Lissele Pratt, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, Capitalixe
Today we're meeting Lissele Pratt, the Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer of Capitalixe, the leading provider of payments and banking solutions to medium and high-risk industries.
Over to you Lissele - my questions are in bold:
Who are you and what's your background?
I’m Lissele, Co-founder of Capitalixe, a fintech company dedicated to making payments and banking more inclusive, especially for high-risk industries that are often underserved by traditional financial institutions. My entrepreneurial journey began at the age of 16, selling jewelry at Camden Market, which sparked my passion for business and innovation.
My early career started at 18 in the finance world where I took an internship at a compliance consultancy servicing investment companies, thereafter I took the plunge in the fast-paced world of fintech as a junior FX broker opened my eyes to significant gaps in financial services, particularly for industries facing high regulatory scrutiny.
I saw firsthand how many companies with great potential were being held back due to a lack of financial support and understanding from traditional banks. Motivated by this challenge, I founded Capitalixe to bridge that gap, ensuring these businesses have access to the banking and payment solutions they need to scale their business to the next level.
Beyond my work with Capitalixe, I am deeply passionate about championing diversity, equality, and inclusion within the fintech space and beyond, an industry often seen as a 'boys club.' I've faced my share of scrutiny as a young woman in finance, and I’m committed to breaking down these barriers. I mentor aspiring female founders and actively challenge gender inequalities to create a more inclusive environment for everyone. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, TechRound 29 Under 29, and Innovate Finance’s Women In Fintech Powerlist and recent Tedx speaker, I continue to use my platform to advocate for underrepresented voices in fintech, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to succeed
What is your job title and what are your general responsibilities?
As the Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at Capitalixe, where I drive our growth strategy and spearhead new business opportunities. My role is all about scaling our market presence and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve. I lead the charge on strategic initiatives that expand our services and attract new clients.
A key focus of mine is building strong partnerships with top-tier providers, ensuring our clients receive the best possible solutions for their unique business needs. By collaborating with the right partners, I help Capitalixe deliver exceptional service, staying ahead in the fintech landscape.
Working hand-in-hand with sales, marketing, and partnerships, I ensure we hit our growth targets and maintain our competitive edge. I’m also deeply involved in forging and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and clients, fuelling long-term success. My mission is clear: to propel Capitalixe to the forefront of financial services through relentless growth, innovation, and strategic alliances.
Can you give us an overview of your business?
Capitalixe is at the forefront of fintech, specializing in cutting-edge financial solutions for medium and high-risk industries. We offer a range of services including payment processing, banking solutions, FX services, and risk management.
Our mission is simple: empower businesses in emerging and high-risk sectors with secure, compliant, and tailored payment and banking solutions that help them thrive. We stand out by combining deep industry expertise with a commitment to innovation, ensuring our clients get the best possible support to scale their operations.
Backed by a team of seasoned professionals, Capitalixe is dedicated to driving growth and delivering exceptional value. We’re not just a service provider; we’re a partner in our clients’ success, pushing boundaries and setting new standards in the financial services landscape.
Tell us how you are funded?
Capitalixe is a fully bootstrapped, 7-figure consulting firm that has chosen to grow without outside investment. We’ve scaled by spotting a gap in the market early on and jumping in to solve it.
Leveraging our deep expertise in B2B sales and business development, my co-founder Ivan and I built Capitalixe from the ground up, using our skills to drive the company’s growth and success.
We’re proud to remain independent, allowing us to stay agile and focused on delivering value to our clients without external influence.
What’s the origin story? Why did you start the company? To solve what problems?
Capitalixe was born out of a clear gap in the financial services market: high-risk industries were being sidelined by traditional banks due to regulatory complexities and a lack of understanding of their business models. I saw firsthand how these companies, despite having great potential, were struggling to grow because they couldn't access the financial support they needed. This challenge inspired us to launch Capitalixe with a mission to make financial services accessible, secure, and tailored for these underserved sectors.
Our unique selling point is simple but powerful: we only succeed when our clients do. Unlike many consulting firms that charge hefty upfront fees, our services are completely complimentary—we earn only when we deliver results for our clients. This performance-based approach ensures our incentives are perfectly aligned with our clients’ success.
By offering specialized payment processing, banking solutions, and risk management tailored to the specific needs of high-risk industries, we’re able to help businesses overcome the financial barriers that hold them back. We’re not just providing a service; we’re a dedicated partner in their growth journey, committed to driving value and fostering long-term success. At Capitalixe, we’re changing the narrative for high-risk industries, making financial inclusivity a reality.
Who are your target customers? What’s your revenue model?
Our target clients are businesses in high-risk industries—those often overlooked by traditional financial institutions due to their regulatory complexities and unique business models. This includes sectors like crypto, gaming, CBD, and other emerging industries that face significant challenges in accessing reliable financial services.
Our revenue model is performance-based. The fees are tailored to each client’s needs and depend on how they use the accounts they set up with us. This can include payment processing fees, currency exchange costs, and potential monthly service fees, all structured to align with the specific requirements of their business operations.
