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Apr 7, 2017 · 22m · top-founders

EP 622: This FinTech Accelerator Has Helped 60 Companies, Linking Industry with Startups with $17k Investment with Nektarios Liolios

Nektarios Liolios · 10m spoken Nathan Latka · 8m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

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In this episode of The Top, host Nathan Latka interviews Nektarios Liolios, co-founder of Startupbootcamp FinTech, exploring how corporate-backed accelerator models connect early-stage B2B startups with global financial institutions. Liolios details the program's equity terms, financial sustainability through consulting, and emerging opportunities across FinTech and InsurTech.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Nathan holds 43.9% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Nathan as informed peer 3.4 Guest teaching 3.4 Guest disagreement 1.7 Nathan pushing back 2.4
05100:0010:0020:000:58–4:16 · Nathan as informed peer 3/10 Episode 622 Overview and Next Day Guest Preview Nathan introduces the show and Startupbootcamp's multi-city footprint. Nektarios clarifies that their accelerator model focuses heavily on B2B pilot access with regulated institutions rather than rapid early-stage venture funding.4:17–8:32 · Nathan as informed peer 5/10 Explaining Equity Terms and Non-Valuation Cash Grants Nektarios firmly corrects the assumption that their cash grant reflects valuation, clarifying that 15,000 euros is living expense money while taking a standard 6% equity stake. Nathan presses him on portfolio examples and hedge fund disintermediation.8:32–11:03 · Nathan as informed peer 4/10 Portfolio Success Stories and the Corporate Innovation Model Nektarios corrects Nathan on the number of FinTech alumni and explains that corporate bank sponsorships finance the program. Nathan pushes on how an accelerator sustains itself without relying on major equity exits.11:04–14:11 · Nathan as informed peer 6/10 Evaluating the Viability of Robo-Advisors and Incumbents Nathan presses Nektarios to pick a winner between Betterment and Wealthfront, citing previous guest Andy Rachleff's comments on competitor burn rates. Nektarios pushes back on picking a winner, questioning whether standalone robo-advice is viable without corporate partners.14:11–16:57 · Nathan as informed peer 4/10 Rainmaking Innovation and the Corporate Consulting Business Model Nathan asks directly about management fees and operational costs. Nektarios explains that Rainmaking Innovation drives revenue through corporate consulting and co-creating ventures rather than typical fund management fees.16:58–19:21 · Nathan as informed peer 2/10 Mid-Roll Sponsorship: Fast Website Hosting with HostGator Nathan reads mid-roll sponsor ads and walks through the Famous Five rapid fire round, where Nektarios shares personal insights on risk aversion and sleep habits.19:22–20:40 · Nathan as informed peer 0/10 Episode Summary and Startupbootcamp FinTech Metrics Recap Nathan delivers a solo recap summarizing key metrics from Startupbootcamp FinTech and Buzzmove's funding. As a monologue, all host dynamic metrics are zeroed out.0:58–4:16 · Guest teaching 3/10 Episode 622 Overview and Next Day Guest Preview Nathan introduces the show and Startupbootcamp's multi-city footprint. Nektarios clarifies that their accelerator model focuses heavily on B2B pilot access with regulated institutions rather than rapid early-stage venture funding.4:17–8:32 · Guest teaching 5/10 Explaining Equity Terms and Non-Valuation Cash Grants Nektarios firmly corrects the assumption that their cash grant reflects valuation, clarifying that 15,000 euros is living expense money while taking a standard 6% equity stake. Nathan presses him on portfolio examples and hedge fund disintermediation.8:32–11:03 · Guest teaching 5/10 Portfolio Success Stories and the Corporate Innovation Model Nektarios corrects Nathan on the number of FinTech alumni and explains that corporate bank sponsorships finance the program. Nathan pushes on how an accelerator sustains itself without relying on major equity exits.11:04–14:11 · Guest teaching 4/10 Evaluating the Viability of Robo-Advisors and Incumbents Nathan presses Nektarios to pick a winner between Betterment and Wealthfront, citing previous guest Andy Rachleff's comments on competitor burn rates. Nektarios pushes back on picking a winner, questioning whether standalone robo-advice is viable without corporate partners.14:11–16:57 · Guest teaching 5/10 Rainmaking Innovation and the Corporate Consulting Business Model Nathan asks directly about management fees and operational costs. Nektarios explains that Rainmaking Innovation drives revenue through corporate consulting and co-creating ventures rather than typical fund management fees.16:58–19:21 · Guest teaching 2/10 Mid-Roll Sponsorship: