932. Insights: How Zilch CEO Philip Belamant built a profitable fintech with over 4,5M customers

49min listen

932. Insights: How Zilch CEO Philip Belamant built a profitable fintech with over 4,5M customers

This conversation is a deep dive into Zilch’s innovative business model, how it differentiates from traditional credit and BNPL, its success in the UKchallenges with international expansion, and its potential IPO aspirations. The conversation also touches on broader fintech trends, digital commerce evolution, and market regulation issues.

What is Zilch?

  • Zilch is an ad-subsidised payments network that integrates advertising into transactions, offering customers cashback, discounts, and interest-free credit.
  • Zilch aims to reduce borrowing costs for consumers and lower transaction costs for merchants, making payments more rewarding.

How is Zilch is different from traditional credit & BNPL? 

  • Unlike credit cards, Zilch does not rely on high-interest revolving debt.
  • Unlike BNPL providers (Klarna, Afterpay), it is ubiquitous - usable anywhere Visa/Mastercard is accepted.

Zilch's growth trajectory and market position

  • Zilch has 4.5 million UK users 
  • It achieved profitability in 2023 by focusing on a high-margin UK customer base and are regularly positioned as a "market-maker" in commerce

Challenges & International Expansion

  • Zilch tested the US market but paused expansion due to rising capital costs and economic shifts.
  • According to their CEO, it does have future expansions planned, particularly into Europe.

IPO & Market Considerations

  • Zilch is considering an IPO but concerned about UK stock market liquidity and investment policies.
  • Zilch CEO Phillip Belamant is an advocate for policy changes like removing stamp duty on stock purchases to make London more competitive.

The Future of Commerce & Payments

  • Philip predicts a shift away from traditional digital advertising (Google Ads, Meta) toward commerce-integrated advertising models.
  • He also aims to make financial services as borderless as digital music, ensuring seamless global payments.

This week's guest:

  • Philip Belamant - CEO and Co-founder of Zilch

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About Fintech Insider:

Fintech Insider by 11:FS is a bi-weekly podcast dedicated to all things finance, banking, technology, and financial services.

Our expert hosts, with real industry experience, are joined by the biggest decision-makers, VCs, and reporters from across financial services including guests from Visa, Nubank, M-Pesa, Starling, and JP Morgan Chase to discuss the latest news, developments, and trends within the industry.

Our weekly news show drops every Monday and tackles the biggest news stories, from acquisitions and launches, to regulatory changes and innovation. Then, every Thursday our Insights show dives deeper into the hottest topics shaping the industry like web3 and BNPL.

Whether you’re already immersed in the world of financial services, or just keen to learn more, this is the #1 podcast for you.

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