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Hey, fintech fam! 💜

The year is already picking up speed—and I’m here for it! As I start locking in my spring schedule, I’m gearing up to speak at Fintech Meetup and Trybe in Las Vegas (see you there?)

But honestly, nothing compares to what’s coming next: we’re about to host the largest Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit yet. I’m talking about game-changing vibes, and the feedback from last year’s summit: “Best event I’ve ever attended” is just the beginning.

I’m this close to announcing the venue (hint: it’s double the size of last year’s summit) and our first lineup of speakers. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.

And if you missed it, here’s a recap at last year’s magic. It was powerful.

Scroll down for early bird tickets—you know you want to be there.

Alright, let’s dive in. There’s a lot to unpack.

#TRENDING

What’s Up In Fintech

Every Thursday, I bring you the latest fintech news and trends, delivering the key insights that matter most to the industry—and you.

#1 How Fintech Can Unlock a $32 Trillion Opportunity 

A recent Fortune article by Olivia Walton, founder and CEO of Ingeborg Investments, has reignited the conversation about a $32 trillion opportunity to serve the world’s most underserved market: women.

In her piece, Walton underscores how businesses have been leaving money on the table by failing to address the unique needs of women. As Walton puts it:

“Closing the gap isn’t about fairness; it’s about inefficiency and opportunity. After all, does anyone really believe women have only 2% of the good ideas?”

In fact, according to BCG, the opportunity to serve women is worth $32 trillion—an astonishing figure that showcases the massive potential awaiting those who can tap into this market.

Yet, there’s a catch: many businesses, especially in fintech, have consistently failed to offer products and services that genuinely resonate with women. 

This gap represents a huge opportunity and a glaring oversight—one I’ve documented in this newsletter, my Forbes contributor column, and my new book, Fintech Feminists. 

Women in Fintech: Leading the Charge

Among those tackling this head-on are women-led fintech companies innovating solutions to fill this void.

As financial wellness emerges as a $2.8 trillion market in employee well-being, women in fintech are already working to bridge the gap. 

Take Kelsey Willock Jones and Courtney Cardin, the founders of Aura Finance, a fintech app that combines financial wellness with behavioral finance.

Their mission isn’t to eliminate financial worries but to support individuals in managing their finances in a more holistic, therapy-like way.

As Willock Jones explains, money isn’t just about clearing debt or reaching a specific status; it’s a continuous journey of understanding and managing one’s relationship with money.

Similarly, Erin Papworth and Maia Monell of Nav.it have created a platform to improve financial wellness by embedding personalized financial tools directly into the workplace.

With 65% of Nav.it’s users being women, the platform empowers employees by giving them resources for savings, expense organization, and community-driven financial coaching.

Ami Kumordzie, founder of Sika Health, is an example of another fintech founder addressing this gap.

Having raised $6.2 million in a round led by Forerunner Ventures, Kumordzie’s platform connects consumers with IRS-compliant merchants, bringing innovation to the fintech space from a fresh perspective—one that aligns with women’s real-world needs.

Another example: Hey Mirza, co-founded by CEO Siran Cao and COO Mel Faxon, addresses the fragmented U.S. childcare market, simplifying eligibility and automating subsidy applications.

Their platform helps match parents with available childcare funds, enabling greater workforce participation.

This service notably supports employees by reducing childcare-related absences, which significantly contributes to lost productivity, making it an innovative fintech solution in the broader women-focused economic landscape.

The Shift

By 2030, women are set to inherit $30 trillion from the baby boomer generation—a massive shift that is being dubbed “the feminization of wealth” by fintech company Ellevest. 

In fact, Ellevest predicts that by 2030, women will control a significant portion of the global wealth. The rapid rise of women-led companies, like Ellevest, Tala, and CreditRich, has shown how fintech can be a powerful tool to address women’s financial needs across various income brackets. 

Yet, despite these strides, Deloitte research shows that women still make up less than 30% of the fintech workforce, with only 8% holding leadership roles.

To unlock the full potential of this $32 trillion market, fintech companies need to ensure that their leadership teams reflect the needs and experiences of women.

Bottom Line: 

Ultimately, the future of fintech lies in recognizing the distinct needs of female consumers and leaders. To fully harness this $32 trillion opportunity, it must recalibrate its approach to include more women at the decision-making table.

As Walton concludes, “Women aren’t going to wait to be granted equity; we will increasingly build it for ourselves.”

So, whether you’re a VC, an entrepreneur, or an investor—now is the time to bet big on women. 

The future of fintech is female, and it’s here to stay.

#2 Navigating Global Uncertainty With World Economic Forum’s Latest Report 

As the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos draws near, global economists are bracing for a turbulent year ahead. 

According to the latest Chief Economists Outlook, the global economy faces considerable challenges in 2025, with 56% of chief economists predicting economic conditions to weaken. 

The World Economic Forum’s report highlights heightened uncertainty across key regions, suggesting that fintech founders and business leaders must prepare for a landscape that could shift dramatically, especially as global fragmentation intensifies.

