In This Episode
Opening doors to high-potential fintech startups that share a mission to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible has been a goal of Mastercard’s with the founding of Start Path in 2014. Since its inception the program has helped over 430 startups in 57 countries.
With partnership in its DNA, Start Path is helping define how the company innovates for the future and creates meaningful, sustainable impact for society. Working with players large and small, Mastercard is helping fintechs push the boundaries of what’s possible, to foster innovation, expand access and ensure trust. This symbiotic relationship helps the partners innovate at scale and, together, change the game for the wider commerce ecosystem.
In this episode, Brett King connects with Sabrina Tharani, SVP, Global Fintech Programs at Mastercard and Jordan Wright, Co-Founder & CEO of Atomic Financial, a leader in payroll and merchant connectivity solutions, and a member of the Mastercard Start Path Open Banking program. Listen as they discuss Start Path and how their commercial partnership is enabling consumers to automatically switch their direct deposits and update recurring bill payments. A secure, seamless online banking experience through Mastercard Open Banking, solutions delivered in partnership with Atomic, ultimately helping drive account primacy for financial institutions.
As fintechs look to build, launch and grow their business, Mastercard is helping drive smarter decisions for better outcomes across the payments ecosystem.
Interested in joining Mastercard Start Path? Click here to learn more about the programs and apply online.
Read the entire transcript here.
Podcast Content:
Chapter 1: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction
Brett King introduces this MasterCard-supported episode, highlighting fintech innovation and partnerships reshaping financial services.
Chapter 2: 03:15 – The Global Pulse of Fintech Innovation
MasterCard’s Sabrina Tarani discusses emerging fintech trends, the role of AI, data technology, and how consumer expectations are driving innovation.
Chapter 3: 08:30 – Meet Atomic Financial
Jordan Wright, CEO of Atomic Financial, shares insights on the company’s mission to transform deposit switching, payments, and financial access.
Chapter 4: 15:40 – AI Agents and Radical Personalization
The panel explores the role of AI in finance, highlighting wallet-based approaches, smart agents, and real-world applications for personalized banking.
Chapter 5: 22:20 – Inside MasterCard’s StartPath Program
Sabrina details the StartPath program’s mission, its global impact, and how it supports fintechs like Atomic to scale through partnerships and innovation.
Chapter 6: 30:10 – The Case for Bank-Fintech Collaboration
Why banks need fintech partnerships to stay competitive, including insights into how StartPath accelerates collaboration with speed and agility.
Chapter 7: 38:00 – Challenges and Opportunities in Fintech Partnerships
A candid discussion on overcoming hurdles in bank-fintech collaborations and the importance of aligning incentives for success.
Chapter 8: 45:30 – Scaling Success: Lessons from StartPath
Celebrating the achievements of StartPath, its impact on over 450 fintechs in 57 countries, and its contributions to global financial innovation.
Chapter 9: 52:00 – The Future of Finance
Closing reflections on the role of AI, open banking, and subscription management in shaping the next generation of financial services.
Chapter 10: 57:15 – Outro and Closing Thoughts
Final takeaways on fintech’s transformative potential, with resources to explore Atomic Financial and MasterCard’s StartPath program further.
