Hello, I’m Farnoush Mirmoeini, the co-founder of KYC Hub, I lead product management, data science, and the company’s growth strategy, focusing on creating solutions that empower companies to make better and more efficient decisions.
With over 15 years of experience in STEM and a deep passion for efficiency, I’ve dedicated my career to the practical technological adoption of artificial intelligence and computing in the fight against financial crime.
The inspiration behind turning into an Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs often identify problems or unmet needs in the market and are driven to find innovative solutions. They are inspired by the opportunity to make a difference by addressing challenges and improving people’s lives through their products or services.
Having worked in the banking industry for several years, I have seen how AML fines cause reputational damages. At the same time, I have seen how inefficiencies and manual processes cause high costs, customer frustration, and missed risks. We started KYC Hub because she believes intelligent automation and a risk-driven approach can overhaul compliance and save the industry from skyrocketing costs and AML fines.
The Birth of KYC Hub
Having spent years immersed in the intricate world of banking, I witnessed firsthand the dual menace of AML fines and operational inefficiencies plaguing the industry. The staggering costs, customer frustrations, and reputational damages incurred by outdated manual processes were undeniable. It was in the crucible of these challenges that the spark of innovation ignited.
Driven by a genuine belief in the power of intelligent automation and a risk-driven approach, the idea for KYC Hub was born. It wasn’t just about revolutionizing compliance; it was about safeguarding the very foundation of financial institutions against the looming threat of regulatory penalties and missed risks.
Our vision? To create a centralized beacon of efficiency and compliance, where industries reliant on customer identification and verification could seamlessly navigate the labyrinth of regulations while mitigating risks and preventing fraud.
In a landscape marred by complexities, KYC Hub emerged as a beacon of hope, poised to transform the status quo, save the industry from escalating costs, and rewrite the narrative of compliance.
Challenges I Faced as a Woman Entrepreneur
Getting funding for female-led ventures is hard across all industries but even harder in fintech than in industries with higher female demographics, such as femtech. Fintech is still heavily male-dominated.
It may well be an unconscious bias, but I have at times had a sense of not being taken seriously and not being heard, with investors not seemingly giving my opinions enough weight, whereas I knew if a man had said the same thing, their opinion would have been valued. The numbers prove this: only 2.4% of founding partners are female, and in 2020, only 2.3% of VC funding went to female-led startups. Of course, there are exceptions, and I have dealt with some amazing male VC counterparts.
But the boys’ club needs to challenge its own biases, the pattern-matching habit of funding the same kinds of male-led tech companies they’ve funded before; that is where it needs to come from. After all, the numbers also show that when female-led firms do get funded, they’re more likely to be successful.
Biggest Achievements So Far…
KYC Hub has won numerous awards, including-
- RegTech 100 2024 (as one of the most disruptive regulatory technology companies).
- AI in FinTech 100 (the most disruptive 100 AI companies in fintech)
- Featured at number 46 on the UK’s most disruptive startups list.
- Best PEP and Sanctions Solution by Regtech Insights USA and Regtech 100.
- A-Team Innovation Award in 2023 for the Most Innovative Client Onboarding and Customer Lifecycle Management Solution.
What’s Next for KYC Hub?
2024 has started with a promising slew of client acquisitions, including some of the largest international brands. KYC Hub continues to grow in the UK and US with Tier 1 enterprises and is looking to expand in the MENA region. I’m participating in several initiatives to combat money laundering in the region through technological products.
Lessons I’ve learned so far
- Don’t be afraid of failure. Failures map out the later successes. As cliche as it sounds, what matters is how many times you get up and try again, not how many times you fail.
- Don’t chase existing business models and already successful products by adding marginal features. Try to think radically and create a new market.
- Have a clear reason “why” you are starting a business. Start something you are passionate about. This will help you navigate the times when things aren’t going exactly the way you thought they would.
Success Tips for aspiring entrepreneurs
I recommend reading a lot because it has helped me quickly digest and assess new ideas. I read blogs on product management, growth marketing, and technology and listen to several podcasts.
Another piece of advice would be to Develop and empower people so that they can grow and manage different streams. A company cannot grow with a perfectionist founder who wants to be at the center of everything. Recruiting and investing in the right people is critical for growth.
Conclusion
In the dynamic realm of fintech, KYC Hub was born with a mission to revolutionize compliance. With a background in banking, I’ve seen the impact of AML fines, driving our pursuit to integrate intelligent automation and a risk-centric approach.
Despite hurdles as a female entrepreneur, KYC Hub has achieved industry accolades and global partnerships, reshaping standards and inspiring future innovators in the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.
Written by Farnoush Mirmoeini
Farnoush is one of the co-founders of KYC Hub, where she leads product management, AI/data science, and growth strategy. She has over ten years of experience in AI, quantitative finance, and risk modeling and has published several papers on AI applications.
- Website: KYChub.com
- Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/farnoush