Understanding how global pressures will influence business operations, trade, and investment strategies will be critical in a year that promises a mixture of opportunities and risks. 

In particular, the data points from the Chief Economists Outlook offer a roadmap for fintech entrepreneurs and business leaders navigating an increasingly uncertain and fractured economy.

Leverage Short-Term U.S. Growth

While the global outlook is grim, the U.S. economy is set to see short-term momentum. 

In fact, 44% of economists predict strong U.S. growth in 2025—up significantly from just 15% last year.

This newfound optimism is tied mainly to anticipated stimulus efforts and rising wages, which could be fertile ground for fintechs targeting consumer spending and wage-driven financial products.

This provides an exciting window of opportunity for fintech founders in the U.S. market.

The potential for increased disposable income among Americans—bolstered by stimulus programs and wage growth—could drive demand for innovative financial services, from credit access to financial wellness tools.

However, this optimism must be balanced with caution. Most economists (97%) expect rising public debt levels, and 94% anticipate higher inflation, which could trigger volatility in the long term. 

Fintechs that are nimble, adaptable, and focused on products that cater to inflation-hedging or cost-saving solutions will be better positioned to weather future economic shifts.

Prepare for Global Fragmentation

One of the key takeaways from the World Economic Forum’s report is the predicted fragmentation of global trade, with 94% of economists expecting the global flow of goods to become increasingly disrupted over the next three years.

Rising protectionism, conflict, sanctions, and national security concerns will drive this shift.

This fragmentation could signal the need to rethink cross-border strategies for fintech companies. 

While the financial sector is expected to experience less fragmentation than other sectors (48% of economists predict it), the impact of geopolitical tensions and trade barriers on cross-border payments, remittances, and financial data transfers is undeniable. 

Fintech leaders must develop innovative ways to operate within this more fragmented global trade landscape, such as building solutions that facilitate more efficient international payments, currency exchange, and trade financing.

The growth of regionalization—expected by 82% of economists—also offers fintech companies a chance to localize their services and tap into emerging markets. 

In this context, fintech founders with solutions for small businesses, cross-border transactions, and localized financial services may have a competitive advantage in the shifting global economy.

Collaboration Is Key

The Chief Economists Outlook emphasizes that fostering collaboration will be crucial in addressing the economic strain and uncertainty ahead.

For fintechs, this sentiment of collaboration aligns with the growing trend of open banking, API integration, and partnerships between tech firms, financial institutions, and even governments.

Startups that focus on collaboration rather than competition—by forming strategic alliances with banks, insurance companies, or even non-financial businesses—will likely find themselves better positioned to thrive in the future economy.

This collaborative spirit can also be seen in the rise of fintechs tackling global issues like financial inclusion, cross-border payments, and climate change, all aligning with the World Economic Forum’s broader goals of inclusivity and sustainability.

Focus on Inclusivity and Accessibility

Rising barriers to labor mobility and an increasing shift toward regional markets are expected to limit opportunities for many workers across the globe.

With 75% of economists predicting higher barriers to labor mobility and nearly two-thirds forecasting constraints on technology and data transfers, fintech companies must respond with solutions that address the growing financial insecurity many workers face.

In particular, fintech founders should look to develop financial products that support remote workers, gig economy participants, and those whose careers are disrupted by geopolitical tensions.

Solutions that provide portable benefits, savings tools, and financial security in an increasingly fragmented labor market will not only cater to a rising need but can also help drive employee well-being—especially among women disproportionately affected by labor market instability.

Build for Resilience

While 48% of economists expect global trade volumes to increase in 2025, protectionism and rising barriers will complicate the global marketplace.

For fintech founders, resilience will be the key to surviving in a shifting economy. Those who build adaptable, future-proof business models—particularly those that can withstand the pressures of trade barriers, supply chain disruptions, and the uncertain impact of rising geopolitical tensions—will come out ahead.

Fintechs focusing on sustainable business models, innovation in cross-border payments, and financial services for underserved populations will have an opportunity to lead the charge in an increasingly fragmented global economy.

Bottom Line: 

While the global economy faces challenges, the fintech sector remains poised to play a critical role in driving the future of growth.

Founders who understand the need for adaptability, collaboration, and inclusivity will not only navigate these challenges but can unlock new pathways to success.

As the world converges in Davos next week to discuss collaboration for the intelligent age, fintech leaders should be ready to innovate to drive economic growth and positive societal change.

#3 Fintech Is Fueling of Small Business Finance

According to a new report by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), fintech is one of the fastest-growing financing avenues for small businesses. From loans to retirement plans, it’s changing how MBEs access capital.

Fintechs are rapidly closing gaps for MBEs—particularly for women, minorities, and immigrant-owned businesses—that traditional banks have long ignored.

For example, 32% of non-employer firms (many of which are minority-owned) seek capital through online lending platforms, compared to 22% of employer firms.

“Fintech offers new gateways to non-traditional capital sources that can benefit MBEs, who face barriers accessing traditional finance,” said Eric Morrissette, MBDA Under Secretary.

Key Example

Entrepreneur Jean Smart is using fintech to tackle a personal pain point—creating accessible retirement savings plans for small business owners, especially those in marginalized communities.

