Favorite Parts of Working in the FinTech Industry as a Senior Manager Financial Alliances and Strategy
Arnav's biggest challenge at LiquiLoans, a FinTech startup, was the lack of established systems and processes, unlike their previous roles in investment banking and auditing where "everything is very systematized." This required building "things from scratch," presenting both a significant challenge and the rewarding experience of learning to navigate uncertainty and build from the ground up in a fast-paced environment.
Startup Environment, Building Processes, Financial Strategy, Adaptability, Career Choices
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
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Arnav Sutaria
Sr. Manager - Financial Alliances & Strategy
LiquiLoans (FinTech Startup)
University of Mumbai, 2018
None, professional certification - Chartered Accountant (India)
Accounting
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Strategic Management and Executive
International Student
Video Highlights
1. Building from scratch and dealing with resistance to change are common challenges in startups but offer valuable learning opportunities.
2. Startups provide flexibility and the chance to shape processes, unlike corporate settings with established structures.
3. Corporate roles offer systematic processes, accountability, and opportunities for internal mobility, but may lack flexibility. The interviewee describes a balance of both worlds as ideal.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
In the startup role I had, one of the biggest challenges was that the systems and processes were not in place. In investment banking and auditing, everything is very systematized. The templates, processes, and SOPs are all ready; you just have to follow a series of steps.
While you can innovate within those steps, there is a well-defined process. You meet the client, prepare, meet the deck or pitch deck, prepare the framework, and then start building models. Everything is very streamlined.
In a startup, nothing was streamlined and everything had to be built from scratch. It was a challenge, but it was also fun because I learned a lot. I learned how to build things and how to deal with people who were resistant to change. Building things from zero is challenging, but also fun.
For people with curiosity who want to be part of something that grows, a startup role is really good. If you can embrace the challenge of uncertainty and a little bit of chaos, a startup is for you. Sometimes you start a day without knowing what it will look like, and before you know it, it's 9:00 PM. That's an interesting role in a startup.
On the other hand, in the corporate sector, I enjoyed benefiting from their vast body of accumulated knowledge. I became very systematic and fast in my work. In the corporate sector, you often have a timesheet where you log every hour spent on a project. This holds you very accountable, with a strong reporting structure.
There are also opportunities to move around within a firm in a larger organization. Because of the scale or constraints, a larger organization is more formal and rigid, which is a drawback. However, the advantage is that it's more well-structured and organized.
On a startup, it's the opposite; it's a little scattered and all over the place. But at the same time, you get flexibility. I guess it's the best of both.
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