Welcome FINTECHTALKERS!
In this episode, I sat down with Rob Straathof, CEO of Liberis, to explore how embedded finance is reshaping the lending landscape for small businesses. From instant capital access to AI-driven analytics, Liberis is building a small business co-pilot for SMEs worldwide. Rob shares his journey from being raised in a small business family to investment banking to fintech disruption, why traditional banks have missed the mark on SME financing, and how AI and embedded finance will drive the next era of business growth.
Timestamp Table
0:00 – 1:21 – How to to get on the show
How to Get on This Show, Now in the Top 10%. Join the conversation shaping the future.
1:22 – 5:07 – Introduction
Rob Straathof, CEO of Liberis, shares his background—from growing up in a family of small business owners to his early career in investment banking and fintech.
5:08 – 10:09 – Why Embedded Finance is a Game-Changer
How embedded finance is revolutionizing financial access for small businesses, removing friction from lending, and integrating financial tools into existing platforms.
10:10 – 15:25 – The Small Business Co-Pilot
Beyond lending: how Liberis is evolving into a financial operating system that provides real-time analytics, marketing insights, and growth opportunities for small businesses.
15:26 – 19:50 – Why Traditional Banks Missed the Mark
Rob explains why banks have failed to serve small businesses effectively and how fintechs like Liberis are filling the gap with AI-driven insights and seamless capital access.
19:51 – 25:37 – Frictionless Lending & Instant Capital Access
Pre-approved, data-driven financing that eliminates paperwork, rejection fears, and long application times—how Liberis ensures small businesses get the funds they need in minutes.
25:38 – 28:50 – Global Expansion & Go-to-Market Strategy
Liberis operates in 14 countries and is scaling rapidly—leveraging partnerships with platforms like eBay, WorldPay, and Vegaro to provide embedded finance solutions worldwide.
28:51 – 35:12 – AI-Powered Small Business Finance
Exploring AI’s role in building a fully automated financial co-pilot, integrating marketing, inventory, and payroll insights for small business owners.
35:13 – 41:42 – Financial Inclusion & The Future of Small Business Lending
Why access to capital is the #1 factor driving upward mobility—how Liberis is democratizing funding and empowering entrepreneurs globally.
41:43 – 45:28 – Agentic AI & The Next Phase of Embedded Finance
How AI-driven agents will transform lending, offering personalized financial strategies, and automating business operations for SMEs.
45:29 – 48:28 – Where to Find Rob & What’s Next for Liberis
Rob shares Liberis’ upcoming milestones, future AI integrations, and where to connect with him and the team at fintech events or online.
If you're a fintech founder, CXO, or someone passionate about the future of embedded finance and AI-driven small business lending, this episode is a must-listen.
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Don't miss our upcoming show on the State of AI with top industry leaders: Amy Oldenburg (MD, Morgan Stanley), Lex Sokolin (Partner, Generative Ventures), Rana Gujral (CEO, BehaviorSignals), and Dr. Riad Hartani (AI Infrastructure builder) and possibly Professor Solomon Darwin (UC Berkeley Haas School of Business). We'll dive into the latest in AI—from foundational model evolution and the DeepSeek moment to AI agents, energy and chip innovation, and what’s next. Subscribe now to stay ahead of the curve!
Enjoy and always be in the know,
Paddy Ramanathan
Founder of iValley and Host of the FINTECHTALK™ Show (on Substack, Apple Podcast, YouTube, and Spotify)
Interested in sponsorship opportunities and be associated with sculpting the future? Please reach out to fintechtalk@substack.com.
Thanks to ChatGPT for suggestions.
(Violin piece in podcast, courtesy of my daughter Ilina)
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