Fast Website Hosting with HostGator Nathan reads mid-roll sponsor ads and walks through the Famous Five rapid fire round, where Nektarios shares personal insights on risk aversion and sleep habits.19:22–20:40 · Guest teaching 0/10 Episode Summary and Startupbootcamp FinTech Metrics Recap Nathan delivers a solo recap summarizing key metrics from Startupbootcamp FinTech and Buzzmove's funding. As a monologue, all host dynamic metrics are zeroed out.0:58–4:16 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Episode 622 Overview and Next Day Guest Preview Nathan introduces the show and Startupbootcamp's multi-city footprint. Nektarios clarifies that their accelerator model focuses heavily on B2B pilot access with regulated institutions rather than rapid early-stage venture funding.4:17–8:32 · Guest disagreement 3/10 Explaining Equity Terms and Non-Valuation Cash Grants Nektarios firmly corrects the assumption that their cash grant reflects valuation, clarifying that 15,000 euros is living expense money while taking a standard 6% equity stake. Nathan presses him on portfolio examples and hedge fund disintermediation.8:32–11:03 · Guest disagreement 3/10 Portfolio Success Stories and the Corporate Innovation Model Nektarios corrects Nathan on the number of FinTech alumni and explains that corporate bank sponsorships finance the program. Nathan pushes on how an accelerator sustains itself without relying on major equity exits.11:04–14:11 · Guest disagreement 2/10 Evaluating the Viability of Robo-Advisors and Incumbents Nathan presses Nektarios to pick a winner between Betterment and Wealthfront, citing previous guest Andy Rachleff's comments on competitor burn rates. Nektarios pushes back on picking a winner, questioning whether standalone robo-advice is viable without corporate partners.14:11–16:57 · Guest disagreement 2/10 Rainmaking Innovation and the Corporate Consulting Business Model Nathan asks directly about management fees and operational costs. Nektarios explains that Rainmaking Innovation drives revenue through corporate consulting and co-creating ventures rather than typical fund management fees.16:58–19:21 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Mid-Roll Sponsorship: Fast Website Hosting with HostGator Nathan reads mid-roll sponsor ads and walks through the Famous Five rapid fire round, where Nektarios shares personal insights on risk aversion and sleep habits.19:22–20:40 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Episode Summary and Startupbootcamp FinTech Metrics Recap Nathan delivers a solo recap summarizing key metrics from Startupbootcamp FinTech and Buzzmove's funding. As a monologue, all host dynamic metrics are zeroed out.0:58–4:16 · Nathan pushing back 1/10 Episode 622 Overview and Next Day Guest Preview Nathan introduces the show and Startupbootcamp's multi-city footprint. Nektarios clarifies that their accelerator model focuses heavily on B2B pilot access with regulated institutions rather than rapid early-stage venture funding.4:17–8:32 · Nathan pushing back 4/10 Explaining Equity Terms and Non-Valuation Cash Grants Nektarios firmly corrects the assumption that their cash grant reflects valuation, clarifying that 15,000 euros is living expense money while taking a standard 6% equity stake. Nathan presses him on portfolio examples and hedge fund disintermediation.8:32–11:03 · Nathan pushing back 4/10 Portfolio Success Stories and the Corporate Innovation Model Nektarios corrects Nathan on the number of FinTech alumni and explains that corporate bank sponsorships finance the program. Nathan pushes on how an accelerator sustains itself without relying on major equity exits.11:04–14:11 · Nathan pushing back 4/10 Evaluating the Viability of Robo-Advisors and Incumbents Nathan presses Nektarios to pick a winner between Betterment and Wealthfront, citing previous guest Andy Rachleff's comments on competitor burn rates. Nektarios pushes back on picking a winner, questioning whether standalone robo-advice is viable without corporate partners.14:11–16:57 · Nathan pushing back 3/10 Rainmaking Innovation and the Corporate Consulting Business Model Nathan asks directly about management fees and operational costs. Nektarios explains that Rainmaking Innovation drives revenue through corporate consulting and co-creating ventures rather than typical fund management fees.16:58–19:21 · Nathan pushing back 1/10 Mid-Roll Sponsorship: Fast Website Hosting with HostGator Nathan reads mid-roll sponsor ads and walks through the Famous Five rapid fire round, where Nektarios shares personal insights on risk aversion and sleep habits.19:22–20:40 · Nathan pushing back 0/10 Episode Summary and Startupbootcamp FinTech Metrics Recap Nathan delivers a solo recap summarizing key metrics from Startupbootcamp FinTech and Buzzmove's funding. As a monologue, all host dynamic metrics are zeroed out.

