From mobile credit to autonomous accounting using financial data and AI, with Puzzle CEO Sasha Orloff

Lex chats with Sasha Orloff, CEO and Co-founder of Puzzle - “the
first smart accounting software,” which combines a streaming
financial data platform that’s connected to a general accounting
ledger. Sasha starts the conversation detailing his journey from
traditional banking to fintech entrepreneurship. Reflecting on
the early days of fintech, contrasting the East and West Coast
perspectives, and sharing his experiences from leading innovative
fintech ventures like LendUp. The conversation dives into the
future of fintech, discussing the transition into autonomous
accounting, the rise and fall of Personal Financial Management
(PFM) tools, and the integration of natural language processing
into quantitative software. The duo also contemplates the nature
of rules in language models, the dichotomy between deterministic
and probabilistic models in AI, and the future of intelligent
software. The episode concludes with Sasha sharing various
channels to connect with him and learn more about Puzzle.


 


MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION


 


Puzzle's Website: https://bit.ly/3NKuO6Y


Sasha's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3Pt3pHX


 


Topics: Fintech, AI, artificial intelligence, machine learning,
GenAI, Accounting, Software, LLM, embedded finance


 


Companies: Puzzle, Puzzle Financial, Mission Lane, LendUp,
ChatGPT, Brex, Stripe, Plaid


 


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Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin


 


 


TIMESTAMPS


 


1’43”: The evolution from traditional banking to fintech
entrepreneurship: Exploring personal journey and the early days
of fintech


 


7’10”: The East vs West Coast perspective in fintech's infancy:
Analyzing venture investments, startup culture, and the birth of
innovative fintech ventures like LendUp


 


12’36”: Deciphering the keys to fintech success: The role of
mobile distribution, underwriting capabilities, and capital flow
in shaping lending ventures


 


18’23”: Transitioning into the realm of autonomous accounting:
The genesis of Puzzle and its inevitable emergence in the fintech
landscape


 


22’41”: Reflecting on the evolution of fintech: Assessing the
impact of financial data accessibility, manufacturing financial
products, and mistakes in early accounting software ventures


 


28’23”: The rise and fall of Personal Financial Management (PFM)
tools: Evaluating consumer adoption, value proposition, and the
role of autonomous accounting in fintech's future


 


34’47”: Exploring the integration of natural language processing
into quantitative software: The role of language models in user
experience and backend operations


 


39’04”: Deciphering the nature of rules in language models:
Deterministic vs. Probabilistic approaches in accounting software


 


41’59”: Speculating the future of AI: A dichotomy between
deterministic structures and probabilistic models in building
intelligent software


 


46’10”: The channels used to connect with Sasha & learn more
about Puzzle


Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment
advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH
BLUEPRINT LTD.


Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella


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