_{IN PARTNERSHIP WITH}

Hey, fintech fam! 💜

Happy Halloween! While most of us are still unwinding from the whirlwind of Money20/20, I’m already full speed ahead for the next leg of the Fintech Feminists opening book tour!

Up next: San Francisco.

Mark your calendars for November 12 because this isn’t just another event. This is the Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit—where we’re rewriting the rules, one deal and one dream at a time.

Here’s what’s in store:

🎤 A powerhouse lineup of investors primed to back the next wave of women-led innovation

💥 Game-changing founders redefining what’s possible in fintech

💸 Hands-on masterclasses in deal-making, growth, and scaling up

It’s all about building an industry where women innovators thrive, and a sustainable fintech future is born. Are you ready to be part of it?

👉 Grab your spot here.

_{SPONSORED BY SHOPIFY}

Take Control of Your Finances—Without the Overwhelm

Ladies, we all know that managing a business can feel like juggling a hundred different tasks at once—especially when it comes to finances. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by complicated systems, jumping between platforms just to keep track of payments, taxes, and cash flow.

But imagine if all your financial tools lived in one place. That’s exactly what Shopify just made possible with their new Shopify Finance suite.

Shopify Finance is a centralized hub that brings together everything from payouts and cash flow to bill payments and tax management. And the best part? It’s built directly into your Shopify admin. 

No more bouncing between different systems or spending hours tracking down numbers—it’s all in one dashboard, accessible right where you run your business.

With real-time insights at your fingertips (literally, through the mobile app), you can make quicker, smarter decisions—whether you’re in the office or on the go. 

It’s about more than just convenience; it’s about giving you the financial control you need to lead your business with confidence.

Because let’s be honest—our time is too valuable to be wasted on outdated, complicated financial systems. 

So, to all the women business leaders out there, if you’re ready to take your company’s financial management to the next level, it’s time to take a closer look at what Shopify Finance has to offer.

Your business deserves it.  

#TRENDING

What’s Up In Fintech

Every Thursday, I deliver the hottest fintech news and trends, keeping you updated with the most essential insights impacting the industry.

Editor’s Note: For today’s stories, I’m bringing you exclusive insights from the Fintech Feminists Book Launch Brunch at Money20/20, where our powerhouse speakers dished on the trends that just keep on trending.

#1 Breaking Borders in Fintech—A Look at Cross-Border Payment Innovation

Cross-border payments have long been a thorn in the side of fintech innovation, constrained by outdated banking systems and high regulatory walls. Jessica Olivera, Product Marketing lead at Convera, explains why this corner of the industry is undergoing a much-needed revolution and how it’s setting the stage for greater global financial inclusion.

By the Numbers:

• 122 million: The number of unbanked adults in Latin America alone. Globally, over a billion people remain unbanked, highlighting a huge gap in financial access.

• 8 million: Even in the U.S., the unbanked population remains significant, especially impacting rural and lower-income areas.

• 100+ currencies and 200+ countries: Convera’s extensive reach, working to simplify payments for underbanked markets through partnerships with fintechs, educational institutions, and corporate partners like midsized and community banks and credit unions.

The Challenge: Many financial systems still run on outdated infrastructure, some over a century old. This legacy system wasn’t designed with today’s tech-driven, fast-paced market in mind, let alone with the needs of startups or fintechs. According to Olivera, innovation in this space is essential for unlocking financial inclusion in regions that traditional banking overlooks or simply can’t reach.

Fintech’s Response: To tackle these limitations, fintech firms are focusing on new technologies like AI, blockchain, and digital wallets. By providing real-time, secure, and low-cost payment methods, these innovations are paving the way for a more equitable financial landscape.

For instance, mobile wallets now enable micro-businesses in remote areas, like the women-led ventures in rural Oaxaca, Mexico, to accept digital payments—making participation in the global economy a reality, even for small-scale entrepreneurs.

The Impact on Inclusion: As fintech firms like Convera expand access to financial services, communities previously disconnected from global finance are gaining a foothold.