The Backstory:

Smart’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t by accident.

Raised in a family of Korean immigrants running small businesses, she saw firsthand the struggles of financial instability. Despite decades of hard work, her parents didn’t have retirement savings, and she’s determined to change that for others.

After spending years in corporate America and navigating the complexities of finance, Smart pivoted during the pandemic, leveraging her Wall Street experience to launch Penelope, a fintech platform offering affordable retirement plans for small businesses with fewer than 20 employees.

Her Target Audience: Small businesses, especially those owned by women, minorities, and immigrants.

Penelope’s Approach: A simplified, cloud-based 401(k) platform that avoids complex jargon and high fees—helping small businesses offer affordable, employee-friendly retirement solutions.

“For my parents, their retirement plan was centered around their children. I don’t want that for my own family,” Smart says.

The Big Picture

Small businesses represent 44% of U.S. economic activity, and minority entrepreneurs—especially immigrants—are playing an outsized role in creating jobs and generating economic growth.

But, as seen with Penelope, there’s a critical need for modern financial solutions that can serve these businesses without being prohibitively expensive.

Smart’s vision isn’t just about providing retirement plans; it’s about creating generational wealth for employees who otherwise wouldn’t have access to such benefits.

Her platform’s low-cost subscription model and flat fees make it feasible for businesses of all sizes to provide retirement benefits.

The Impact: Penelope’s approach aims to save employees hundreds of thousands over their working lives by eliminating hidden fees and unnecessary complexity.

From Wall Street to fintech, Smart has many key insights that help her navigate entrepreneurship:

1. Embrace the Power of People: Fintech can be a game changer for small businesses, especially when leveraging technology to simplify complex processes. The real opportunity lies in creating solutions that empower people, not just profit from them.

2. Start with the Problem: When she started Penelope, she didn’t just think about building a product—she thought about the people who would benefit from it.

Small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities, have unique needs. By identifying these, we could create something truly transformative.

3. Perseverance Pays Off: Raising capital was a grind, but she approached it like a math problem—meet with 100 investors, do the work, and don’t let rejection stop you. You can’t afford to take it personally; you just have to keep going.

4. Disrupt with Purpose: In fintech, there’s always a chance to disrupt outdated models. Many legacy systems are clunky and expensive, but with the right mindset, technology can provide a faster, cheaper, and more accessible alternative for small businesses.

5. Financial Education is Key: Empowering people to understand the basics of personal finance and retirement planning is essential. If we want people to invest and save, we need to meet them where they are—making finance simple, accessible, and less intimidating.

_{MARK YOUR CALENDARS}

Join us every Thursday to keep up with fintech events!

_{WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23}

[NEW YORK] Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit

​We’re back, and we’re coming in hot!

After 40 sold-out live events, the Fintech Is Femme team is gearing up for something huge—the second annual Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit 2025.

If you thought our inaugural summit in 2024 was a game-changer, wait until you see what we have in store this year.

25 powerhouse speakers. 300 trailblazing attendees.

For 2025? We’re taking it to an entirely new level—bigger, bolder, and absolutely unforgettable.

Ready to level up?

This isn’t your average summit. It’s a career-shifting, boundary-pushing experience designed to accelerate your success.

Expect:

• Exclusive insights from fintech’s most disruptive leaders

• High-energy networking with a curated crowd of go-getters

• Fireside chats that’ll spark your passion and fuel your drive

• Expert-led panels full of actionable advice you can’t get anywhere else

• Performance coaching to crush your next milestone

And don’t miss the Evening of Storytelling—it’s going to be legendary.

Early bird tickets are flying fast—only 30 left! Don’t wait—secure your spot today and save big before they’re gone.

_{FRIDAY, JANUARY 24}

[NEW YORK] Community Soirée: The Academy of Fintech 

The Academy of Fintech’s first-ever members event is here.

In just one week, we’re bringing together a group of bold, like-minded leaders for an intimate, fireside-style evening inspired by Gloria Steinem’s legendary living room discussions—where powerful conversations flow, connections are made, and insights are shared.

Hosted at the beautiful home of Lule Demmissie, former CEO of eToro US, this will be the perfect setting to meet incredible people, dive into meaningful dialogue, and leave feeling more inspired than ever.

With 50+ amazing members already shaping our community, we’re opening up a few more spots to invite even more passionate, visionary voices to join us.

Apply now to get on the waitlist and secure your place in this exciting new chapter of fintech leadership.

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🎤 Host an epic event by booking me as a speaker, moderator, or emcee.

📚 Increase your expertise by ordering your copy of my book, Fintech Feminists: Increasing Inclusion, Redefining Innovation, and Changing the Future for Women Around the World.

⭐️ P.S. If you’ve read Fintech Feminists (or listened to the audiobook!), I’d be so grateful if you could take 30 seconds to leave a review or rating on Amazon here. Your support means the world to me. A million thanks in advance!

That wraps up today’s edition—thanks for reading! Until next week, keep innovating and challenging the status quo. See you Tuesday!

Love,

Nicole 💜