Toby Norton Smith is the head of x15ventures, the venture arm of Commonwealth Bank. x15ventures builds, buys, and invests in ventures to help them scale.

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, Dexter interviews Toby Norton Smith of x15ventures. They discuss the xccelerate program, which is designed to help early-stage ventures explore the potential for partnership with CommBank.

This year's program focuses on climate tech and helping advance Australia's transition to net zero. Toby explains the benefits and challenges of partnering with a bank and sets realistic expectations for founders seeking partnerships.

Toby highlights some of the challenges they are looking to address including measurement, traceability, and other tools in the climate tech space. Toby shares the success of previous program participants and reiterates x15 ventures' commitment to supporting the fintech community in Australia.

Apply to this years xccelerate program
​
**Key Takeaways:**
- x15ventures is a venture scaler that helps fintech startups scale through access to the CommBank divisions and customer network.
- The xccelerate program is for earlier stage ventures exploring partnership opportunities with CommBank.
- Partnership with a bank comes with trade-offs, including increased regulatory scrutiny and a shift in mindset around risk management and compliance.
- Climate tech startups need investment and customers, and corporates, including banks, can help with both.
- x15ventures is committed to supporting the fintech community in Australia and has seen success with previous program participants.

"There's a tremendous amount of help corporates need if they're going to lean into the climate tech space with any authenticity." - Toby Norton Smith

"We're certainly invested for the long term. We've definitely got the backing of ComBank." - Toby Norton Smith


Subscribe Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fintech-leaders-7092732051488980992/
Apple: https://apple.co/3D7NsPt
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3IzSViQ
Subscribe and like on Youtube: https://bit.ly/3tBlRmE
Connect on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3DsCJBp
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DexterCousins

Fintech Chatter

Toby Norton-Smith | x15Ventures - Xccelerate Program 2023

The GodFather of Fintech, Brett King joins Dexter to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Moven and with it the 10th birthday of the neo bank.

A Melbourne boy, Brett shares his unique story of how an Aussie came to build Moven, and launch the first in-app mobile bank account offered anywhere in the world!

Brett also shares his thoughts on the future of Fintech as we discuss his new book, The Rise of Technosocialism.

And he reveals his no1 career tip for people in banking and financial services.

Brett is an International Bestselling Author, a world- renowned futurist and media personality. Bank 4.0 remained a global bestseller in banking more than 12 months after release.

President Xi Jinping cited his book Augmented.  He even advised the Obama administration on Fintech!

Brett hosts the world's #1 Fintech Podcast Breaking Banks (180 countries, 6.5 million listeners). 

This is a podcast episode of epic proportions. Enjoy!

You can find out more about Brett, his books and the Breaking Banks Podcast by going to his website - http://brettking.com

And you can follow Brett on twitter - https://twitter.com/BrettKing


This podcast is produced by Tier One People, Australia's leading FinTech Executive Search firm.

Thanks to our partners FinTech Australia - a member-driven organisation that is building an ecosystem of Australian Fintechs advancing the global economy.

We share their mission to build a strong community, foster connections and support innovation. To become a member go to https://fintechaustralia.org.au/join-now/


Your Host, Dexter Cousins is Founder and CEO of Tier One People.

-----------------

To hire game changing talent contact talent@tieronepeople.com

If you would like to sponsor the show please contact info@tieronepeople.com

JOIN THE FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITY IN FINTECH

Brett King

In episode 29 Dexter is joined by Matt Baxby, Country CEO for Revolut, one of the worlds fastest growing Fintech.

Matt shares an insider's view of the Rocket Ship that is Revolut. We discuss their unique approach to building a bank, the relentless focus on the customer, blitz scaling and Revolut's plans for Australia.

We delve deeper into Matt's background to talk about his time working with Sir Richard Branson. And what he learned from Virgin that has helped him make the transition from bank to Fintech Startup.

To find out more about Revolut - https://www.revolut.com/en-AU/careers

Get the app - https://www.revolut.com/en-AU

This podcast is produced by Tier One People, Australia's leading FinTech Executive Search firm.

------------------------------

The Finnies, run by our partners  FinTech Australia, are kicking off again in 2020! 

Showcasing the best that Fintech has to offer and sponsored by The Victorian Government, Vocus and BPAY, the Finnies are a chance to celebrate the remarkable people, innovations, and resilience the fintech industry is known for and built upon. 

Register now for your chance to be recognised as a leader of fintech. 

finnies.org.au.


Your Host, Dexter Cousins is Founder and CEO of Tier One People.

To hire game changing talent contact talent@tieronepeople.com

If you would like to sponsor the show please contact info@tieronepeople.com

JOIN THE FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITY IN FINTECH

Matt Baxby, Revolut

It's episode 25 and to mark such an occasion Dexter is joined by a very special guest who needs no introduction.

Anthony Thomson is Co-Founder and Chairman of 86 400, Australia's first Smart Bank. 

And with a resume that includes Founder and Chairman of Atom Bank the UKs first mobile-first bank and Metro Bank in the UK, Anthony is one of the world's leading pioneers in digital banking. 

With two Geordies, on a Fintech podcast in Australia I'm thinking of renaming the show

The Ant and Dex show OR I’m a Fintech Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here 🤣🤣

Tune in as we talk about the future of banking and Anthony's observations on the global Fintech scene.

You can find out more about Anthony www.anthonythomson.co.uk

Anthony's book: No Small Change - Why Financial Services Needs A New Kind Of Marketing

Find out more on 86 400 http://86 400.com.au

Download at the app store OR Google Play

This podcast is produced by Tier One People, Australia's leading FinTech Executive Search firm

Thanks to our partners FinTech Australia - a member-driven organisation that is building an ecosystem of Australian Fintechs advancing the global economy

We share their mission to build a strong community, foster connections and support innovation. To become a member go to https://fintechaustralia.org.au/join-now/


Your Host, Dexter Cousins is Founder and CEO of Tier One People
To hire game changing talent contact talent@tieronepeople.com
If you would like to sponsor the show please contact info@tieronepeople.com


JOIN THE FASTEST GROWING COMMUNITY IN FINTECH

Tier One People Team