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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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 Banking01:28 - Understanding Open Banking: History and Purpose03:57 - Initial Expectations vs. Current Reality10:06 - The Evolution of Credit Scoring and Lending12:31 - The Role of Open Banking in Business Payments16:41 - Challenges in the Open Banking Landscape22:42 - The Impact of Competition and Pricing29:43 - Sales Dynamics in Open Banking37:48 - Future Outlook for Open Banking41:48 - Closing Thoughts + Endscreen

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

💡 How do businesses really succeed in sales today? In this episode of The HiveMind Podcast, I sit down with Anthony Bream, a seasoned go-to-market strategist, to uncover the biggest sales and marketing mistakes, how buyer behavior is shifting, and why aligning sales, marketing, and product is critical for long-term growth.   🚀 We cover practical strategies to fix your GTM motion, improve forecast accuracy, and understand how enterprises really buy—so you can close bigger deals, faster.   ⏳ Time Chapters   00:00 Intro – Welcome to The HiveMind Podcast! 01:37 What Are the Biggest Go-To-Market Mistakes? 05:31 Right People, Right Time: Why Hiring Mistakes Hurt GTM 08:36 Why Sales Training Fails: The Missing Buyer Perspective 13:46 The Sales & Marketing Misalignment Problem 16:58 How to Build a Stronger Brand Presence as a Small Company 23:36 Scaling Challenges: How Growth Can Break Your Business 26:20 The Changing Role of SDRs & Outbound Sales 33:36 The AI Debate: When Should Sales & Marketing Use AI? 40:35 Enterprise vs SMB Sales: Where AI Helps and Where It Fails 45:38 CRO vs CSO: Who Should Own the Revenue Engine? 51:31 Is Revenue a Sales Problem or a Product Problem? 53:02 Outro & Final Thoughts

I talk to Nigel Verdon about his entrepreneurial journey, including 3 companies with exists and 1 unicorn. Nigel is an engineer by trade and you can see this in how he approaches company building. I don't think I've spoken to another founder with such a clear and elegant understanding of all the moving parts. You'll understand why when you watch the episode. - Succession planning and how he knew when to step back - The importance of developer experience in selling technology and how developers don't want to talk to salespeople - Why the innovation wave has finished in Fintech, for now.. - Understanding the buyer and building a product they need    

Joakim, the founder of Minna Technologies, shares his journey from the inception of the company to its acquisition by MasterCard. He discusses the challenges of being a founder, the importance of co-founders, navigating fundraising, and the complexities of selling to banks. Joakim emphasizes the significance of understanding customer needs, the transition from B2C to enterprise sales, and the lessons learned from international expansion. He also reflects on leadership changes and offers advice for aspiring founders.

David Ferguson is the CEO of SECCL, a new wealth tech company. He joins me to talk about their growth journey as part of Octopus group, and why creating happy customers that are your biggest fans is the ultimate growth hack.

Most companies spend tens of thousands on SEO, Adwords and Events, but don't invest in a channel with massive reach that's totally FREE.  Justin and George are the Batman and Robin of LinkedIn content and share their thoughts on why so many execs are missing out.

What is the reality of creating a Fintech from nothing and getting it to a strong product-market fit? Mast has successfully challenged the legacy lending origination space and is growing quickly - but it's not been easy. CEO, Joy Abisaab shares his experiences from the journey of building Mast. 

Banks and technology vendors are constantly tripping over obstacles that are easily avoided, if we're paying attention. I talk to Leda about the realities of selling to, and buying, technology in banks and financial services. Listen to our conversation to understand and avoid the mistakes that too many make.

There are lots of founders but very few successful exits. I talk to the founder of DUCO on his journey from incepting a business, scaling it and finally handing over in a planned succession. Christian is one of my favour

Launching a B2B technology business is difficult, but infrastructure and category creation make it doubly-complex. Ivan Maryasin, CEO of Monite, talked with me about their journey including How they made a BIG pivot, Creating a fully remote company, How they hire the best talent, and Fine-tuning a GTM strategy

The KYC market is established and even quite crowded, but Sumsub has had remarkable success in this area, reaching significant scale and profitability after only 2 rounds of funding. But what's their story? I talked to Ilya about, Picking a niche, being in the right place at the right time, their product-led approach to growth 

I invited Ewan Back for a second round to discuss AI Chatbots, the role of content in connecting with prospects and building brand, and what does anyone mean when they say 'Fintech'. A broad ranging discussion or 'fintech rant'. Join us for our two cents.

2023 was a tough year. With the end of ZIRP leading to a funding challenging environment, the whole industry had to reset on the new reality. But what did that mean for the roles being hired and the profiles needed? This is just one of the things Dexter and I discussed in this episode.