“We aren't looking for founders who are trying to build the next buzzy consumer brand, but rather building deeply important technologies that are solving for real pain points in our industry and being obsessed with that problem and not so much the end solution.”

In the latest episode of “What’s Next In,” Mastercard’s podcast that informally explores technology, innovation and ideas, host Vicki Hyman chats with Sabrina Tharani, who leads Mastercard’s Start Path startup engagement programme, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. The programme  now counts more than 400 startups as alumni that have collectively raised more than $25 billion in post-programme capital.

Among them are New York-based FinGoal, which analyses transaction data on behalf of financial brands to generate customer attributes and next-best actions for consumers and small and medium-sized businesses and London-based Uome, which enables seamless integration and customisation for sole traders and small business owners through a flexible, API-driven platform. FinGoal CEO David Nohe and Uome founder Jason Halstead joined Tharani in discussing the evolution of the fintech landscape, the challenges of founding a startup, tips for making the most of engagement programmes like Start Path and more.