Working at a fintech startup gives you an interesting view of what’s actually changing in tech. Here are the shifts I’m genuinely excited about:
AI Will Finally Understand Context
Today’s automation tools are getting there, but they still miss the bigger picture. They can categorize expenses but don’t understand why your burn rate changed. By 2026, AI tools will grasp business context, not just data points. What’s exciting is that small startups will have access to the same financial intelligence as larger companies making the playing field more level.
Everyone Becomes a Business Owner
People starting small companies for single projects, side ventures growing beyond main jobs. By 2026, when starting a business becomes as simple as opening a bank account, traditional employment becomes just one option among many for knowledge workers. It’s empowering to watch.
Women Are Building Better AI
Something cool is happening: women are leading the charge in building AI that actually solves real problems. While others focus on technical specs, female founders and engineers are creating products that understand how humans actually work. The winners in 2026 will be those who prioritize human understanding over raw computing power.
B2B Payments Get Actually Simple
Here’s what’s overdue: the end of chasing invoices. By 2026, B2B payments will work more like Venmo than wire transfers. Smart contracts will handle the boring stuff automatically. Money moves when work is done, not 30-60 days later. We’re building this future because founders shouldn’t be part-time collection agents.
The Creator Middle Class Emerges
The creator economy is evolving beyond the top 1%. By 2026, we’ll see a thriving middle class of creators making solid livings. Better monetization tools, fractional CFO services built into platforms, and automated business operations will make sustainable creator businesses the norm, not the exception.
Remote Work Tools Get Human
Video calls and Slack aren’t cutting it. By 2026, remote collaboration tools will finally crack the code on making distributed teams feel connected. Think spatial audio that makes conversations natural, async tools that preserve context without endless threads, and “presence” that doesn’t mean being always-on. The future of work is flexible AND connected.
The Real Innovation: Knowing When to Stay Human
In the AI era, here’s still something very genuine I value a lot: success in 2026 means knowing what NOT to automate. Some moments need humans, the difficult conversation, the creative spark, the “I believe in what you’re building.” Smart companies will protect these moments while automating everything else.
