co-founder of Octopus Group, turned 15,000 cold calls into a £13 billion financial powerhouse by challenging industry norms. Insights on entrepreneurship, purpose-driven leadership, and scaling innovation. In this episode of James Barker’s Studio, we sit down with Simon Rogerson, the entrepreneurial force behind Octopus Group—one of the UK’s most innovative financial services companies, now managing over £13 billion in assets.   Simon shares how he and his co-founders launched Octopus with a mission to challenge the stale, self-serving norms of the financial industry. You’ll hear how they: Started out with a rebellious mindset and zero industry baggage Built a purpose-led culture that underpins every Octopus venture Scaled their impact across energy, healthcare, and real estate sectors   From venture capital to ethical investing, Simon breaks down what it really takes to build a fast-growth company without losing your soul.   Keywords: Simon Rogerson, Octopus Group, UK fintech, financial services innovation, startup culture, ethical investing, purpose-driven leadership, scale-up story, James Barker podcast   Listen if you want to learn: How to disrupt a legacy industry Why purpose beats profit in the long run The secrets behind Octopus’s startup-to-scaleup journey 🧭 Chapters   00:00 – Intro & Context – Meet Simon Rogerson and the radical mindset behind Octopus. 04:12 – Starting Octopus with No Experience – Why inexperience was their greatest advantage. 10:45 – Culture as a Superpower – The no-assholes hiring rule and why culture trumps strategy. 17:30 – Scaling with Purpose – Growth driven by impact, not just profits. 25:40 – Innovation at Octopus – How Octopus keeps launching bold new ventures. 32:50 – Why Most Companies Are Scared of Standing for Something – The business risk of playing it safe. 38:15 – Advice to Founders – Building something meaningful instead of just big. 45:00 – The Future of Octopus – What’s next for the group’s ever-growing ambitions. 48:33 – Closing Reflections – Simon’s personal philosophy on leadership and legacy.

    51 min

  7. 04/30/2025 · VIDEO

    Unlocking the Potential of Open Banking, with Simon Lyons

    In this episode, James Barker and Simon Lyons explore the real story behind Open Banking — from its origins to the complex market dynamics shaping its future. We dive into key trends in fintech, payments, credit scoring, consumer behavior, and corporate banking innovation. Whether you're a fintech enthusiast, startup founder, or corporate strategist, this conversation will challenge the way you think about Open Banking and its long-term viability. What You’ll Learn: - Why Open Banking was originally created to drive competition and better consumer choice. - How SME businesses have benefitted from open banking, especially in accounting and bookkeeping. - Why accuracy in payment processing is a game-changer. - The challenges of monetizing Open Banking in the UK due to free banking models. - Why Open Banking hasn’t replaced traditional players like Visa and Mastercard. - How low-cost competitors complicate open banking sales dynamics. - Predictions about consolidation, failures, and acquisitions in the Open Banking vendor landscape. Key Takeaways: - Education for corporates is crucial for the success of Open Banking. - Strategic acquisitions may be critical to the future of the sector. - Open Banking primarily benefits the corporate sector, not individual consumers. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Open Banking 01:28 - Understanding Open Banking: History and Purpose 03:57 - Initial Expectations vs. Current Reality 10:06 - The Evolution of Credit Scoring and Lending 12:31 - The Role of Open Banking in Business Payments 16:41 - Challenges in the Open Banking Landscape 22:42 - The Impact of Competition and Pricing 29:43 - Sales Dynamics in Open Banking 37:48 - Future Outlook for Open Banking 41:48 - Closing Thoughts + Endscreen

    41 min
  8. The Journey of Building a Bank & a Fintech, with Steve Britain

    03/17/2025 · VIDEO

    The Journey of Building a Bank & a Fintech, with Steve Britain

    What does it really take to build a bank from the ground up? In this episode of The HiveMind Podcast, I sit down with Steve Britain, co-founder of Monument Bank and CEO of Monument Technology, to discuss scaling fintech, regulatory hurdles, and the future of banking technology.   From securing a banking license to navigating fundraising and launching a new tech company, Steve shares invaluable lessons on resilience, product-market fit, and the hidden challenges of selling into financial institutions. If you’re a fintech founder, investor, or banking innovator, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss!   ⏳ Time Chapters 00:00 Intro – Welcome to The HiveMind Podcast! 01:40 The Monument Bank Journey: How It All Started 02:42 Scaling Monument: £1B to £5B in Assets Under Management 03:19 The Banking License Process: What Founders Need to Know 05:20 Fundraising & Regulatory Challenges: The Hidden Risks 07:36 Surviving in Fintech: Why Endurance Matters More Than Innovation 09:35 The Role of COVID in Remote Banking & Technology Development 12:58 Attestation & Regulatory Burdens for New Banks 14:33 How Vendors Sell to New Banks: The Reality of Long Sales Cycles 16:33 Fintech Innovation: Has Regulation Slowed It Down? 19:37 How Interest Rate Changes Impact New Banks & Their Growth 22:06 Why Some Neobanks Fail While Others Thrive 24:39 The Birth of Monument Technology: A New Opportunity 26:00 Legacy Banking vs. Modern Cloud Solutions: The Market Gap 30:47 The Realities of Selling Tech to Banks: What Founders Need to Know 33:03 Steve’s Advice to Founders: How to Succeed in Fintech 34:57 Outro & Final Thoughts

    35 min
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About

Building sustainable Fintech companies isn’t easy. Selling is more complex and risk-driven, decision making is syndicated, and sales cycles are longer. Delivering product requires more resilient and expensive engineering, and the market it crowded. I wanted to explore how to build a commercially successful Fintech from every perspective; from the buyer, through product and across sales and marketing. Revenue isn’t simply a ’sales’ challenge - it only happens when the entire machine is working perfectly. Let’s unlock the secrets together with my guests.

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