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Hey, Fintech Fam! 💜

Did you know that women are half the world's population but receive less than 2% of funding and are featured in only about 25% of media stories?

I wrote Fintech Feminists to amplify visibility, create more opportunities, and drive growth—for ourselves, our businesses, and the entire industry.

But Fintech Feminists is not just a book — it’s a movement. And I need your help.

Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Pre-order your copy here (because supporting each other is where it all starts).

2. Share it loud on social: Have you pre-ordered? Post what you’re excited about, tag me, and I’ll make sure to amplify your message. 📣

3. Join us at exclusive events: I’ve got opportunities to network, speak, and connect with industry leaders (Reply to this email to buy books and tell me which event you want to speak at):

🥂 Oct 22: Book Launch Party (NYC) RSVP here.

🎤 Oct 28: Humans of Fintech Live Podcast & Book Signing at Money 20/20 (Las Vegas) (I’m looking for speakers and a book sponsor to join me at the big event!)

💸 Nov 12-13: Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit (San Francisco ~200 attendees)

📚 Nov 14: Fintech Is Femme at Harvard University (Boston)

🏆 Dec 9: The FEMMYs: Fintech Is Femme Award Show (NYC)

Let’s collaborate and make fintech more female, together. 👑

Now, onto today’s story…

INNOVATION

Creating New Systems And Patterns

Let’s take a trip back to 2007. The iPhone had just hit the market, but something much bigger was brewing—financial services were on the cusp of a digital revolution. 

Enter Amy Nauiokas. 

With over a decade of Wall Street experience, Amy had a gut feeling that the world of finance was about to get a serious upgrade. But this wasn’t just a feeling—it was a calculated vision, and she had the foresight to bet big on what we now call fintech.

The 2008 financial crisis? It was just the fuel she needed. 

As the banking system faltered, Amy saw the perfect storm to push financial institutions to modernize.

And while others hesitated, Amy acted. She didn’t just talk about what was coming next—she built it. 

Fast forward to today, Amy’s company has raised over $1.1 billion in assets under management and has backed more than 200 companies that are shaping the future of finance.

Curious how she pulled it off? Let’s break it down. 

From Wall Street to Fintech Pioneer

Amy’s early days were spent in the traditional world of Wall Street, where she quickly climbed the ladder at Barclays. 

By age 36, she was leading Barclays’ global e-commerce business and serving as CEO of their retail brokerage division. She had a seat at the table—a rare spot for women at the time—and she made sure to use it.

Even then, she was sounding alarms: “We need to digitize the markets and overhaul financial services.”

Wall Street wasn’t ready to listen. Amy’s calls for change were met with skepticism. Banks dismissed her concerns, while their rigid systems faltered under the weight of the looming 2008 financial crisis. But while they were focused on survival, Amy was focused on transformation.

Betting Big on the Future

In 2010, Amy left traditional Wall Street and co-founded Anthemis Group with Sean Park. 

Their goal? To transform the financial services industry from the inside out by investing in fintech startups that would become the next generation of financial tools.

Here’s where Amy’s strategy gets next-level: Anthemis didn’t raise capital through the traditional Limited Partner (LP) model. Instead, they built Anthemis as a platform and holding company, initially funding investments themselves. 

This allowed them to remain agile, investing capital when needed and taking early bets on fintech companies before “fintech” was even a thing.

By 2016, Anthemis had evolved into a full-scale asset management business, and that’s when things really took off. Anthemis raised $1.1 billion in assets under management and established its place as a market leader in the fintech investment space.

Here’s what sets Anthemis apart from the rest:

Early-Stage Investing in Fintech Titans – Amy bet early on companies like Betterment, eToro, Currency Cloud, and Carta. These companies are now household names in the fintech space, with combined valuations that reach billions. Amy didn’t just invest in the future—she helped build it.

Diversified Portfolio – Anthemis isn’t just focused on one sector. The firm invests across banking, asset management, capital markets, and insurance, as well as innovative sectors like embedded finance. Anthemis has backed over 200 fintech companies that have reshaped industries worldwide.

