Christine Kiefer joined FinLeap in March 2016 making her one of the newest additions to the team and the first female co-founder of a FinLeap venture. She got introduced to the idea of joining Pair Finance as its co-founder and managing director through a friend from the Fintech community. Thus, she is responsible for developing the vision and product strategy of our venture. She does not only have experience as the Managing Director of another startup, but also brings with her a double degree in Applied Computer Sciences and Business Administration.
Today, we will interview Christine on the excitement surrounding her new job, the idea of becoming an entrepreneur, and the fintech industry as a whole.
FinLeap.com: Christine, you recently joined FinLeap. What do you think of the atmosphere in the office?
Christine: The FinLeap office is very team oriented and everyone tries to be as helpful as possible. I also get great input from the other MDs and venture partners who inspire everyone here to be result driven.
FinLeap.com: What are you excited about with your new job?
Christine: I strongly believe in our vision. I am very excited to have the opportunity to reinvent an entire industry that hasn’t changed in decades.
FinLeap.com: How did you decide that you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
Christine: I just love building companies. I enjoy the idea of shaping and changing the world through the ideas that become reality. I also like taking on responsibility and motivating others to be driven and dedicated.
FinLeap.com: What do you think you’ll have to do in the future to keep up with the quickly evolving Fintech industry?
Christine: Our venture Pair Finance combines technology with science as we are partnering up with the Simply Rational science institute to provide a new type of customer communication based on research. We are also integrating artificial intelligence algorithms into our platform. I think that we need to have that scientific approach to be at the forefront of the industry.
FinLeap.com: Do you have any advice to others who want to join ventures and become entrepreneurs?
Christine: You have to be very self-aware and able to reflect on your actions. In other words, you really have to know yourself very well-both your strengths and your weaknesses. Then, you have to find the right people to fill in the gaps for you and have a good network of mentors to guide you. Lastly, be fierce and fearless - believe in yourself and your ideas and give your best to make them happen!