As part of a new interview series, Matt Hyde, Director of Recruit121 and FinTech Awards Wales, talks to a whole host of professionals in and around Wales’ thriving FinTech Sector.
Matt caught up with Omar Moulani, Founder at WeGetDesign.
1. What does WeGetDesign do and how does it benefit Fintech companies and other businesses?
WeGetDesign is a low-code software development company that helps start-ups, SMEs, and established businesses innovate and optimise their operations through technology. We provide scalable, cost-effective digital solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of Fintech companies and other industries, enabling them to overcome inefficiencies, modernise outdated systems, and bring new digital products to market quickly.
2. What motivated WeGetDesign to sponsor the Team of the Year category at the Fintech Awards Wales 2024?
Sponsoring the Team of the Year category reflects our commitment to recognising and supporting businesses that excel in innovation and collaboration—key drivers of success in the Fintech industry. We understand the challenges our clients face in building effective teams that can bring digital solutions to life.
By honouring those who exemplify collaboration and innovation, we highlight the importance of teamwork. Notably, teams that collaborate effectively are 15% more likely to achieve successful innovation, a core benefit we deliver to our clients. More significantly, companies focusing on developing and celebrating team achievements can see a 29% increase in profits, which aligns perfectly with our dedication to fostering strong, productive teams.
3. How does this sponsorship align with WeGetDesign’s core values and business objectives?
This sponsorship aligns with our core values of collaboration, innovation, and client empowerment. By recognising outstanding teams, we reinforce our mission to be a reliable partner in our clients' success, helping them translate business needs into functional, scalable applications that keep them competitive.
4. What significance does the Team of the Year category hold for WeGetDesign, and why do you believe it’s important to recognise outstanding teams in Fintech?
The Team of the Year category is deeply significant to WeGetDesign because it underscores the power of teamwork—a fundamental element in delivering impactful digital solutions. Recognising exceptional teams highlights the vital role of collaboration in overcoming complex challenges and driving innovation, which are crucial to our clients' success in the Fintech industry.
Since 2019, we have nurtured 12 apprenticeships, guiding them from entry-level roles to senior positions within our company. Our approach to teamwork draws inspiration from the legendary ethos of King Arthur’s Round Table, where every voice is valued, and learning from mistakes is essential for growth. This commitment to fostering talent and emphasising the importance of collaborative learning mirrors our dedication to celebrating and supporting outstanding teams in the broader Fintech community.
5. How does WeGetDesign support Fintech companies in creating effective and innovative design solutions?
At WeGetDesign, we support Fintech companies through our comprehensive Discover, Design, and Develop process, ensuring the creation of effective and innovative digital solutions.
Discover: We begin by deeply understanding the specific needs and challenges of our clients through extensive research and competitive analysis. This phase allows us to identify key opportunities and define the problem accurately, ensuring that our solutions are tailored to meet the unique demands of the Fintech sector.
Design: Leveraging low-code platforms, we prioritise user experience by crafting scalable, user-friendly applications. Our design process involves sketching wireframes, prototyping, and continuous testing to ensure the solutions are both intuitive and functional. This phase ensures that even companies without extensive in-house technical expertise can benefit from cutting-edge, effective design solutions.
Develop: Finally, we bring ideas to life by implementing robust code, collaborating closely with our clients throughout the process, and iterating based on feedback. Our development phase is grounded in continuous testing and documentation, ensuring that the final product is not only innovative but also reliable and scalable.
6. What design trends or principles do you think are most critical for Fintech teams to adopt in today’s competitive market?
In today’s rapidly evolving Fintech landscape, two key trends stand out as critical for success: the integration of AI-driven solutions and the adoption of low-code platforms.
1. AI-Driven Solutions: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the Fintech industry by enabling more personalized, efficient, and secure financial services. Fintech teams should focus on integrating AI into their design processes to enhance decision-making, automate routine tasks, and improve customer experiences. AI can be utilised for predictive analytics, fraud detection, customer service through chatbots, and personalised financial advice. This not only boosts operational efficiency but also allows for more tailored user experiences, which is becoming increasingly important in a customer-centric market.
2. Low-Code Platforms: The adoption of low-code platforms is another critical trend. These platforms allow Fintech teams to develop and deploy applications faster and with fewer resources, making innovation more accessible even to companies with limited technical expertise. Low-code development enables rapid prototyping, iterative design, and seamless integration with existing systems, all while maintaining scalability. This is particularly important in the Fintech industry, where the ability to quickly adapt to regulatory changes and market demands can be a significant competitive advantage.
By focusing on AI and low-code trends, Fintech teams can not only streamline their development processes but also deliver more innovative and responsive solutions that meet the needs of today’s consumers and businesses. Adopting these technologies helps Fintech companies stay ahead of the curve, offering cutting-edge services in a highly competitive market.
7. What role do you believe local ecosystems, such as those in Wales, play in the success of Fintech companies, and how can these ecosystems be strengthened?
Wales has become a vibrant hub for technology and Fintech, with Cardiff emerging as a key player in the UK’s digital economy. The region's ecosystem is supported by a strong network of start-ups, SMEs, and established firms, as well as a growing pool of tech talent and educational institutions that provide essential skills for the industry.
The Welsh tech scene, particularly in Cardiff, has seen significant growth, with the digital sector contributing £8.5 billion to the Welsh economy. The region's Fintech sector benefits from initiatives such as the FinTech Wales organisation, which connects companies with resources, mentors, and partners, enabling them to scale effectively and compete on a global stage.
To strengthen these ecosystems further, it's essential to continue fostering collaboration between businesses, academia, and government bodies. This can be achieved by:
Increasing Access to Funding: Providing more financial support and incentives for start-ups and SMEs in the Fintech space will help them innovate and scale more rapidly.
Enhancing Education and Training: Expanding tech-focused educational programs and apprenticeships will ensure a steady flow of skilled workers, particularly in emerging areas like AI and low-code development, which are critical to the future of Fintech.
Promoting Collaboration and Networking: Creating more opportunities for networking and collaboration, such as tech meetups, incubators, and industry conferences, will help Fintech companies share knowledge, forge partnerships, and stay ahead of market trends.
8. What excites you personally about the Fintech industry and the potential it holds?
The Fintech industry’s potential to transform traditional financial services and drive innovation on a global scale excites me the most. I’m inspired by the opportunity to help businesses of all sizes leverage technology to enhance their operations, reach new markets, and remain competitive in a fast-evolving industry.
9. Finally, what is your favorite book you have read and why?
My favourite book is “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries. It resonates deeply with our client-centric approach at WeGetDesign, emphasising the importance of rapid iteration, learning from feedback, and continuously improving to meet the evolving needs of our clients.