For example, we’ve helped clients in the crypto space set up secure and compliant banking solutions, enabling them to process transactions seamlessly across borders. By eliminating the upfront consulting fees that many other firms charge, we lower the barrier to entry, ensuring that our clients can focus on scaling their businesses without the financial strain. Our approach is all about aligning our success with that of our clients, providing them the flexibility and support they need to grow.
If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you change in the banking and/or FinTech sector?
If I had a magic wand, I’d eliminate the financial barriers that keep underserved populations, especially in emerging countries, from accessing basic banking services. Today, millions of people still lack access to a proper bank account, which limits their ability to save, invest, or grow their businesses, ultimately stifling their potential and hindering economic progress in their communities.
I envision a financial world that is truly inclusive, where everyone, regardless of their background or location, has equal access to secure, affordable, and user-friendly financial services. By breaking down these barriers, we could empower entire communities to participate in the global economy, achieve financial stability, and pursue their aspirations without being constrained by outdated and exclusionary financial systems. This change would make the financial world a more inclusive place, where opportunities are available to all.
What is your message for the larger players in the Financial Services marketplace?
To the leaders of the financial services industry: it’s time to take a hard look at the diversity within your ranks and the inclusivity of your workplace culture. We’ve made progress, but there’s still a long way to go, especially for women and underserved groups like minorities. The financial services industry has often been seen as a 'boys club,' but that narrative needs to change.
True leadership isn’t just about market share or profitability; it’s about creating spaces where diverse voices are heard, valued, and empowered to make a difference. A diverse workforce drives innovation, better decision-making, and stronger connections with a diverse client base. I urge you to prioritize diversity and inclusion, not just as a checkbox but as a core value that shapes every aspect of your business.
Invest in diverse talent, break down the barriers that keep women and minorities from reaching leadership positions, and foster a culture where everyone has a seat at the table. It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do. A more inclusive financial services sector isn’t just good for your company—it’s essential for a fair and thriving industry that serves everyone equally.
Where do you get your Financial Services/FinTech industry news from?
Can you list 3 people you rate from the FinTech and/or Financial Services sector that we should be following on LinkedIn, and why?
- Anne Boden: CEO and Founder of Starling Bank. Anne is a trailblazer in the fintech space, having founded Starling Bank with a vision to revolutionize banking by making it customer-centric and digital-first. Her insights on the future of banking, leadership, and innovation are invaluable for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and finance.
- Sallie Krawcheck: CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest. Sallie is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, a digital investment platform tailored specifically for women. She’s a vocal advocate for financial inclusion and gender equality in finance, regularly sharing insights on closing the gender wealth gap, women’s financial empowerment, and the importance of diverse leadership in financial services.
- Suneera Madhani: Founder of Stax: Suneera is the Founder of Stax, a subscription-based payment processing platform that simplifies and streamlines payment solutions for businesses. She’s a dynamic leader who champions diversity, inclusion, and breaking down barriers in fintech, regularly sharing her journey as a female founder and insights on scaling
- Lastly, I’d suggest following me too at Lissele Pratt. Not just because it’s me, but because I’m passionate about making financial services accessible for underserved industries and advocating for inclusivity in fintech. I use my platform to share insights on overcoming challenges and championing equality and diversity in the sector.
What FinTech services (and/or apps) do you personally use?
My go-to fintech app is Revolut. It’s incredibly user-friendly and offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing finances, making and receiving payments, currency exchange, and even investing—all in one place.
I love how seamlessly it integrates into my daily life, providing real-time insights and the flexibility to handle my financial needs on the go. Revolut’s blend of convenience, innovation, and design makes it a standout in the fintech space.
What’s the best new FinTech product or service you’ve seen recently?
I’m really impressed by Ellevest, a platform designed by women for women, aimed at bridging the financial wealth gap and empowering women to take control of their financial futures.
Ellevest offers tailored investment solutions and educational resources that address the unique financial challenges women face, making investing more accessible and relatable. It’s a fantastic example of how fintech can drive inclusivity and make a real impact.
Finally, let's talk predictions. What trends do you think are going to define the next few years in the FinTech sector?
AI and machine learning are set to revolutionize the fintech sector in the coming years, particularly in the areas of personalized financial advice and fraud detection. As these technologies become more sophisticated, we can expect to see a shift towards hyper-personalization, where financial services are tailored to the unique needs, behaviors, and goals of each individual. This will empower consumers to make more informed financial decisions and achieve their personal financial goals with greater ease.
On the fraud detection front, AI and machine learning will play a critical role in enhancing security measures. By analyzing vast amounts of data in real time, these technologies can identify unusual patterns and potential threats far more effectively than traditional methods. This will not only reduce fraud but also build greater trust in digital financial platforms, which is crucial as the sector continues to grow.
Beyond this, we’ll likely see AI-driven automation streamlining operations across the industry, reducing costs, and improving the customer experience. For businesses, this means more efficient processes and the ability to offer better, more competitive services.
Lissele, thank you so much for taking the time to participate!
You can read more about Lissele Pratt on LinkedIn and read more about her company Capitalixe at https://capitalixe.com/.