Venturing into Fintech: Sheel Mohnot on Navigating Early-Stage Investments and the Future of Wearable Tech

Artificially Intelligent with Sam Maule and Maia Bittner

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Ever wondered what it's like to receive an unexpected haul of shoes just by tweeting about sore feet? Tune in as we learn about the unexpected windfalls for a finfluencer. With us is Sheel Mohnot, co-founder of Better Tomorrow Ventures, who takes us through his thrilling journey in the fintech landscape. Get an insider's look at how he teamed up with Jake Gibson of NerdWallet fame to create a venture capital firm aimed at fostering early-stage fintech innovations.
Sheel dives into the gritty details of early-stage investing and fundraising, offering a candid look at the fine line between "fake it till you make it" and fraud, highlighted by the FTX and SBF saga. We discuss the obstacles Sheel faced while raising their initial funds and how the COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in their journey. The episode is a masterclass in strategic decision-making, including why Better Tomorrow Ventures chose to limit their fund size to stay sharp and effective, and the tough but necessary act of turning down investors.
In the latter part of our chat, we explore the fascinating world of neobanks, SaaS, and consumer fintech, uncovering both the opportunities and challenges in these sectors. We touch on the immense potential within niche markets and the crowded space of consumer fintech, stressing the importance of targeting underserved communities. The episode wraps up with a futuristic glimpse into wearable tech, where Shiel shares his thoughts on smart glasses' practicality and privacy issues. It's an episode packed with insights, humor, and forward-thinking perspectives that you won't want to miss.

Hosts: Sam Maule & Maia Bittner

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1. Venture Capital and Fintech Startups (00:00:00)

2. Early Stage Investing and Fundraising (00:08:15)

3. Neobanks, SaaS, and Consumer Fintech (00:21:53)

4. Wearable Technology and Privacy Concerns (00:32:47)

5. Social Media and Club Promotion (00:41:07)