Alexa von Tobel heralds the onset of 'fintech 3.0', redefining financial services with inspired entrepreneurship and innovation

A decade ago, acclaimed entrepreneur and author, Alexa von Tobel, marked a notable milestone. Her financial planning startup, Learnvest, was purchased by Northwestern Mutual for a staggering $250 million. Not one to rest on her laurels, von Tobel immersed herself within Northwestern Mutual, harnessing the digital sphere and fostering disruptive innovation. Her work ethic is emblematic of the adage that entrepreneurship never sleeps, confirmed by her next move—establishing an early-stage venture firm, Inspired Capital. This novel endeavor, graced with the involvement of former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, serves as an ode to her dedication and passion for creativity and enterprise. Never one to shy away from the limelight, von Tobel is also a New York Times bestselling author and about to launch an exciting interview podcast, ‘Inspired with Alexa von Tobel.’ The pathway to her success has been exhilarating and eventful. Recollecting the period surrounding Learnvest’s acquisition, von Tobel recounts the labyrinthine journey that led her to wear multiple professional hats. Part and parcel of her story is the birth of her first child, revealing an example of striking a balance between personal life and high-stakes entrepreneurship. Inspired Capital is the brainchild of von Tobel’s experience as a founder. Her vision for the firm stemmed from aspiring to be the kind of investor that founders fervently sought, on the basis of a ‘cultish commitment to entrepreneurship.’ Despite its extensive purview, von Tobel retains a special affection for financial technology, or fintech. It is in this sector that she envisions the arrival of ‘fintech 3.0’, an advanced version of its predecessor, intended to radically modify the landscape of the industry. As the wave of change sweeps across the global economy, von Tobel sees in it an opportunity for unfathomable innovation. Derived from genuine product reinvention rather than cosmetic tweaks, ‘fintech 3.0’ is the beacon that will guide a diverse, digitally native population to experience a service revolution.