Robert West

🚨 In case you missed it: Martha Underwood — founder and CEO of Prismm, and one of our recent Fintech First Friday panelists — is making headlines again. As the Washington Business Journal reported yesterday, “Tysons wealth management startup Prismm is nearing its first major funding round as the company looks to take a slice of the estimated $124 trillion in assets set to transfer between generations in the coming decades.” Interested in learning more? Read the full story by Nate Doughty here: https://zurl.co/l2TaA #TheCenterOfInNOVAtion #Fintech

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🚨 A new episode of Prediction Market Movers just dropped 🚨 Christopher Gerlacher sits down with Andrew Kim, a leading attorney advising fintech, trading, and derivatives platforms. Together they unpack what's at stake in the current fight over sports event contracts and what it means for the future of prediction markets in the U.S, plus an important discussion about what responsible trading should look like as prediction markets grow. *Note: This episode was recorded before Tuesday's Nevada ruling dissolving Kalshi's preliminary injunction. Full episode: https://lnkd.in/gfhepEtZ

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the inflection point shows up in the structure.... when liquidity deepens and spreads stabilize around major events... you can see the category maturing. That’s exactly why structured market data matters... tracking odds behavior and depth over time is how you separate sustainable growth from one-off spikes. #PredictionMarkets

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Strong Q4 revenue growth met cautious 2026 guidance, shifting investor focus to execution over hype. DraftKings reported $1.989B in Q4 revenue, up 43% y/y; Monthly Unique Payers held at 4.8M while revenue per payer rose to $139. Spending on DraftKings Predictions will be a key swing factor ahead of the March 2, 2026 Investor Day. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/eeib-THU #draftkings #sportsbetting

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From connections to real impact. Cory Nemoto, Co-Founder and Principal of KÉCŌ Capital, shares how the NPLA has played a critical role in both his personal growth and his company's growth, crediting the conference community as foundational to building his business. As the private lending industry continues to evolve, Cory points to a much bigger mission: addressing housing affordability and the national shortage of single-family housing. With the right capital, innovative structuring, and a strong membership base, private lenders and builders are positioned on the front lines of this challenge. Education, collaboration, and meaningful value for members remain at the core of that effort. Interested in becoming a member? Contact Amy Kame at amy@nplaonline.com #NPLAConference #PrivateLending #IndustryImpact #HousingAffordability #KECOCapital #LendingCommunity

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Scott Sherman: Managing Partner, Mesa Lane Capital Partners shares how despite consistently outperforming established managers, emerging managers face immense fundraising hurdles. Innovation never stops, and even qualified teams struggle to secure capital. Focus on execution, build a track record, and deliver results. #EmergingManagers #FundraisingChallenges #VentureCapital #Innovation #InvestmentStrategy

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OptimumBank Holdings, Inc. has completed a comprehensive restructuring of its capital framework, signaling a strategic approach to institutional and insider alignment. The Fort Lauderdale-based bank has undertaken significant changes to modernize its equity arrangements and reflect its current market position. Key developments include AllianceBernstein's increased long-term economic exposure while maintaining governance balance through preferred equity. The company simplified its Series B Preferred Stock to enhance investor transparency and comparability. As of the third quarter of 2025, the bank's fully diluted tangible book value stood at approximately $4.97 per share. Management views these capital changes as foundational to supporting continued asset growth, with the institution already surpassing $1.1 billion in assets last year. The restructuring demonstrates a deliberate effort to reduce structural complexity and create a more streamlined financial framework. By prioritizing clarity and long-term flexibility, OptimumBank Holdings is positioning itself for sustained growth and improved investor confidence.

