Mahi Sall, Advisor, Fintech-Bank Partnerships, Payments and Financial Inclusivity
January 25th, 2023
Fintech Innovation | Dec 5, 2023
Image: VCA, Succeeding with Super Apps, Chart
A super app is essentially a multi-utility mobile application offering a wide array of services, from financial transactions and e-commerce to social networking and entertainment. Such apps have transformed user experience by integrating various functionalities into a single, user-friendly platform, enabling easy and seamless access to a multitude of services. Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) published a recent report titled "Succeeding with Super Apps," highlighting its rapid global growth and key drivers.
The super app market, valued at over US$60 billion in 2022, is anticipated to grow at a staggering 27% annually, potentially reaching US$426 billion by 2030. This growth is propelled by super apps' ability to cater to diverse consumer needs efficiently within a single platform.
Key factors driving this phenomenal growth include:
The adoption and evolution of super apps show significant regional variations. The table below compares how super apps are being shaped by regional characteristics and how they are evolving to meet diverse consumer needs.
Region | Description | Example | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Asia Pacific | Dominated by mobile usage and favorable demographics, this region sees super apps integrating extensively into daily life. | Started as a messaging app but has evolved into an all-in-one platform, offering services ranging from social media and mobile payments to ride-hailing and bookings. | |
Central Europe, Middle East, and Africa | Driven by smartphone adoption and a vibrant, dynamic market, super apps are rapidly growing. | Careem | Began as a ride-hailing service but has expanded into a super app, providing services like food delivery, payments, and logistics. |
Europe and UK | A fragmented regulatory landscape and strict data privacy laws have shaped the growth of local super app players. | Revolut | Initially launched as a fintech startup offering banking services, Revolut has expanded its scope significantly, including currency exchange, stock trading, and insurance services. |
Latin America | Focuses on financial inclusion and convenience, with super apps evolving from delivery service platforms and marketplaces. | Rappi | Started as a delivery service and has transformed into a super app, offering a wide range of services including grocery delivery, financial services, and travel bookings. |
North America | Presents a challenging environment for super apps due to established players and regulatory hurdles. | PayPal | Primarily known for online payments, PayPal has expanded its services to include features like savings, credit, and shopping tools, moving towards a super app model. |
Super apps, despite their increasing popularity and utility, face several challenges including:
Image courtesy of DALL E
Throughout the day, Emily's super app seamlessly integrates various aspects of her life, from routine tasks to leisure activities, embodying the essence of convenience and efficiency in her digital-driven lifestyle.
These super apps aren't just aggregating services. We're quickly heading into a new era where technology is deeply woven into the fabric of our everyday routines.
As they continue to evolve and adapt to regional needs and technological advancements, super apps stand poised to reshape not only individual lifestyles but also the landscape of global business and commerce. They promise a future of seamless interaction, heightened connectivity, and endless possibilities. Having said that, clearly not everyone will be thrilled with increased device time!
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Intellectual Property | Dec 4, 2023
Image by Freepik
For fintech startups, IP is not just about legal protection; it's a strategic asset. It enables companies to secure funding, forge partnerships, and enter new markets with confidence. Programs like ElevateIP and AccelerateIP equip startups with the knowledge to develop and implement effective IP strategies, ensuring that their innovations are safeguarded and monetized effectively.
Many fintech startups face challenges in IP management, including limited resources and expertise. Understanding the evolving IP landscape, especially in areas like generative AI, blockchain and digital payments, is crucial for fintech companies to stay ahead and drive innovation and competitive advantage.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada |
AI | Nov 29, 2023
Image: Unsplash/Sunrise King
Q was announced at Amazon’s re:Invent conference in Las Vegas, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize how businesses interact with AI technology and is trained on 17 years of AWS knowledge, offering tailored solutions and advice for a wide range of business queries.
It's priced at $20 per user per year and currently in public preview and can be integrated with various business-specific applications like Salesforce, Jira, Zendesk, and Gmail, allowing it to learn and adapt to a company's unique structure and needs.
Its ability to understand and interact with complex business environments, coupled with its emphasis on security and customization, positions it as a game-changer in the industry. Q offers businesses a powerful tool to enhance decision-making, automate routine tasks, and gain deeper insights into their operations. The integration of Q into various business functions promises to streamline processes, improve customer experiences, and foster innovation.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada |
NCFA Member Innovation Spotlight | Nov 28, 2023
Users seek assistance in defining clear, achievable objectives using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) framework. This often involves exploring personal or professional goals, such as improving productivity, pursuing a new skill, or achieving a specific fitness target. Accountability Coach GPT guides users in formulating these goals in a manner that is aligned with Stoic principles of focusing on what is within their control and Taoist concepts of flowing with natural tendencies.
Many users are interested in cultivating a resilient mindset and a more mindful approach to life, drawing upon Stoic practices for coping with adversity and Taoist principles for living in harmony with the natural world. This can include strategies for managing stress, dealing with unexpected life changes, or simply cultivating a more peaceful and focused state of mind.
Users often seek guidance during significant life changes or when facing important decisions. Here, the blend of Stoic and Taoist philosophies is particularly helpful. Stoicism provides a framework for accepting change and focusing on one’s response to it, while Taoism offers insights into intuitive decision-making and aligning actions with the natural course of events.
Image: Unsplash/Miquel Parera
Managing and encouraging commitments as the ReliablyME Accountability Coach GPT involves a structured approach that integrates philosophical principles with practical goal-setting and tracking methods. Here's how it might manage and encourage your commitments:
Start by engaging users in discussions to understand their underlying motivations and desires. This helps in aligning their commitments with their true interests and values, which is crucial for long-term adherence and success.
Guide users to define their commitments using the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). This ensures that goals are clear, realistic, and trackable, which increases the likelihood of commitment adherence.
Through Stoic and Taoist practices, encourage users to be present and mindful. This helps them stay focused on their commitments and be aware of their progress and the challenges they face.
Regular journaling and reflection are encouraged to track progress, understand challenges, and acknowledge achievements. This self-reflection is a critical component of accountability and helps in maintaining commitment.
Guide users in developing flexibility and adaptability, crucial for maintaining commitments amidst life's inevitable changes. This includes revisiting and adjusting goals as necessary.
Conclude conversations with a commitment to a follow-up schedule. Users are encouraged to book check-in calls (using the provided Calendly link) to review progress and adapt future commitments. This regular check-in promotes accountability and continuous engagement with their goals.
At the end of each session, provide a summary of the conversation, including the commitments, plans, and key philosophical points. This summary is used by the user for their Calendly reservation, ensuring they have a clear record of their commitments and progress.
Image: Unsplash/Mathias Jensen
By combining these strategies, ReliablyME's Accountability Coach GPT can help users not only set and manage their commitments but also develop a mindset and habits that support lifelong personal growth and development.
For more information, visit the website or Founder and CEO of ReliablyME (NCFA member) Alex Todd, contact info@ReliablyME.com.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada |
Digital Identity | Nov 28, 2023
Image by pressfoto on Freepik
Syngrafii's strategic integration helps secure electronic signatures, addressing the evolving needs of regulatory bodies and combating financial crimes like mortgage and auto loan fraud. The integration not only streamlines the identity verification process but also fortifies compliance with KYC, KYB, and AML protocols, setting a new standard in the digital signing realm.
By ensuring higher levels of security and compliance, Syngrafii and Trulioo are not only enhancing the trustworthiness of digital signatures but are also paving the way for safer, more reliable online transactions across various sectors. This is a noteworthy milestone along the journey towards a safer digital future.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada |