Our Top 10 Fintech Posts of 2019
a16z editorial, Alex Rampell, Angela Strange, Anish Acharya, , and Seema Amble
Banking on the Future: Why our most hated institutions will become our most beloved
There are two banking systems in the world today: one for people with money (or good credit), and another for people without. Neither of these systems work well. Thankfully, we’re entering the “AWS for fintech” stage of banking, driven by new distribution channels, better data, and the API economy.
The Housing Market Is Killing the American Dream
The American Dream used to be about moving to opportunity—today it’s about moving to where you can afford to live. Here’s how tech is making housing more accessible, affordable, and attainable.
Five Ways Fintech Companies Can Find Customers
How to piggyback off established online marketplaces, how to exploit social networks (for good!), and why you’ll learn to love direct mail…again.
The Google Maps for Money
When you enter your desired destination into Google Maps, the app plots out the fastest, most efficient route, even adjusting for traffic and coffee stops along the way. What if that same predictive software existed for our finances? Imagine a future where you could outline your goals and an app would execute your optimal financial plan, rerouting and adjusting for “traffic” along the way.
Fintech’s Second Wave: Lenders in Disguise
The new consumer lending business doesn’t look like a lender: it looks like a swipeable financial assistant. Think of it as the “money button” on your phone.
Why Your Mortgage is So Complicated: The History and Opportunity of the Modern Mortgage
Why is the modern mortgage so damn complicated? Delve into the history of the American mortgage, the (many) processes and players, and the opportunities for innovation.
Fintech Can Save Us From Ourselves
We’re hardwired to make bad financial decisions. Fintech is finding new ways to address our irrational behavior around money, whether that’s by bypassing us all together (…if you’re not making choices, then you can’t make bad ones) or exploiting our cognitive bias for our own benefit.
On B2B2C Business Models
B2B2C can be one of the most effective ways of acquiring customers and constructing a powerful moat. Think Affirm in consumer lending, Instacart for grocery delivery, or OpenTable for restaurant bookings. When structured properly, these companies can reach downstream consumers with no per-customer acquisition cost.
The Big Ideas Fintech Will Tackle in 2020
As the year comes to a close, the a16z fintech team weighs in on the big ideas they hope fintech will address in the coming year, from abating the housing crisis to automating the CFO suite.
Does Zero-Fee Trading Pay Off?
Why cutting fees can actually be a smart strategy for incumbent banks.
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a16z editorial
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Alex Rampell is a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, where he leads the firm’s $1 billion Apps practice.
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Angela Strange is a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, where she focuses on financial services, insurance, and B2B software (with AI).
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Anish Acharya Anish Acharya is an entrepreneur and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. At a16z, he focuses on consumer investing, including AI-native products and companies that will help usher in a new era of abundance.
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Rex Salisbury Rex is a partner on the fintech team at Andreessen Horowitz. He also runs Cambrian, a 3,000+ member community for founders and product leaders in fintech with chapters in SF and NYC. He previously worked in product and engineering at Checkr & Sindeo, automating background checks and mortgages, r...
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Seema Amble is a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, where she focuses on SaaS and fintech investments in B2B fintech, payments, CFO tools, and vertical software.