Through a thematic table of contents, Fintech Feminists: Increasing Inclusion, Redefining Innovation, and Changing the Future for Women Around the World takes readers on a journey that unveils the profound impact of the fintech industry on our global economy, fueled by the inspiring stories of women leaders who play an integral role in reshaping the financial landscape. Written by Nicole Casperson, an award-winning journalist and leading figure in the fintech sector, this book delivers actionable strategies and insights to navigate the fintech industry, drive positive change, and contribute to the ongoing transformation of the digital era.
In this book, readers will find stories from women such as: - Shivani Siroya, Founder and CEO of Tala, showing how she communicated her vision to investors effectively, emphasizing its market potential, social impact, and alignment with emerging industry trends - Lule Demmissie, CEO of eToro US, explaining how she successfully navigated corporate environments by building supportive networks and advocating for diversity - Sallie Krawcheck, Founder and CEO of Ellevest, revealing negotiation tactics that enable successful women entrepreneurs in fintech to secure funding
Fintech Feminists: Increasing Inclusion, Redefining Innovation, and Changing the Future for Women Around the World delivers a roadmap for success to women in fintech, along with all business leaders and entrepreneurs who seek to thrive in an evolving and inclusive financial landscape.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Becoming a Fintech Feminist 6
What to Expect 13
Notes 16
Chapter 1 What the Fintech? 17
A Brief Fintech History 23
Fintech’s Mass Adoption Moment 29
Entrance into Cultural Consciousness 30
Rewriting Money Narratives 31
Financial Illiteracy Exposed 38
Be a Trojan Horse 39
Bitcoin’s Brief Glory 43
Reclaiming My Time 45
AI: Fintech’s New Paradigm of Growth 48
Open Banking and Generative AI 51
The Women Who Kicked Down Fintech’s Doors 52
Notes 56
Chapter 2 Get In, We’re Rescuing the Economy 65
Betting On Black 66
Consumer Fintech Is Alive and Well 69
How Women Became a Growth Market 71
Harnessing the Power of the Female Dollar 72
How Hard Is It to Raise a Series B? 80
You Can’t Wait to Have Fun 87
Unlocking the Care Economy 90
AI for Chief Household Officers 95
Tapping into Wealth Tech 100
Ten-Year Overnight Success 103
Notes 108
Chapter 3 Defying the Odds 113
Why Women-Owned Start-ups Are a Better Bet 115
More Disparity than Diversity 117
A Brief History of the VC Bro 121
Creating New Systems and Patterns 124
From Overlooked to on Trend 128
Increase the Swell of Female Founders 132
Network Effect 133
Tapping into Latina-Owned Businesses 136
Birth of a Super Angel 138
Investing in Women’s Health 151
Notes 153
Chapter 4 Financial Health Is Health 157
Necessity Is the Greatest Catalyst for Innovation 158
Hiding the Vegetables 159
Understanding Financial Behaviors 162
The Megaphone of Identity 164
Exercise Daily 166
Making Personal Finance Apps - Personal 169
Fearlessly Funding Females 175
Mental Health Meets Fintech 178
Product Inclusion - In Reality 180
Fintech for the Female Gaze 183
Notes 189
Chapter 5 Community Is Your Competitive Advantage 193
Investing in Gen Z 194
Rethinking Retirement Savings 197
Bridges and Tunnels 204
Growing out of Business 208
An Outsider’s Fresh Perspective 213
Money Circles 217
Notes 221
Chapter 6 Making Finance Work Worldwide 225
When In India 226
Why Women Are the Best Borrowers 235
Serving the Global Majority 243
Notes 252
Chapter 7 Root of Problems 255
No More Band-Aids 256
Access to Data to Drive Innovation Differently 263
Tackling Student Debt - And its Ripple Effects 269
Defeating Inequity with Data 277
From the Military to Fintech 285
Notes 293
Chapter 8 The Room Where It Happens 297
Not Throwing Away Our Shot 298
Tone at the Top 308
Playing the Cards We’re Dealt 311
Ain’t No Hold ’Em 313
An Unconventional Fintech CEO 321
Notes 327
Chapter 9 Progress Is Possible 329
The Next Era 330
Cause I Slay 332
The Fintech Future Is Female 335
Build As Fintech Feminists 338
Notes 339
About the Author 341
Index 343
