Embedded finance is a growing trend that has gained traction over the past decade. It refers to the integration of financial services into non-financial platforms or businesses. Traditionally, individuals or businesses would have to go directly to financial service providers to access services such as banking, payments, insurance, and collections. However, with embedded finance, these services are offered within platforms that users already interact with on a regular basis.
One of the key advantages of embedded finance is its ability to simplify complex payment processes. As platforms grow in size and complexity, managing payments becomes more challenging. Embedded finance provides a unified solution for handling multiple parties, routing payments, and managing surcharges. This streamlines the payment process and reduces the burden on platform operators.
The first guest, Christoph Schnettler, co-founder of the platform DoKuMe. DoKuMe is a platform that provides solutions for associations in the sports industry. Christoph explains that the platform initially started as a way to solve the problems faced by the German Judo Federation. Over time, they expanded their offerings to include various modules such as training documentation, license management, membership management, and project management. Today, DoKuMe provides a platform-as-a-service solution that can be customized for different organizations.
The second guest, Cyrosch Kalateh, co-founder and CEO of GetPaid, a payment provider, shares his expertise in embedded finance. Cyrosch's journey in the fintech industry led him to realize the challenges faced by platforms when it comes to payments and finance. He highlights the complexity of multi-sided situations that platforms deal with, as they have business customers who, in turn, have their own customers. This complexity requires a tailored end-to-end payments solution, which is what GetPaid aims to provide.
Another point highlighted in the podcast is the convergence and extension of business models enabled by embedded finance. The speakers discuss a customer who started as a wholesaler and then transitioned into a marketplace model. They explain how embedded finance has allowed this customer to further extend their business model by embedding payments into their software service. This demonstrates how embedded finance can facilitate business model extensions and enable platforms to offer a wider range of services to their customers.
In conclusion, the podcast highlights the significance of having a strong financial model and scalability for platforms and marketplaces. It emphasizes the need to focus on solving relevant problems, iterate quickly, and get feedback. Additionally, it underscores the importance of correctly scaling platforms and being conscious of unit economic costs. By considering these factors, platforms can maximize their potential for success and drive the embedded finance revolution.
🎧 Tune in to "Platforms for Future" now and be part of the conversation that's shaping the future of B2B platforms. Learn, get inspired, and transform your business approach with us!