2025 AGENDA Sessions

Interview: Beyond the First Billion: Scaling Fintech Products Through Effective Distribution

Launching a fintech product is one thing—scaling it in a crowded market is another. With rising customer acquisition costs, increasing competition, and evolving regulations, fintechs must rethink distribution to sustain growth. Embedded finance, strategic partnerships, and platform integrations are now essential to reaching new customer segments and driving adoption. Renaud Laplanche, CEO of Upgrade, will share insights from scaling multi-billion-dollar products, highlighting how fintechs can expand reach while balancing innovation, regulatory constraints, and profitability. He’ll explore how distribution networks, embedded finance, and partnerships unlock new growth opportunities in industries beyond traditional financial services. This session will reveal strategies for aligning product innovation with distribution, acquiring customers in new contexts, and leveraging partnerships for expansion. Whether launching or scaling, you’ll gain actionable insights to drive adoption, retention, and long-term success.