David Velez is the founder and CEO of digital bank Nubank. He explains how hiring for a beginner's mind rather than deep domain experience drives innovation.
Opinion
Velez: Complacency allowed emerging markets to surpass US and Europe in fintech
“I think that level of complacency in these industries, in these big countries, has stopped innovation and have permitted that a lot of these emerging markets, these technologies have leapfrog to a place today where, where Brazil, China, India are ahead of U.S.…”
Insight
Velez: Spiky hires with obvious flaws outperform well-rounded candidates
“I rather have the people that have the There's incredible strengths in the weaknesses than the people that are okay in just certain areas. Those tend to be, if you manage them adequately, those are much more powerful type of hires.”
Prediction Open · timeframe Sep 2033
Velez: More Nubank-scale tech giants will emerge in LATAM within 10 years
“I do think now that the kind of the setup for more new banks in the region exists. And you'll see them over the next five to 10 years.”
Insight
Velez: Single-country startups in Chile or Colombia face severe exit constraints
“I think you run a little bit into more of the liquidity constraints where you see the businesses just building for Chile or building just for Colombia. Those tend to have much much harder exit opportunity. But when you really get Brazil and Mexico, you'll find…”
Prediction Open · timeframe Sep 2028
Velez: Nubank sees path to become largest bank in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia
“When we go to these three countries, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, we go after big markets where we see a path to be Probably the largest financial institution in each one of these countries eventually, because we are the primary bank account and we become the…”
Assertion Partly supported
Velez: Nubank is the primary bank for nearly 30% of adult Brazilians
“So if we have 50% of the population and 60% of primary bank account, we have already close to, we have the primary bank account for close to 30% of adult Brazilians. Which, by the way, is now the highest among any bank in Brazil. We are now the most often, mos…”