In the words of Olivera,

“This movement is about more than just faster payments; it’s about building an inclusive and fair system for everyone, not just in well-served areas but across the globe.”

#2 Can AI Bridge the Inclusion Gap? A Look at Leveling the Workplace

Artificial Intelligence is being touted as a game-changer for workplace equality, with the potential to tackle longstanding issues like the wage gap, gender bias in promotions, and access to capital.

However, as Saira Rahman, VP of New Investor Initiatives at Fundrise, highlights, AI’s impact on inclusivity will only be as effective as the data driving it. Rahman offers a candid look at AI’s potential—and the real risks if it’s not handled with care.

By the Numbers:

• 18%: The percentage of AI researchers who are women. Increasing diversity in AI development is key to building systems that reflect broader experiences and needs.

• 20% pay gap: The wage gap between men and women in the U.S. hardly changes, according to Pew Research Center. AI could help identify and reduce discrepancies in compensation—but only if biases aren’t baked into the algorithms.

• $7 billion: Estimated cost savings per year that AI could generate for small businesses through process efficiencies and reduced barriers to entry. For women entrepreneurs, this means a more accessible pathway to starting and scaling a business.

Challenges in AI Development: Despite AI’s potential, it’s still largely shaped by the biases and assumptions of its developers. Rahman notes that “garbage in, garbage out” remains a very real issue, as models trained on biased data can perpetuate or even worsen inequities. However, the rise of ethics teams and the inclusion of women and underrepresented groups in AI development are paving the way for more balanced algorithms.

A Vision for Fairness: Rahman envisions a future where AI can disrupt traditional, male-dominated networks by making promotions, mentorships, and funding merit-based.

Imagine a world where performance data—not gender or personal connections—determines career advancements and investment opportunities.

“Imagine your next promotion not depending on who’s in your network but rather on what you’ve accomplished,” Rahman says. “That’s a game-changer for women.”

The Entrepreneurship Boom: As AI lowers costs and removes barriers to entry, women entrepreneurs are finding new footholds, especially in sectors like healthcare, where outcomes for marginalized populations are often overlooked. With AI-powered tools, women can start companies at a fraction of the traditional cost, potentially bypassing traditional, male-dominated venture networks.

The Bottom Line: AI’s potential to democratize opportunities is immense, but only if inclusivity is built into every stage of development.

Rahman stresses the importance of education and mentorship among women in AI:

“It’s not just about understanding the technology; it’s about creating a network of women who are shaping it, ensuring we have voices in the systems that will drive future workplaces.”

#3  Investing in Resilience—Supporting Fintech Founders Amid Economic Shifts

As economic uncertainty shapes today’s venture capital environment, fintech founders face intensified scrutiny from investors, making qualities like resilience and innovation crucial.

Bukie Adebo Umeano, Investment Principal at Anthemis, sheds light on what it takes to stand out and secure funding in this challenging landscape—especially for early-stage founders with minimal data to back them up.

By the Numbers

• $30 billion: Venture capital investment in fintech declined to $30 billion in 2023, marking a decrease from the 2021 peak, reflecting more cautious investor behavior in uncertain markets.

• 67% drop: The decline in global VC funding between 2021 and 2023 highlights a more risk-averse climate, with investors focusing on companies demonstrating solid, long-term potential.

• 5X potential: Despite this, fintech remains one of the fastest-growing sectors, with cross-border payments and AI applications projected to grow fivefold over the next decade, giving resilient founders a promising market to target.

What Investors Want: Umeano highlights two standout traits that early-stage fintech founders need to capture attention. First is the ability to inspire and “convince people to do irrational things”—whether that’s convincing top talent to leave stable jobs or early adopters to try a brand-new product.

In essence, founders need to be charismatic leaders who can attract talent and early users with nothing but a vision and sheer determination.

Second, a unique perspective is essential. Given her sector-specific focus, Umeano says,

“The best pitches are the ones where I walk out and I’ve learned something.”

