FinTech LIVE: Digital Ecosystems Forum

Canapi Ventures’ Lulu Chang, First Horizon Bank’s SVP, Head of Virtual Bank & Fintech Tyler Craft, and Able AI’s Founder Diego Represas, discuss innovation and investment in financial digital ecosystems from FinTech LIVE New York.

After the investment boom in fintech throughout 2021, VC funding has slowed significantly. But what does this mean? Is it a worrying sign for the future of sustained investments, or is it merely a reflection of broader market trends and a more stable investment market? 

Our panellists give their take.

The Digital Ecosystem Forum: Innovation & Investment

For Canapi Ventures Chang, while she feels some concern about the drop in venture deals, she does not feel the issue is too extensive. 

“As ever, venture capital is very cyclical, and I think there’s so much opportunity in fintech to continue innovating. 

“Our mission at Canapi is to find great fintechs like Able AI, to partner with banks like First Horizon, and find real opportunities to bring the financial services ecosystem further forward into the future.”

For Able AI’s Represas: “VC cycles are part of a healthy economy. Whenever the cycle takes a downturn, it has negative repercussions for individuals or organisations, but it actually has positive repercussions for the system as a whole.

“As a founder, there are still lots of reasons to be optimistic.”

First Horizon Bank’s Craft adds that as long as banks have needs to meet, there will always be a big role for fintechs. 

“Traditional banking has a lot of needs to make the lives of customers better and make their businesses operate more effectively. 

“This drive has not changed, despite the fact we have partnered with the likes of Able AI, there are still many opportunities that can be tapped into. 

“I think this is true for many banks, so I can’t see demand for fintech going away anytime soon.”

For more from Chang, Represas, and Craft, you can watch the video above.

And, to watch any of our other speakers from Fintech LIVE New York, and our interviews from Money20/20 Europe, click the link HERE.  

You can also look at our upcoming events, FinTech LIVE London and InsurTech LIVE, coming your way in November and October respectively.