Ben Pfisterer is an ex-NAB, Visa and Square employee who co-founded Zeller, an Australian fintech company that achieved unicorn status - reaching a valuation of $1 billion - in less than two years.
Under his leadership, Zeller has attracted over 85,000 customers and secured $180 million in funding, revolutionizing business banking in Australia by offering integrated financial solutions that challenge traditional banking giants.
He built fast, made bold bets, and outworked the competition - and Zeller is now challenging the banks that have dominated Australia for decades.
If you're a founder, operator, or just someone who wants to understand how startups win at scale, this episode is for you.
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Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, KC Ventures! They help Australian startups scale by providing strategic financial advice.
You can find KC Ventures at https://kcventures.com.au/ or message their founder Luke Rix on Linkedin to get in contact directly.
00:00 Introduction to Zeller's Success
00:10 Challenges and Low Points
00:22 Go-to-Market Strategy
00:35 Ben Pfisterer's Background
01:00 The Startup Community and Zeller for Startups
01:25 Building a Culture of Speed
02:33 Ben's Early Life and Influences
04:48 Competitiveness and Design in Zeller
05:52 Direct Approach to Leadership
07:05 Navigating Bureaucratic Organizations
10:02 Insights into the Financial System
12:16 Founding and Growing Zeller
17:33 Hiring and Building a Team
19:40 Rapid Growth and Execution
22:19 Sponsor Break: KC Ventures
22:35 Strategic Work and Scaling Startups
22:50 Optimal Timing for Founders to Seek Help
23:11 Product Growth and Market Penetration
25:25 Challenges and Resilience in Startup Journey
28:27 Building a Culture of Speed and Efficiency
30:58 Balancing Work Intensity and Employee Well-being
33:37 Zeller for Startups: Revolutionizing Financial Services
38:23 Future of Customer Experience in Financial Services
40:47 Endless Entrepreneurial Journey
42:46 Conclusion and Wrap-up