Philipp Buschmann, CEO, AAZZUR
Today’s profile features Philipp Buschmann, CEO of specialist embedded finance provider, AAZZUR.
Over to you Philipp:
Who are you and what’s your background?
I am the co-founder and CEO of AAZZUR. I am a techie and strategy consultant turned serial entrepreneur with extensive experience of working in Banking, Financial Services, IT and Energy across the world.
Having started as a developer in Financial Services, I have first-hand experience of the banking revolution from both a technology and financial perspective. My interest in behavioural economics helped inspire AAZZUR’s revolutionary work on customer centricity in banking.
I hold an MBA from the London Business School. I am passionate about entrepreneurship and love exchanging ideas, insights and discussing FinTech’s future. I have spoken at major Fintech events including Money 20/20, MoneyLive, Finovate, Fintech Matters, and the Future of Retail Banking.
What is your job title and what are your general responsibilities?
I am the co-founder and CEO. My day-to-day responsibilities vary but ultimately, I am responsible for overseeing the development, go-to-market, and execution of AAZZUR’s products and services.
We have devised a team of energised fintech professionals who are working to tap into new markets such as luxury retail and travel and tourism.
I am also a passionate champion of embedded finance and I intertwine that in my role.
Can you give us an overview of your business?
AAZZUR is a one-stop shop for smart embedded finance experience. Recognised as a rising star in the FinTech space, AAZZUR’s mission is to build profitable embedded finance whilst at the same time empowering consumers to have access to better informed financial choices.
Embedded finance drives business; AAZZUR drives embedded finance. Businesses, retailers, eCommerce companies, and banks create a financial experience that enhance sand drive revenues, cost savings and loyalty of our clients.
Whether a business or bank wants to expand their offering, embedding from scratch, we can help give a competitive edge and an agile and adaptive solution that will drive sales and open up new revenue streams, by offering customers financial services that they need in real-time.
Tell us how you are funded?
We have drawn a mix of funding including VC Funding, angel investors, family, and founders.
What’s the origin story? Why did you start the company? To solve what problems?
Our goal is making everyone’s financial lives better through intuitive banking and financial services. We have the strategy, the experience, and the know-how – and, most importantly, the desire – to build better banking and empower consumers to make better informed financial choices.
Who are your target customers? What’s your revenue model?
Our ICP is companies that benefit from embedded finance and don’t want to own that competence, whilst benefiting from it.
If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you change in the banking and/or FinTech sector?
I would make Europeans as revenue and risk-friendly as the Americans. Have a willingness to be innovative and try something new.
What is your message for the larger players in the Financial Services marketplace?
My message to the leading companies is that your products are going to be bought at the point of need.
Where do you get your Financial Services/FinTech industry news from?
LinkedIn.
Can you list 3 people you rate from the FinTech and/or Financial Services sector that we should be following on LinkedIn, and why?
- Norris Koppel, Founder and CEO of Monese
- Joanne Dewar, former CEO of Global Processing Services
- Walter Gontarek, CEO and Chair, Channel Capital Advisors
What FinTech services (and/or apps) do you personally use?
- Expensify
- N26
- Vivid Money
- Revolut
- bonify Germany
- AAZZUR employee app
What’s the best new FinTech product or service you’ve seen recently?
Vivid Money because it’s a card that looks for discounts and the money you save by using it you can invest it into the stock market.
Finally, let’s talk predictions. What trends do you think are going to define the next few years in the FinTech sector?
I predict Fintech investment is going to go back up, the sector will mature, and embedded finance will be adopted more and more by leading brands. It’s following a similar path to the internet in the early 2000s.
That’s great! Thanks very much, Philipp.
You can find Philipp on LinkedIn here: Philipp Buschmann and you can find out more about AAZZUR online at https://www.aazzur.com/.