This could be a fresh take on an existing problem, an innovative go-to-market strategy, or a distinctive business model. In today’s climate, having a solid product is no longer enough; founders need a compelling insight that resonates with the investor’s vision for future growth.

Invisible Finance—The Next Phase: Umeano and the Anthemis team see a new wave of innovation emerging in “invisible finance,” where financial services are seamlessly embedded and intuitive, responding automatically to user actions.

This shift builds on recent infrastructure improvements, such as advancements in stablecoin payments and digital rails for cross-border payments, creating a strong foundation for fintech growth.

Umeano believes this will enable “programmatic, more intelligent financial services” to enhance user experience and efficiency in both consumer and business finance.

Equity in Investing: The current funding climate is tough on all founders, but underrepresented groups face added challenges. Umeano emphasizes intentional strategies to promote diversity in sourcing and rethinking traditional risk assessments.

For instance, studies show that women founders are often questioned more rigorously about risk mitigation, while men are encouraged to discuss growth potential. Anthemis uses a standardized template to address this bias to ensure consistency in investor questioning, reducing bias and supporting a fairer evaluation process.

The Takeaway: For fintech founders looking to secure funding, resilience, a unique perspective, and the ability to inspire others are essential. And with initiatives aimed at promoting equity, firms like Anthemis are working to make sure that diverse voices in fintech have a seat at the table—even in a challenging economy.

_{MARK YOUR CALENDARS}

Join us every Thursday to keep up with the best fintech events! These events are perfect for meeting people, learning new things, and connecting with our fintech community. Let's add these fun events to our schedules - I hope to see you there!

_{TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12}

[SAN FRANCISCO] Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit: San Francisco

Get ready to hear from an incredible lineup of founders, investors, and thought leaders, including:

• ​Asya Bradley – Serial Founder, Super Angel Investor

• ​Emily Luk – Co-Founder & CEO, Plenty

• ​Laurel Taylor – Founder & CEO, Candidly

• ​Naseem Sayani – Venture Partner, How Women Invest

• ​Dan Rosen – Founder & General Partner, Commerce Ventures

…and more top innovators in fintech!

Spaces are limited, and demand is high—don’t miss your chance to join us for a day filled with insights, connections, and opportunities to help shape the future of fintech. Secure your ticket today and come ready to turn bold ideas into actionable partnerships!

_{THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14}

That’s right, we’re going to HARVARD.

​✨ What to expect:

​• Live Podcast Recording: Be part of an intimate conversation with fintech’s leading women

​• Book Signing: Receive a personalized, signed copy of Fintech Feminists.

​• Q&A and Networking: Connect with like-minded peers and gain actionable advice from industry leaders

​📍 Location: Harvard University

​🎟 Open to: Female students and innovators interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, and fintech.

​🍣 Sushi will be provided

​Don’t miss this chance to learn from those leading the charge for gender equity in fintech! Save your spot here.

BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER - THE ACADEMY OF FINTECH

It’s time to close the gaps holding women in fintech back—from funding to authority to visibility. The Academy of Fintech is where women unite to rewrite the rules and build a future where we lead and thrive.

Inside, you’ll get:

• Powerful daily networking with game-changing women in fintech

• Mentorship from industry leaders

• Career coaching and media amplification to boost your profile

• Exclusive courses to level up your expertise

We’re not here for temporary connections—we’re building a movement. Ready to lead fintech’s future with a community dedicated to your success?

_FINTUNES

🎵 Olivia Rodrigo - all-american bitch

I can hardly wrap my head around the fact that the next time I write to you, it’ll be election day. Honestly, it’s giving me more chills than a haunted house on Halloween! Speaking of throwbacks, remember this hit? And oh, have you caught Olivia’s new Netflix special? It’s a ton of fun!

_{LET’S CONNECT}

📰 Share this newsletter with a friend and start growing your network.

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

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

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

Love,

Nicole 💜