• Danny Brewster, CEO at twentyone


• 11.08.2023 12:15 pm
#fintech

Only a few years ago, I found myself at the helm of FastBitcoins. The company took shape as a promising fintech enterprise, but our path was strewn with various unforeseen complexities and roadblocks that are all too common in this rapidly evolving sector. As I navigated through the ups and downs of the journey, I found myself in the crucible of fintech challenges. Yet, every problem posed a question, and every challenge presented an opportunity to learn and grow.

One day, during the struggle, an epiphany dawned. Each problem we were countering was not just ours but was faced by many in the industry. That realisation led me to conceive twentyone, a startup built with the vision to address the specific difficulties we had experienced. The idea was to create a company that stood for ‘entrepreneurs building for entrepreneurs’.

At twentyone, our approach is as novel as it is effective. We draw from our first-hand experiences, amalgamating them with cutting-edge technology to devise solutions that directly tackle industry-specific issues. The hurdles that have caused you stress, the problems that have puzzled you, we’ve faced them too. And, it’s this intimate understanding that allows us to design solutions that hit the nail right on the head.

You might ask, why is this significant? Why should this be a model for the future? I believe the answer lies in understanding the two-fold potential of this new paradigm - the creation of bespoke solutions for the fintech sector and the nurturing of a fertile environment for future innovation.

Our model is a powerful approach that leads to highly targeted solutions. This deep understanding is not just about financial technology or the market landscape; it extends to recognising unique regulatory pressures and navigating a vast supplier network built on layered legacy tech. By understanding the problems from the ground up, we can create tools and services that help businesses operate with increased efficiency and effectiveness. We’re living in a time where comprehensive solutions tailored to address unique pain-points can yield significant progress and evolution for the industry as a whole.

But, the potential of this approach extends far beyond its immediate benefits. This model also sets the stage for an industry-wide shift from competition to collaboration. It champions a culture of sharing and learning from each other's experiences for the collective good. It’s an environment where everyone’s win is celebrated and shared, where we grow and progress together.

Moreover, this self-reflective approach opens up a continuous cycle of innovation. As we find solutions to today’s challenges, we inevitably uncover new opportunities for growth. With each problem solved, we’re not just fixing a broken part; we’re unlocking a door to the future. Every solution we create becomes a stepping-stone to further innovation and the cycle continues, making us stronger and more resilient with each step we take.

Reflecting on twentyone’s journey, I see our story as a microcosm of the broader fintech industry - the tenacity, the adaptability, the unwavering drive to innovate. It fills me with pride to be a part of a community that sees obstacles as opportunities and constantly strives to transform the financial landscape.

As we stand on the brink of a transformative era in fintech, the future looks brighter and more promising than ever. As we continue our journey of building fintechs for fintechs, I invite you to join us. Let’s embrace this new philosophy of collaboration and mutual growth. Together, we can push beyond the boundaries of what’s currently possible and lead the next wave of fintech evolution.