Beyond The Capital from SuperTech

In this series of Beyond The Capital from SuperTech, we're exploring the power of partnerships. Birmingham-based Fastcheck was set up by Amar Rana who was frustrated by the complicated nature of obtaining car finance. In this episode, Hilary speaks to Amar about:How a pain point for customers helped spark the idea for FastcheckHow a cold approach through LinkedIn was pivotal for the companyHow partnerships have helped Fastcheck scale and connect with key partnersPlans for the next year, including scaling in the auto sector and expansion in other sectorsTo find out more about Fastcheck click here.To find out more about SuperTech WM click here.

In this series of Beyond The Capital, we’re exploring the power of partnerships.Shame is a huge barrier to tackling problem debt. But the first thing anyone in debt is required to do is complete an income and expenditure form. To help those complete this form who can’t face speaking to a real person, a Midlands-based business has come up with a solution: an AI assistant to help with affordability assessments. In this episode, Hilary speaks with Rachel Curtis, CEO and co-founder of Inicio AI. They discuss:How the business started when the founder realised the need for a non-judgmental space for consumers to seek help with their debts.Inicio AI’s partnerships with benefits checkers, open banking partners, debt advice companies, and cybersecurity providers.The benefits of accelerator programs.How Inicio AI aims to scale its operations and expand into new use cases beyond debt management.Please note, that this episode briefly mentions suicide. To find out more about Incio AI click here.To find out more about SuperTech WM click here.

In this series, we’re exploring the power of partnerships.A fintech that’s focused on credit unions and community banks says its whole business model is formed on partnerships. Incuto's ethos is tech for good. It helps enable people to access financial services that don’t always have traditional routes available to them. In this episode, Hilary speaks to Lauren Langton, Head of Advocacy at Incuto. They discuss:Incuto allows credit union members to join and apply for loans online.Partnerships with companies like TransUnion and ClearBank help Incuto expand its offering and reach more customersThe significant need for their services, with millions in the UK being turned down for loans by traditional banks.To learn more about SuperTech WM click here.To learn more about Incuto click here.

In this series of Beyond The Capital, we’re exploring the power of partnerships. The number of Brits owning properties in Spain continues to rise according to recent data. But the process of holiday home ownership is complicated. One Birmingham-based business is working to address this. Bueno is a one-stop platform for property owners.In this episode, Hilary speaks to Felix Hughes of Bueno. They discuss:Bueno's strategic partnerships with 'banking as a service' providers, payment enablers, insurance companies, and home security enablers to offer a comprehensive financial ecosystemThe company has faced challenges in its first three years, including swapping out technology partners and navigating regulatory requirementsWhat the future holdsTo find out more about Bueno click here.To find out more about SuperTech WM click here.

In this series of Beyond The Capital, we’re exploring the power of partnerships.For this episode, we hear from a Birmingham-based start-up that’s leveraged different types of partnerships to help it grow. Lexverify is an AI-powered risk management assistant that helps identify legal and compliance risks in emails and other electronic communications.Hilary is joined by Cristian Gherhes, the Founder and CEO of Lexverify. They spoke about:Early customers as partnersThe ethical issues of compliance tools and employeesInvestors and how their expertise it crucial to startups’ growthRaising seed funding of £900k To find out more about Lexverify click here.To find out more about SuperTech WM click here.

A West Midlands-based business aims to make owning a car much easier. In this episode of Beyond The Capital from SuperTech, Hilary speaks to Paul Jewell, the founder and CEO of CarCloud Community - an app that manages insurance, car finance, and key dates in one place. In this series of the podcast, we're talking about the power of partnerships. CarCloud's partnership with Reach Plc has helped it connect with a large audience through Reach's local news apps. Through this partnership, CarCloud reached more than 100,000 users and now has nearly £2 billion worth of cars on the platform. Hilary and Paul spoke about: How the partnership with Reach Plc helped CarCloud reach a larger audience to offer personalised news and car insurance optionsCarCloud's partnership with MoneySupermarketThe company's plans to expand in Europe To find out more about CarCloud click here.

In this series of Beyond the Capital from SuperTech, we're exploring the power of partnerships.How can an international bank tap into local tech talent and innovation in the West Midlands? To answer that question and learn more about its regional partnerships, Hilary is joined in this episode by Richard Newland, Chief Customer Officer, BNP Paribas Personal Finance. They discuss:BNP Paribas Personal Finance's involvement with The Innovation Lab - a fintech incubator programme in partnership with SuperTech and STEAMhouseHow collaboration helps BNP Paribas Personal Finance innovate, stay relevant and provide fresh ideasHow that innovation is crucial for delivering a great customer experience in a competitive banking industryBNP Paribas Personal Finance's partnership with charities and local organisations, including Teach First, The Canal & River Trust and the Solihull Business Improvement DistrictYou can find out more about The Innovation Lab here.

In a brand new series of Beyond the Capital from SuperTech, we're exploring the power of partnerships. In the first episode, Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to Indy Johal, COO and interim CEO of Advance Credit Union, to discuss how credit unions work and their role in building a more inclusive financial services sector. They also talk about the level of need for financial inclusion in Birmingham and the West Midlands, and the importance of partnerships in delivering on that need. Indy shares his vision for the future of Advance Credit Union and the credit union industry as a whole.They discuss:Credit unions are member-led organisations that provide lower interest rates and cater to vulnerable members of society.There is a high demand for financial inclusion in the region.Partnerships with community leaders, MPs, and event organisers are crucial for raising awareness and reaching out to members of the community.Technology plays a key role in improving the services and reach of credit unions.The credit union industry as a whole needs more recognition and support to be seen as a viable alternative to traditional banks.To find out more about Advance Credit Union click here.

Beyond The Capital is back with a new series!This time, Hilary Smyth-Allen explores the power of partnerships and their crucial role in helping businesses flourish. She speaks to both big and small organisations about some of their most important partnerships.Beyond The Capital is the podcast series from SuperTech about the professional services tech scene outside London. It's presented by proftech champion Hilary Smyth-Allen. SuperTech is based in Birmingham, West Midlands, and it is the UK’s only professional services tech supercluster. You can find out more about SuperTech and its work in the region here.Follow Beyond The Capital on your favourite podcast app so you don't miss an episode.