Defining 'winning' for startups in 2026

About this episode:

Recorded live from J.P. Morgan’s e-commerce and fintech forum, 11:FS CEO David M. Brear is joined by an all-star panel to tackle a deceptively simple question: can you still launch a startup in 2026?

With AI reshaping how companies are built, capital becoming more disciplined, and geopolitics influencing everything from regulation to expansion, the old startup playbook is being rewritten in real time.

We explore what founders should prioritise from day one, whether starting narrow still works in a platform-dominated world, and how AI is redefining team size, speed, and scale. The panel also dives into what “winning” really looks like in 2026 - from sustainability and defensibility to trust and operational leverage.

This week’s guests:

Philipp Povel - Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Mondu

Martin Gilbert - Executive Chairman at River Global PLC 

James Fraser - Head of EMEA Payments and Global Head of Trade & Working Capital at JP Morgan 

Mina Mutafchieva Van Ingelgem - Partner at HV Capital

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About Fintech Insider:

Fintech Insider by 11:FS is a bi-weekly podcast that covers everything from finance and banking to technology and the latest trends in financial services.

Our expert hosts, with hands-on industry experience, are joined by key decision-makers, VCs, and top reporters from across the financial landscape, including guests from companies like Stripe, Revolut, Plaid, PayPal, and Monzo. Together, they break down the biggest news and innovations shaping the space.

Our weekly news show drops every Monday, covering major stories like mergers, new product launches, regulatory shifts, and emerging tech trends. On Thursdays, our Insights show goes deeper into the hottest topics driving the future of finance, including AI in banking, decentralised finance, and the evolving landscape of embedded finance.

Whether you're already in the fintech game or just starting to explore, this is the #1 podcast for you.

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