Fintech startups: A week in review

Is Crowdfunding helping women break through in technology?

A report from VentureBeat shows that women create 65% of Kickstarter projects – yet only make up about 20% of tech founders in general. The report goes on to show that women start some of the most successful projects on Kickstarter. (citing Ouya and Miss Possible)

The old cliché: Should banks worry about tech giants?

Same old story, different publication, this time Spears Wealth Management have taken a look at the potential disruption the wealth-management industry could face by the big tech players; namely Google and Facebook. Sebastian Dovey, a partner says ‘The good news for the banks is the tech giants can’t be bothered right now.’ Famous last words?

An insight into bitcoin from the OECD

Adrian Blundell-Wignall, special adviser and director at the OECD, the rich-countries club – has released a follow-up blog post on his bitcoin whitepaper. He’s making it extra clear that bitcoin is not, and never will be, an alternative to legal tender. It can’t – because central banks have a monopoly on the system, in the sense people must pay their taxes in traditional currency. The fear of bitcoin arises from its ability to bypass traditional surveillance mechanisms.

The bank-fintech-financing relationship

It’s a long article and it only really gets to the point about halfway in. But this Forbes contributor wants to tell you that a) banks can’t innovate because they’re big and have to deal with a lot of regulation b) startup lending firms are a drop in the ocean in terms of transactional value and c) the relationship between banks and startups is a bit murky. Banks like startups, as evidenced by hundred million dollar VC funds but can't really work with them. 

M-Changa wins Amoo fintech pitching event

M-Changa the Kenyan Crowdfunding outfit have won a small pitching event hosted by Amoo, a VC fund. You’ll hear about this crew later on today in a feature I’ve written. But in winning this competition they’ve secured themselves entry to the FinTech Awards and mentorship at a startup workshop.