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💳 Stripe has reached a $159 billion valuation following a new employee tender offer, co-founder and president John Collison revealed. The majority of the capital for the transaction is being provided by investors, including Thrive Capital, Coatue Management and Andreessen Horowitz, commonly known as a16z, along with other backers. More details 👉 https://lnkd.in/g_7vYgMT Patrick Collison Alex Immerman #ustech #ai #fintech #funding #news #startups #innovation #investment #vcfunding

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Varo Bank Raises $123.9M in Series G Funding Round Key Points 👇 ❶ Varo Bank raised $123.9 million in Series G funding led by Warburg Pincus and Coliseum Capital Management, with participation from Northview and other existing investors. ❷ The digital bank generated $547 million in lending volume during 2025 while reducing costs and driving revenue growth across its platform. ❸ Former Morgan Stanley CMO Alice Milligan and ex-JP Morgan division CEO Kevin Watters joined Varo's Board of Directors alongside the funding announcement. “This combination of new capital, Coliseum’s partnership, and experienced banking leaders joining our board, is propelling Varo into its next phase of growth. We remain focused on operating with discipline and delivering meaningful impact for our customers.” - Varo Bank CEO Gavin Michael. #Fintech #DigitalBanking #SeriesG #VentureCapital #FinancialInclusion https://lnkd.in/gdibRbR2

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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐬 Upvest secures a massive $125M infusion to rewrite the rules of modern brokerage. 🚀 This Series B extension isn't just about capital; it’s a clear signal that the shift toward modular, API-first investment infrastructure is accelerating across #Europe. By stripping away the complexity of traditional systems, Upvest is enabling fintechs and established banks alike to offer fractional trading and real-time investment products with unprecedented speed and lower costs. Whether you are a developer looking for seamless integration or a financial institution aiming to modernize, this boost positions Upvest as the backbone of the next generation of wealth management. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dpSJbXZw Bessemer Venture Partners,The Tech News Portal, Earlybird Venture Capital, ABN AMRO Ventures #Fintech #WealthTech #BankingInnovation #SeriesB

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PE has over $1 trillion in dry powder. But exit conditions are improving and financing costs are down. So why are 30% of PE-backed companies still sitting at 7+ years of hold time with only half of 2021-vintage deals even on track to exit within a decade? It's not the market or the capital structure — it’s the leadership equation. PitchBook's 2026 U.S. PE Outlook makes it clear: the next phase of value creation won't be won by capital deployment. It'll be won by execution…and execution starts with the right CEO. We've been thinking hard about what that actually looks like and we’re continuing to explore what differentiates high-performing CEOs in today’s PE environment. What kind of shifts are you currently seeing in your portfolio? We welcome your thoughts in the comments below. #Outlook #PrivateEquity

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DraftKings said integrating its prediction market product into its core sportsbook app cut customer acquisition costs by over 80% in April. → Read full article: https://lnkd.in/ewNT8cuf __________ #DraftKings #Predictionmarkets

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Plaid's recent $8 billion valuation through employee share sales signals a notable 31% increase from last year, reflecting a growing trend in fintech around using share liquidity as a strategic tool. This practice isn’t just about numbers—it plays a crucial role in employee retention and tax optimization, helping companies stay competitive in attracting and retaining top talent. While Plaid’s current valuation remains below its 2021 peak, this strategic move highlights how private firms are evolving their capital and talent management approaches. Key insights: 1. Employee share sales provide financial flexibility and motivation for employees. 2. Share liquidity strategies can influence company valuations and investor perceptions. 3. This trend may shape how fintech companies structure growth and retention plans going forward. How do you see employee share liquidity impacting fintech innovation and talent management in the next few years? #artificialintelligence #businessautomation #productivity

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The CFTC just named 35 members to a new Innovation Advisory Committee with the roster spanning prediction market all-stars and legacy sportsbook brands. Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour, Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, plus DraftKings and FanDuel execs sit alongside Coinbase's Brian Armstrong, Robinhood's Vlad Tenev, and leaders from Nasdaq, CME Group, and the London Stock Exchange. Why it matters: Direct competitors and legacy finance heavyweights are now in the same federal advisory room. Chairman Selig framed it as "future-proofing" markets, and it comes right after the CFTC withdrew the Biden-era rule restricting political and sports event contracts. Note: Advisory committees recommend, they don't write rules. But the signal is clear: prediction markets are being folded into mainstream financial infrastructure at the federal level. And DraftKings and FanDuel both have a seat at the table. Read more (link in comments below):

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