Fintech market leaders gathered in London to discuss global exit strategies
On June 30, 2026, London’s fintech community gathered at Crown Agents Bank for Fintech Circle Summer Drinks, an event focused on successful business exits. Journalists from UA.News were in attendance.
Organized by Susanna Chishti and Fintech Circle, the evening featured a high-profile presentation by Anand Sambasivan, co-founder and CEO of PrimaryBid. He recently announced the sale of his company to SoFi, a fintech giant listed on the U.S. stock exchange.
In his speech, Anand Sambasivan shared his experience of transforming PrimaryBid from an idea to democratize investing to adapting the business amid extreme market volatility that arose following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite a 95% year-over-year decline in global IPO volumes, the company was able to pivot its business model by shifting to licensing its proprietary technologies, which ultimately led to a swift acquisition by SoFi.
James Hopkinson, Chief Financial Officer of Crown Agents Bank, opened the event with a discussion on the evolution of the relationship between traditional financial institutions and new market players. He emphasized that his 200-year-old bank now successfully provides a complex local infrastructure, including payment gateways and licenses, which are essential for agile fintech companies to grow rapidly in the challenging markets of the Global South.
During the panel discussion, Hayley Thompson, a partner and head of the fintech practice at Deloitte UK, drew attention to the emotional aspect of business sale transactions. She emphasized that exiting a company is a complex psychological process for founders, so the choice of a financial or legal advisor should be based not only on their professional credentials but also on their ability to provide personal support.
The event demonstrated that, despite macroeconomic challenges and interest rate fluctuations, the British fintech sector remains resilient. PrimaryBid’s experience confirms that innovations that solve real-world problems remain attractive to major global buyers, and that synergy between traditional banks and startups is key to bridging global infrastructure gaps.
Key Quotes from Speakers
1. Anand Sambasivan on determination:
“If you know what you want to do—do it fast!”
Context: When asked how he knew the right steps to take during the company’s turnaround and eventual sale, Sambasivan emphasized the need for “ruthless” speed once a founder has a clear understanding of their direction.
2. James Hopkins on collaborative innovation:
“We don’t believe in a conflict between banks and fintech companies. We believe that banks and fintech companies work together to solve real-world problems based on what each brings to the table.”
Context: Hopkinson addressed the traditional divide between established banks and startups, arguing that the most significant opportunities arise through strategic partnerships that leverage existing regulated infrastructure.
3. Hayley Thompson on the founder’s journey:
“It’s probably… quite an emotional journey… to have someone who isn’t just a ‘normal’ person with the best resume, but someone you can connect with as a person and rely on… that’s really important.”
Context: During the panel discussion, Thompson emphasized that exit advisory isn’t just about financial metrics; it’s about providing personal support to founders navigating their first major acquisition.
4. Anand Sambasivan on the “For Important People Only” status quo:
“IPO stands for initial public offering… but it almost feels like it stands for ‘Only for Important People,’ and the banks are responsible for that… our company was founded to fix that.”
Context: Sambasivan shared the initial motivation behind founding PrimaryBid, which was to democratize access to public offerings for ordinary retail investors.
Source: UA.News.
