NCFA Fintech Confidential December 2020 (Issue 3)

Fintech companies in our region have
unique characteristics that largely contribute
to the competitiveness of the region: as the
investment environment is different from
places like Silicon Valley or Tel Aviv, these
companies often do more with less; they
tend to be very lean, have a resourceful team,
be real-world problem-solving focused
and, as a result, provide more customeroriented
value propositions. On the other
hand, it is exciting to notice that we have a
lot in common with many of the world’s top
fintech ecosystems. Compared to places like
Singapore, Sydney, Tel Aviv and others, we
have comparable technology, and a focus
on non-local markets. The high-impact
meetings with industry leaders and the warm
reception our Atlantic Canada delegation
was so fortunate to enjoy at Money2020 last
year are clear testimony to our international
attractiveness.
restrictions imposed by the pandemic, this
initiative now counts participants from coast
to coast. It is also encouraging to note that
Dalhousie University started offering the only
university fintech course in the region last
year. The course focuses on understanding
the landscape in which fintech companies
emerge, grow and compete, and gaining
practical experience by interacting with
fintech companies and entrepreneurs from
the region. Dr. Maria Pacurar works with
undergraduate students from across the
university to inspire the next generation
of fintech leaders. She has also been
collaborating with Alicia Roisman Ismach, of
Venn Innovation and Atlantic Fintech. Their
dream: build the next Singapore or Tel Aviv,
but right here in Canada—on the East Coast.
TRENDING
It’s been exciting to see the evolution of
these companies since then, including the
meaningful progress of solutions like Black
Arcs, which can simplify complex decisionmaking
through its analytics platform for an
array of customers, and Four Eyes Financial,
which offers financial compliance software
from the institutional level to end-users.
Of course, we have to focus on the next
generation. Given the strong pool of talent
in an array of functional areas coupled with
a considerable influx of highly educated
immigrants, excellent quality of life,
affordable cost of living, natural beauty and,
of course, the growing tech ecosystem,
there is no doubt that Atlantic Canada will
see an increased international appeal. But
what about the future? Where and how are
we getting our next generation of talent?
The region’s 16 universities graduating
nearly 18,500 degree holders annually and
performing nearly 60% of the region’s R&D
(more than $200 million annually) 2 are an
important driver in this innovation ecosystem.
This fall, both the Faculty of Management
at Dalhousie University and Venn Innovation
partnered with Coopérathon, the largest
Open Innovation challenge in Canada. Run
digitally for the first time because of the
About:
About:
Maria Pacurar
Associate Professor of Finance
Rowe School of Business
Professor Maria Pacurar is an Associate Professor of Finance in
the Rowe School of Business and Vice-Chair of Senate (Student
Affairs) at Dalhousie University. An award-winning instructor
and researcher, Maria teaches fintech, risk management for
financial institutions, and corporate finance courses in the
regular and executive education programs. She holds a Ph.D.
in Finance from HEC Montréal.
Alicia Roisman Ismach
Head of Atlantic Fintech
Venn Innovation
Alicia Roisman Ismach is a serial entrepreneur and fintech
expert with over 20 years leadership in the industry. Alicia is
a member of the Technology Committee of the Electronic
Transaction Association, Entrepreneur in Residence at Venn
Innovation and leads the fintech initiative in Atlantic Canada.
Alicia holds a Master in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from
Swinburne University of Technology.
2
https://www.atlanticuniversities.ca/
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