About this episode
In this episode of Funds and Founders, we sit down with Michael, co-founder of Q Branch and Populace, who shares how he's helping international startups enter the U.S. and launching a fintech platform to fight financial inequality. From federal contracts and government culture to empowering underserved Americans through passive investing and discount networks, Michael breaks down the hard truths of money, persistence, and building in Austin.What You’ll Learn:- Why Most Startups Fail to Enter the U.S. Market- The Broken Banking System and a Grassroots Fix- Real Talk on Financial Literacy- Startup Persistence & the 18-Month Grind- What U.S. Founders Can Learn From International BuildersTimestamps:00:00 - Intro & How They Met00:30 - What Is Q Branch?01:30 - Helping International Startups in the U.S.02:10 - Government Contracts & Go-to-Market03:20 - Populist: A Fintech for the 99%05:00 - Breaking Down Financial Literacy06:00 - How Populist Reverses the Bank Model07:40 - Making Passive Investing Accessible09:10 - Michael’s Entrepreneurship Origin Story11:00 - Lessons From Federal Contracting13:00 - How Q Branch Got Its First Deal15:00 - Founder Persistence & Mentality17:00 - Talking About Ideas Early19:00 - U.S. vs International Founders21:00 - Austin’s Startup Community25:00 - Picking the Right Ecosystem29:00 - Building Populace: From Idea to Launch32:00 - Real Cost of Building a Fintech Startup34:00 - Launch Strategy & What’s Next35:00 - Final Advice for Founders
