“AI is allowing financial institutions to rethink the customer experience”
“AI is allowing financial institutions to rethink the customer experience”
Ronen Assia, Managing Partner at Team8, was speaking during the Israeli venture group’s first-ever Fintech Village gathering at the iconic New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The event brought together over 200 entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to explore the future of financial technology, focusing on AI and its transformative role in reshaping the sector.
Israeli venture group Team8 hosted its first-ever Fintech Village gathering at the iconic New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The event brought together over 200 entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to explore the future of financial technology, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative role in reshaping the sector.
The Fintech Village was made possible through the support of key partners, including Canapi Ventures, AWS, Deloitte Catalyst, HSBC Innovation Banking, Guts, Wilson Sonsini and Fintech Meetup. Their collaboration with Team8 reinforced the importance of partnerships in driving Fintech innovation, while the historic venue underscored the aspirations of startups aiming to scale and succeed.
Energizing Entrepreneurs and Investors
The day began with welcoming remarks from Team8 Managing Partner Rakefet Russak Aminoach, and Team8 Partner Galia Beer Gabel, who set the tone by emphasizing the need for collaboration within the fintech and financial services ecosystem to fix industry-wide problems. “We're here to move beyond discussing trends and to channel our collective energy into actionable plans that drive sustainable impact," Russak Aminoach emphasized.
AI’s Role in Financial Services
Panels and discussions delved into AI’s transformative potential in financial services. During a fireside chat on AI’s impact on the already booming WealthTech industry, Ronen Assia, Managing Partner at Team8, joined Joe Kauffman, CEO of Credit Karma, and Howard Lindzon, General Partner at Social Leverage and CEO of Stocktwits. Kaufman shared a deeper perspective on how generative AI is not just improving efficiency but fundamentally changing how financial services engage with consumers. Lindzon discussed AI’s potential to empower users by guiding financial behavior and preventing impulsive mistakes. He described AI as a “superpower” for simplifying complex decisions but emphasized that its effective adoption requires better financial education and thoughtful implementation to truly benefit users. Assia emphasized the role of AI as a partner in financial decision-making, highlighting its capacity to augment human intuition and deliver personalized, impactful solutions at scale. “AI is allowing financial institutions to rethink the customer experience - turning basic, static interactions into dynamic, data-driven connections that deliver real value,” Assia noted.
Showcasing Cutting-Edge Innovation
The startup pitch competition was a highlight, with april, a Team8 venture creation company and embedded tax management platform, winning for its innovative approach to simplifying tax management by integrating seamlessly into financial apps. Other standout startups included Bluespine, another Team8 venture creation company, offering AI-powered solutions to reduce healthcare claims overpayments; Ballerine, which leverages generative AI to streamline onboarding and risk management for financial institutions (supported by Team8’s venture investment fund); Citrusˣ, dedicated to ensuring AI governance, fairness, and compliance in financial models; Kipp, which helps prevent payment declines in e-commerce by collaborating in real-time with banks and merchants; Paylow, specializing in automating cost optimization in subscription management; Panax, which offers a cutting-edge cash management platform designed for mid-market enterprises; and Spiral, which helps banks grow deposits and attract accounts through personalized banking and community impact. Both Panax and Spiral are supported by Team8’s venture investment fund
Citrusˣ and Paylo attended the Fintech Village event after winning the Team8 pitch competition in Tel Aviv.
3 View gallery
Left to Right: Noga Lakritz, Vice-President at Team8, Ronen Assia, Managing Partner at Team8, Alon Huri, Managing Partner at Team8, Rakefet Russak-Aminoach, Managing Partner at Team8, Ben Borodach, Co-Founder & CEO, april, Hadar Siterman-Norris, Partner at Team8, Sanjib Kalita, Chairman at Fintech Meetup, Asaf Azulay, Partner & CMO at Team8.
(Photo: Ohad Kab)
Expert Insights on Scaling and Innovation
The event featured a VC panel, where industry leaders such as Matt Harris from Bain Capital Ventures, Hans Morris from Nyca, and Ramin Niroumand from Motive Partners discussed the critical role of venture capital in helping startups scale. They emphasized the importance of securing the right funding and strategic partnerships to navigate challenges and build a strong foundation for growth. The panel also explored how startups can leverage emerging technologies, like AI, to disrupt industries and ensure long-term success.
3 View gallery
Left to Right: Rakefet Russak-Aminoach, Managing Partner at Team8, Hans Morris, Managing Partner at Nyca Partners, Jeffrey Reitman, General Partner at Canapi Ventures, ,Ramin Niroumand, Partner at Motive Ventures and Matt Harris, Partner at Bain Capital Ventures.
(Photo: Ohad Kab)
Hadar Siterman Norris, Partner at Team8, moderated a discussion on the path to IPO, where she emphasized the importance of operational scalability and strategic partnerships for long-term growth. Michael Harris, Vice Chairman and Head of Global Capital Markets, NYSE. emphasized the NYSE's role in supporting companies as they scale and transition to the public market. He highlighted the global community of listed companies, noting, “One-third of our companies by market cap are non-U.S.,” and mentioned working with CEOs and CFOs well in advance of their IPOs to help them navigate this critical phase”. David Goldstein, Vice Chairman of the Technology Group at Jefferies, underscored the importance of preparation and adaptability in achieving a successful IPO. He noted, “You can’t just focus on today’s valuation; you have to think about building a company that can thrive in public markets five or ten years down the line.” Ariel Boyman, VP of M&A, Investments, and Strategic Partnerships at Mastercard, highlighted the importance of partnerships for scaling Fintechs globally. “Collaborations are essential to fintechs to effectively scale and navigate the complexities of global markets,” he explained.
Networking That Sparks Action
One of the standout aspects of the Fintech Village was the networking happy hour hosted by Motive Ventures, where the energy of the day carried over into informal discussions. Their elegant office space in the heart of the financial district offered stunning panoramic views of Manhattan stretched out ahead, perfectly embodying the spirit of ambition and innovation that defined the day.
