Cailin McEntee
In early September, Pemba Capital Partners hosted its annual Gintech event, an evening where thoughtful discussion meets the art of distillation. This year, we invited a group of founders and management teams from the financial services and fintech sectors to not only celebrate and network but also to discuss the pressing issues and opportunities shaping the industry.
Our panel was facilitated by Cailin McEntee who is leading the direct origination efforts for Pemba’s Non-Banking Financial Services sector team and were joined by the incredible panellists; Cassie Bell Co-Founder of Butter Insurance, Harry Godber Independent Director of FinTech Australia and Andrew Birt the Co-Founder of UpSure, to share valuable perspectives, insights and lessons learnt.
Key Insights from the Event
Sustainable Accelerated Growth One of the central themes of the evening was how to achieve sustainable accelerated growth. Our panellists, all of whom have founded and scaled businesses, emphasized the importance of balancing rapid expansion with long-term viability. They shared strategies for scaling operations without compromising on quality or customer needs, highlighting the role of technology in driving efficiency and innovation.
The Impact of Partnership and Investment The panellists, who have all led a capital raise or being involved in a transaction event, discussed the meaningful impact of strategic partnerships and shared their experiences on how collaborative ventures have enabled them to access new markets, enhance their product offerings, and drive growth. Cassie Bell said “the most important role of a capital injection, particularly for early-stage businesses, is it buys you time. Time to focus on the initiatives you wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.”
Innovation and Industry Disruption Panellists attributed their success to disruptive mindsets and business models that are reshaping their respective and somewhat traditional sectors, like insurance. They discussed how customer centric design and common-sense problem solving have transformed their competitive positioning.
We extend our gratitude to our panellists for their invaluable contributions. Their diverse perspectives and deep expertise were instrumental in enriching the discussion.
A Unique Experience
A special thank you to Sean Baxter from Never Never Gin Distillery Co for leading us through a premium gin tasting and sharing his entrepreneurial journey. His story added a unique and personal touch to the evening, illustrating the parallels between crafting a premium product and building a successful business.
If you are a founder interested in exploring partnership opportunities with us or attending some of our events in the future, we invite you to reach out. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how we can drive accelerated and sustainable growth together.