ESG Leadership – Long before “environmental, social, governance (ESG)” became a buzzword, Anthemis prioritized virtuous-cycle companies. Their approach? Invest in businesses that prioritize financial inclusion, sustainability, and equity. Fifty percent of Anthemis’ portfolio companies are led by women or founders of color, positioning the firm as an early ESG leader.

Key Milestones 

Seed Funding for Fintech Powerhouses – Anthemis made early-stage investments in key players like Betterment (now managing $30 billion in assets), eToro (valued at $8.8 billion), and Carta (valued at $7.4 billion). These companies were pivotal in shaping how consumers manage money, invest, and even pay taxes. Amy’s strategy? Invest early and nurture innovation from the ground up.

Expanding Access for Female Founders – In partnership with Barclays, Amy launched the Female Innovators Lab in 2019, starting with a $15 million fund dedicated to female fintech founders. By 2021, the fund had grown to $50 million, becoming the largest fund solely focused on women-led fintech startups. Anthemis has doubled down on this strategy, backing underrepresented founders at a time when just 2% of venture funding goes to women.

Scaling Anthemis Asset Management – By 2022, Anthemis had built a comprehensive asset management business, deploying $1.1 billion across more than 200 fintech companies. They also raised $700 million in December 2021 to support pre-seed through Series B startups focused on embedded finance—a sector they predicted would dominate fintech’s next wave. And they were right.

3 Takeaways for Fintech Founders & Investors

1. Raise Smart, Raise Early

Amy didn’t follow the traditional route when it came to raising capital. Anthemis started with internal funding and evolved into a billion-dollar business without relying on traditional LP structures. The lesson? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to raising money. Founders should consider alternative capital structures that allow for more flexibility.

2. Bet on What Others Don’t See (Yet)

Anthemis invested in fintech before it was a trend. From Betterment to eToro, Amy identified the market potential in these companies long before the buzz. If you’re a founder or investor, ask yourself: are you spotting opportunities before they become obvious? The most successful investments are often those that are overlooked by the mainstream.

3. Put Diversity at the Core of Your Investment Strategy

Anthemis’ commitment to investing in women and diverse founders isn’t just good for PR—it’s good for business. Diverse teams are proven to outperform homogeneous ones, and the data supports it. Fintech founders and investors should prioritize diversity—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it drives innovation and ROI.

From Skepticism to Success

Amy Nauiokas didn’t just watch the rise of fintech—she orchestrated it.

From her early warnings during the 2008 financial crisis to building a billion-dollar portfolio, her journey is a masterclass in resilience, foresight, and the power of investing in what others might overlook.

While traditional financial institutions continue to play catch-up, Amy and Anthemis have already set the standard for the future of finance. 

So, here’s your call to action: What overlooked opportunities are you betting on in fintech? 

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or innovator, the next billion-dollar idea could be right in front of you—if you’re willing to see it.

Are you loving Amy’s story? Join us in NYC for the Fintech Feminists book launch party, where Amy will share her wisdom live for a fireside chat with me! Don't miss out—reserve your spot now and be part of the excitement.

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_{WTF ELSE?}

• Digital Payment Research Report 2024: Global Market to Grow 

• HBO documentary may expose Bitcoin creator's secret identity 

• Fintech OpenBB aims to be more than an 'open source Bloomberg Terminal' 

• Which Aspect of VC Fintech Funding is Rising?

_{I WANT IT, I GOT IT}

• 🎙️ Today’s Listen: Vice President Kamala Harris has made a powerful appearance on Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper. She engaged in a real discussion on one of the most pressing topics in today's campaign: women.

• 🌍 Today’s Award: NYC Fintech Women has opened nominations for the Inspiring Fintech Females 2024! I was honored to receive this award in 2022, and it has been a significant driver of my networking and success in the industry. Be sure to nominate yourself (or a woman who inspires you)!

_FINTUNES

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_{LET’S CONNECT}

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That’s all for now! See you Thursday!

Love,

Nicole 💜