HELLO FINTECHTALKERS,
In this episode, I sat down with Chandini Jain, CEO of Auquan, to explore the real-world application of agentic AI in financial services. Auquan is an enterprise AI platform that builds domain-specific agents for capital markets, automating time-consuming workflows like deal screening, credit analysis, due diligence, and compliance reporting.
Chandini walks us through her journey from IIT Kanpur to Deutsche Bank, and how her love for math and problem-solving ultimately led her to entrepreneurship and building AI tools that free up professionals from the grind of routine work.
We unpack how Auquan’s AI agents operate like supercharged analysts—reading documents, cross-referencing databases, and generating investor-ready memos—while keeping humans in the loop where it matters. If you’re an innovator in private equity, investment banking, or asset management, this episode is loaded with insight.
As AI continues to evolve, we will witness a Cambrian explosion of agents, as shown in the figure below, shaping the future of applications and architectures both within and beyond the enterprise. Just as the shift to Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) decades ago catalyzed digital transformation, the emergence of Agentic architecture will drive a profound shift in knowledge and workforce dynamics. Agentic back offices, such as those powered by Auquan, will not only enhance efficiency but also fundamentally reshape value chains, rendering certain software and functions obsolete. For instance, an AI-powered mortgage sales and origination agent could seamlessly integrate sales, origination, and securitization functions that are typically handled by three different systems —eliminating the need for real estate agents and streamlining the entire process. Startups that develop platform-based solutions will evolve into the next generation of enterprise platforms, much like today’s ERP, CRM, and digital platforms.
Timestamp Table
0:00 – 1:20 – Welcome + Meet Chandini Jain
From IIT to Wall Street to AI startup founder—Chandini’s backstory and her early realization that most of finance is "smart people doing repetitive work."
1:21 – 6:45 – The Spark Behind Auquan
How building scrappy data tools at her trading desk in Amsterdam turned into a product idea. Why financial workflows are still held back by PDFs, Excel sheets, and human bottlenecks.
6:46 – 10:25 – The Shift: From Systems of Record to Systems of Action
Chandini introduces a new architectural layer: “systems of action”—autonomous agents that not only read and interpret data, but also take action toward a defined outcome.
10:26 – 17:00 – What Is an AI Agent (Really)?
Breaking down the difference between RPA, LLMs, and true AI agents. Why verticalization matters. Why fuzzy inputs + fuzzy paths = real agentic intelligence.
17:01 – 24:00 – Agent Design + Training = Replicating a Human Mindset
How Auquan designs agents to think like analysts. Why mapping the "theory of mind" is essential. The hidden power of internal workflows, checklists, and feedback loops.
24:01 – 29:30 – Will Agents Replace Knowledge Workers?
Chandini explains why agents won’t replace analysts—they’ll free them to do more strategic and rewarding work. “Minds are made to perform, not grind.”
29:31 – 34:00 – Top Use Cases: Private Credit, Compliance, RFPs
How Auquan’s agents are already delivering ROI by automating:
Credit profile generation
Regulatory and compliance checks
Investor DDQs and RFP responses
Portfolio monitoring and valuation
34:01 – 37:00 – Who Should Reach Out to Auquan
If you’re in private equity, asset management, banking, or insurance—and you're manually reviewing documents or juggling messy data—Chandini wants to hear from you.
37:01 – 43:30 – The Future of AI: Intent-Based Everything
Where the world is headed: agents that listen to your intent and make things happen autonomously—across work and life. From fixing your WiFi to pricing complex derivatives.
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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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