Fintech entrepreneurship: an interview with Kantox CEO Philippe Gelis

This is a Zoom interview with Philippe Gelis, founder and CEO of Kantox. Founded in 2011, Kantox is a fintech specializing is foreign exchange management for small and medium-size companies (SMEs). This interview was conducted in September 2021; in October 2022, Kantox was acquired by the leading French bank BNP Paribas for 120 million euros. The interview is conducted by David J. Keogh, an actor-screenwriter who was previously a senior executive in the banking and fintech sectors.

The interview can be used in classes on both fintech and on entrepreneurship. The interview touches on three key themes: entrepreneurship and the life of an entrepreneur; the past, present and future of a particular fintech, Kantox; and the evolution of the fintech industry. It presents an opportunity to discuss the decisions and the mindset of a successful and outspoken fintech entrepreneur shortly before he sold the company to a large bank (but stayed on as a CEO). Suggested discussion and multiple choice questions are below, followed by a full interview transcript.

For more information on this and other Open Teaching and Learning Resources from TBS, visit https://tbs.bs/ig.