Blog

Apr
12

Emily Wilcox: Practifi’s Australian COO disrupting the American fintech space

Rising through the ranks of the crowded and male-dominated world of finance and technology, financial services firm Practifi’s COO Emily Wilcox recently spoke with Eric Dye on EPN–the Enterprise Podcast Network—about her emerging role within the field, how fintech is developing and what the future holds for CRMs and women in the financial services sector. Speaking from her new-found home in Chicago, Emily started off by detailing her experience with Practifi, and what it was that led her to a career in the fintech space. Having been with Practifi for just over five years, Emily recalled how she was one of the very first employees in the team. Her journey […]
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Apr
12

HashChing outlines new funding plans

The COO of digital mortgage marketplace HashChing has revealed the company is repeating last year’s fundraising exercise after failing to achieve its $5m target. Last May, HashChing attempted to use equity crowdfunding space Equitise to raise $5m in a month and a half. Interested investors could back the fintech for as little as $250. However, according to COO and board advisor Siobhan Hayden, the funding round was not successful. “We believe it was a demographic issue,” she said, explaining that the younger crowds that inhabit online crowdfunding spaces are drawn to more glamorous investing opportunities than those in the mortgage industry. The funds were intended to be used for new […]
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Apr
11

Bitcoin isn’t a boy’s club, women just aren’t getting involved

by Chantelle de la Rey, Amber co-founder, product owner and lead designer. A common question I get asked is ‘why is Bitcoin a boys’ club’? And ‘how do you cope with being a female in three male-dominated spaces?’ Well, let me ask you some questions. Why do you think it is a boy’ club? Why haven’t you as a female entered the Bitcoin or digital-currency space? Why haven’t you bought Bitcoin? Please comment below or send me a message via social media telling me your ‘why’. Here are some common responses. ‘I don’t know enough about the space.’ ‘It doesn’t interest me.’ ‘Way too volatile.’ ‘OMG the news says Bitcoin […]

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Apr
11

KPMG: Australia’s AltFin sector worth $1B

KPMG, an advisory and audit company, has released numbers that say Australia has a 32 percent share of the APAC alternative finance market, according to reports. The market has grown 88 percent year over year and it’s worth a total of $1 billion, the company said. This news comes in advance of the fourth edition of the AltFi Australasia Summit, which will take place in Sydney at the Doltone House on April 15. “This is the perfect time for challenger banks to enter the market. Through the use of technology and data we can provide our customers with greater control and transparency, and competitive rates,” said Volt Bank Co-Founder and […]

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Apr
11

Blockchain incubator set to bolster Australian industry

Australia’s first incubator program dedicated to helping blockchain startups get their businesses up and running will be established in Adelaide. South Australian blockchain advisory firm Crypto SA has been awarded A$170,000 from the Federal Government to open the Crypto SA Lab in September. The incubator program will offer 10 blockchain startups free co-working space and mentoring services. The businesses have already applied for Crypto SA Lab and are currently in the vetting process. Program entrepreneurs will also receive blockchain technology training and broader business advice on how to run a startup. Crypto SA is an advisory firm that provides blockchain businesses information surrounding legal and financial compliance, smart contract support, […]

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Apr
11

Unique marketplace driving alternative finance

The fourth annual AltFi Australasia Summit is approaching, with alternative finance leaders convening to discuss the future of the industry on 15 April. “Alternative lenders are currently facing a unique convergence of market happenings: reduced trust in traditional lenders, the upcoming shift to open banking, and the impending introduction of comprehensive credit reporting,” said the global CEO of alternative lender OnDeck, Noah Breslow. The 2018 Deloitte Trust Index for Banking revealed that less than half of Australians trust that their personal bank will keep its promises, and only 36% feel that their bank has their best interests at heart.  According to Breslow, “This has created an opportunity to capture an […]

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Apr
11

Australian FinTech company profile #4 – Gobbill

1. Company Name: Gobbill 2. Website: www.Gobbill.com 3. Key Staff: Shendon Ewans (CEO & Co-founder), Quentin Marsh (CTO & Co-founder) 4. Location(s): Melbourne based, Australian company. 5. In one sentence, what does your fintech do?: Automate bill payments by extracting invoice details, checking for fraud and paying using card or bank accounts.  6. How / why did you start your fintech company?: The co-founders were in a pub talking about the idea after missing some bills. We wanted to make our life admin easier, then Gobbill was used by our families and friends. It grew from there. 7. What the best thing your company has achieved or learnt along the way (this can […]

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Apr
10

ASX-listed fintech Peppermint launches ‘Bizmoto Delivers’ micro-business pilot program in the Philippines

Peppermint Innovation Ltd (ASX: PIL) advises that a pilot of its Bizmoto Delivers micro-business program has commenced in the Philippines. The program officially started in the province of Cavite last week (Friday, 5th April), with the first 15 BizmoGo riders accredited to build their own micro business using Peppermint’s Bizmoto technology platform combined with a motorcycle that allows them to provide services to the people of the Philippines via a mobile phone app. The Bizmoto Delivers pilot program will also roll out in Novaliches, Bulacan and Pangasinan over the coming few weeks – with approximately 60 BizmoGo riders expected to be engaged in the Bizmoto Delivers trial. The pilot program […]

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