fintech Archives - Startup Economist

New York Isn’t a Startup Ecosystem, It’s a Set of Sector Machines

Friday, 30 January 2026 by Paul O'Brien

With such a substantial and dense population, it’s difficult to say that New York City has a startup ecosystem as though a monolithic slice of the economy and yet, it’s precisely because of New York’s urban density that it’s a leading example of an advanced startup community. New York is a rotating set of sector-specific

Published in Regional Development

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Puerto Rico: Startups’ Crossroads of U.S. Access, Global Innovation, and Island Resilience

Saturday, 16 November 2024 by Paul O'Brien

For startups, Puerto Rico’s history is one of resilience, adaptation, and strategic importance. As a U.S. territory since 1898, Puerto Rico enjoys a unique position: it benefits from U.S. federal systems and protections while maintaining its cultural and legislative autonomy. This blend offers startups and entrepreneurs an unparalleled advantage — access to U.S. markets, legal

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Published in Regional Development

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Make America Texas Again

Tuesday, 12 November 2024 by Paul O'Brien

The story of the Alamo is one etched into the American consciousness, a tale of courage and defiance against overwhelming odds that has inspired generations. In 1836, Texian and Tejano defenders faced off against the Mexican army in a siege that would ultimately result in their tragic defeat. But the Alamo’s legacy transcended that single

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Published in Economic Development, Industry

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Founders, North Texas is the World’s FinTech Hub

Friday, 20 September 2024 by Paul O'Brien

“You’re really seeing a whole new North Texas ecosystem,” noted H. Ross Perot, Jr., son of the former presidential candidate, about the phenomenon other investors have termed a finance invasion making me cringe a bit (if I’m being honest) at being termed Y’all Street. Perot Jr. sold the Dallas Mavericks basketball team to Mark Cuban

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Published in FinTech, Industry, Insights / Research, Regional Development, Startups

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Uncovering Austin FinTech as an Ecosystem

Thursday, 13 April 2023 by Paul O'Brien

I have a confession to get off my chest. In my work through Austin, I’ve long celebrated and promoted the maturing of Austin’s startup ecosystem by illuminating that we’re starting to specialize and move beyond downtown; that, as the most effective startup ecosystems do, the city of Austin isn’t generically “tech” and shouldn’t be considered

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Published in FinTech, Industry, Texas Startups

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Telling a Story that Raises Capital

Tuesday, 29 August 2017 by Paul O'Brien

Shehzad Bharwani and Adnan Merchant have helped start an incredible story; a story about the role Austin will play in FinTech. It was the fact that they have a story about the work they were doing as entrepreneurs – the experience Shehzad shared with me in transitioning his company, Dealytics, from New York to Austin,

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Published in Startups

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