speaking balance: gold is Nathan, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Nathan 67.8% · guest 32.2%0:00 · Nathan 67.8% · guest 32.2%3:00 · Nathan 25.6% · guest 74.4%3:00 · Nathan 25.6% · guest 74.4%6:00 · Nathan 21.7% · guest 78.3%6:00 · Nathan 21.7% · guest 78.3%9:00 · Nathan 19.2% · guest 80.8%9:00 · Nathan 19.2% · guest 80.8%12:00 · Nathan 29.7% · guest 70.3%12:00 · Nathan 29.7% · guest 70.3%15:00 · Nathan 64.7% · guest 35.3%15:00 · Nathan 64.7% · guest 35.3%18:00 · Nathan 73.2% · guest 26.8%18:00 · Nathan 73.2% · guest 26.8%21:00 · Nathan 100% · guest 0%21:00 · Nathan 100% · guest 0%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 4:28 Rejecting valuation link to cash grant

Nektarios firmly stops Nathan from calculating an implied valuation, insisting on a clear distinction between the 6% equity fee and the 15,000 euro survival stipend.

 Hardest push from Nathan ▶ 9:42 Questioning non-investment accelerator model

Nathan directly challenges how Startupbootcamp can remain sustainable long term if they do not depend on equity returns from portfolio companies.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 15:03 Revealing corporate innovation business model

Nektarios educates Nathan on the underlying structure of Rainmaking Innovation, showing that corporate consulting and co-creation generate real revenue rather than fund management fees.

 Nathan holds their own ▶ 12:25 Quoting Wealthfront CEO on customer acquisition burn

Nathan demonstrates industry depth by citing his interview with Wealthfront's CEO to highlight unsustainable customer acquisition costs among competing robo-advisors.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicNathan as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementNathan pushing backWhy
Episode 622 Overview and Next Day Guest Preview 3311 Nathan introduces the show and Startupbootcamp's multi-city footprint. Nektarios clarifies that their accelerator model focuses heavily on B2B pilot access with regulated institutions rather than rapid early-stage venture funding.
Explaining Equity Terms and Non-Valuation Cash Grants 5534 Nektarios firmly corrects the assumption that their cash grant reflects valuation, clarifying that 15,000 euros is living expense money while taking a standard 6% equity stake. Nathan presses him on portfolio examples and hedge fund disintermediation.
Portfolio Success Stories and the Corporate Innovation Model 4534 Nektarios corrects Nathan on the number of FinTech alumni and explains that corporate bank sponsorships finance the program. Nathan pushes on how an accelerator sustains itself without relying on major equity exits.
Evaluating the Viability of Robo-Advisors and Incumbents 6424 Nathan presses Nektarios to pick a winner between Betterment and Wealthfront, citing previous guest Andy Rachleff's comments on competitor burn rates. Nektarios pushes back on picking a winner, questioning whether standalone robo-advice is viable without corporate partners.
Rainmaking Innovation and the Corporate Consulting Business Model 4523 Nathan asks directly about management fees and operational costs. Nektarios explains that Rainmaking Innovation drives revenue through corporate consulting and co-creating ventures rather than typical fund management fees.
Mid-Roll Sponsorship: Fast Website Hosting with HostGator 2211 Nathan reads mid-roll sponsor ads and walks through the Famous Five rapid fire round, where Nektarios shares personal insights on risk aversion and sleep habits.
Episode Summary and Startupbootcamp FinTech Metrics Recap 0000 Nathan delivers a solo recap summarizing key metrics from Startupbootcamp FinTech and Buzzmove's funding. As a monologue, all host dynamic metrics are zeroed out.

