Steven J. Ramirez
CEO Beyond the Arc
Steven J. Ramirez is the CEO of fintech marketing and AI innovation agency, Beyond the Arc. He and histeam support banks and fintechs with Go-to-Market strategy, content creation, and AI solutiondevelopment.Steven is a popular industry strategist, writer, and speaker in banking and fintech. His insights haveappeared in American Banker, Mortgage Banking, Breaking Banks podcast, Banking Transformedpodcast, Finovate, Financial Brand, Bank Innovation, and otherindustry forums.Beyond the Arc is known for the Payments GTM Playbook. The agency helps banks and paymentproviders launch new embedded and instant payment capabilities and relaunch legacy payment andbanking products.
Steven has led the agency’s AIand machine learning practice for the last 15 years. His latest initiative isRoadmap to AI, a program helping clients accelerate their development and adoption of Generative AIsolutions. He works with client stakeholders to develop and rapidly execute Proof of Concept projects toimprove productivity and automate team workflows.
Steven earned his BA and MBA from the University of California, Berkeley.
2025 AGENDA Sessions
Lunch & Learn: Navigating Fintech’s Crossroads: Challenges, Opportunities & the AI Advantage
Fintech companies are navigating a rapidly evolving macroeconomic landscape. Interest rates are shifting, regulatory oversight is tightening, and venture investment remains subdued—but opportunities are still emerging. While late-stage capital is harder to secure, early-stage deals continue to move forward. At the same time, AI is proving to be a transformative force, driving efficiency in customer interactions, productivity, and finance-specific applications. For fintech leaders, the key challenge is clear: how to make smart spending decisions while maintaining growth and financial resilience.
This discussion will dive into the strategies fintech companies are using to manage burn, extend runway, and position themselves for long-term success. We’ll break down the latest shifts in VC funding, explore AI’s role in both broad and industry-specific applications, and examine the financial tools shaping the next phase of growth. Topics will include spend management, venture debt, embedded payments, and the evolving CFO tech stack.
Join top fintech operators, investors, and founders as we unpack where the market is headed, how companies are adapting to shifting investor priorities, and what role AI will play in defining the future of financial technology.
Wednesday 12 March 01:00 - 01:40 Bellini 2001A - 2101B
Fintech companies are navigating a rapidly evolving macroeconomic landscape. Interest rates are shifting, regulatory oversight is tightening, and venture investment remains subdued—but opportunities are still emerging. While late-stage capital is harder to secure, early-stage deals continue to move forward. At the same time, AI is proving to be a transformative force, driving efficiency in customer interactions, productivity, and finance-specific applications. For fintech leaders, the key challenge is clear: how to make smart spending decisions while maintaining growth and financial resilience.
This discussion will dive into the strategies fintech companies are using to manage burn, extend runway, and position themselves for long-term success. We’ll break down the latest shifts in VC funding, explore AI’s role in both broad and industry-specific applications, and examine the financial tools shaping the next phase of growth. Topics will include spend management, venture debt, embedded payments, and the evolving CFO tech stack.
Join top fintech operators, investors, and founders as we unpack where the market is headed, how companies are adapting to shifting investor priorities, and what role AI will play in defining the future of financial technology.
Bellini 2001A - 2101B US/Pacific