Statements from this episode (10)

Assertion Partly supported
Startupbootcamp Graduated 400 Companies Across 60 Programs by 2017
“We have now had about 60 programs in the fintech and insured kind of verticals but overall we started bootcamp. We now had 400 companies that graduated.”
Nektarios Liolios Apr 7, 2017 ▶ 3:01
Disclosure
Startupbootcamp Takes 6% Equity and Provides €15,000 Cash
“We take six percent equity and the startups pay they give us the equity for the program. We give them cash. We give them 15,000 euros cash, but it's not a reflection on the valuation of the company.”
Nektarios Liolios Apr 7, 2017 ▶ 4:31
Assertion Contradicted
FinTech Focus Is Shifting From Payments to Wealth Management
“We have seen a move away from payments and lending as being the key fintech themes. And we now move increasingly towards investment related stuff”
Nektarios Liolios Apr 7, 2017 ▶ 6:02
Disclosure
Startupbootcamp FinTech Targets Pre-Seed Teams With Unlaunched Products
“The teams we work with are usually very early stage. They are usually early stage, pre-seed. So they come to us with a product that is usually not ready for launch yet, and they use a program to validate the proposition, to do all the customer discovery and al…”
Nektarios Liolios Apr 7, 2017 ▶ 7:54
Assertion Supported
Buzzmove Was Startupbootcamp's Highest-Funded Alumni as of 2017
“The company that raised more money is a company called Buzzmove, which is a team that we had in our insure tech program in London last year.”
Nektarios Liolios Apr 7, 2017 ▶ 8:50
Disclosure
Corporate Partners, Not Startup Exits, Fund Startupbootcamp's Operations
“So our program is funded by the industry players who participate in this. So when we have 10 banks in one program or in, in the insurtech program, we've got 17 insurtech partners, insurance industry players who put money into the program. So for us, this is re…”
Nektarios Liolios Apr 7, 2017 ▶ 9:53
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Incumbent Financial Institutions Will Not Catch Up to Robo-Advisors
“I don't think the large incumbents will actually be able to catch up.”
Nektarios Liolios Apr 7, 2017 ▶ 11:22
Opinion
InsurTech Is Less Crowded and More Lucrative Than FinTech
“We're close to reaching peak fintech when it comes to the hype, and little by little, entrepreneurs are figuring out that, that the insurance space is, is potentially more lucrative, it's less crowded, there's a bigger, there's so many problems to solve, they'…”
Nektarios Liolios Apr 7, 2017 ▶ 13:36
Disclosure
Running a Single Accelerator Location Costs About $1M Annually
“About a million US a year.”
Nektarios Liolios Apr 7, 2017 ▶ 14:47
Disclosure
Rainmaking Innovation Generates Revenue Through Corporate Consulting
“So what we do is we actually make money out of the corporate engagements that go outside the accelerator.”
Nektarios Liolios Apr 7, 2017 ▶ 15:16
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