Hey there 👋
It's time for another 🛰️ FounderNest Flyby Newsletter 🛰️, where we help you stay sharp with innovation trends and insights.
This week, our research team listened to your feedback on LinkedIn, so get ready to start your engines and discover what is fueling the banking industry.
In today’s newsletter:
- 💡 Our insights from this week
- 🗞️ Quick Hits from this week’s news
- 🤖 This week’s banking Deep Dive
- 📡 11 trends from our Industry Radar
(Est. reading time: 5 mins)
Our insights.
"Teams risk wasting resources by executing ideas without frequent validation, often realizing critical flaws too late. Agile innovation methodologies, with quick, iterative cycles and regular customer testing, can address this by allowing teams to gather early feedback, adjust efficiently, and validate assumptions with minimal resource expenditure."
Felix Gonzalez
CEO and Co-Founder at FounderNest
"Even innovative teams can become trapped in rigid structures or outdated processes, limiting experimentation and adaptation. Encouraging external collaboration, cross-functional teams, and continuous learning can break these barriers, fostering a culture that values experimentation and adaptability over adherence to established practices."
Miguel Gonzalez
COO and Co-Founder at FounderNest
Quick Hits.
Short and sweet—news that caught our eye this week.
📈 Financial barriers, such as the cost-of-doing-business crisis, and recruitment challenges are major hurdles, underscoring the necessity for external support and strategic investment in innovation.
🚀 Core innovation often focuses on process optimization and cost reduction, while transformational innovation is driven by new products and sustainability. Companies innovate reactively (e.g., to cut costs) rather than proactively (e.g., to leverage AI).
📊 AI is a central driver of business transformation, enhancing efficiency and decision-making, but many organizations struggle with scaling AI solutions effectively, needing robust digital infrastructure for success.
Deep Dive: Navigating Optimism and Challenges - The Future of Banking in 2025.
Our bread and butter—comprehensive, personalized industry insights.
TL;DR
- 🏦 Banking optimism is at a decade-high due to economic stability and improved loan margins.
- 🔍 Economic uncertainty and high-interest rates pose challenges, impacting mortgage refinancing.
- ⚖️ Rule 1033's regulatory pressures raise concerns over data access and Big Tech advantages.
- 🛡️ Cybersecurity and competition from fintechs remain significant threats to traditional banks.
1. 🏦 Optimism in the Banking Industry Reaches a Decade-High
Over 80% of bank and credit union executives express optimism about 2025, marking the highest confidence level since 2017. This positive outlook is fueled by factors such as economic stability, anticipated regulatory relief, and improved loan margins. However, despite this optimism, there are ongoing concerns about interest rates, regulatory burdens, and competitive threats that could impact the industry.
2. 🔍 Economic Uncertainty and Interest Rate Challenges
Community banks are experiencing challenges with reducing deposit costs quickly, even though their funding costs may have peaked. While there is an uptick in loan demand, high-interest rates pose a risk by potentially slowing down mortgage refinancing and credit expansion. The economic outlook remains uncertain, with regulatory policies expected to significantly influence the landscape by 2025.
3. ⚖️ Growing Regulatory Pressures, Especially Rule 1033
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) Rule 1033 requires banks to provide standardized electronic access to consumer financial data. Many financial institutions view this regulation as more of a risk than a benefit, worrying that it might advantage Big Tech and fintech companies. Additional concerns include data privacy, consumer education gaps, and potential exploitation of consumer data.
Find here the full research
Source: Cornerstone Advisors
Industry Radar.
Stay ahead of the curve—every newsletter we give you 11 of the hottest topics and trends across our reference industries.
1. Oil and energy: Navigating the Energy Transition Trilemma
With hydrogen development at a crossroads and LNG investments surging, the region's energy dynamics are shifting. Emerging trends in super grids and AI integration promise both challenges and opportunities, as nuclear energy reemerges as a significant player by 2025.
2. Food and beverages: Kraft Heinz's AI Revolution in Supply Chain
Kraft Heinz is transforming its supply chain with AI and machine learning to enhance efficiency and ingredient quality, part of its "Agile@Scale" journey. Utilizing the proprietary Kraft Heinz Lighthouse control tower, the company achieves real-time visibility and proactive decision-making from farm to fork. Innovations like AI-driven cucumber inspections and the "PlantChat" system are boosting productivity and paving the way for a more autonomous supply chain.
FounderNest Bonus: We decided to explore other partnerships and collaborations that Kraft Heinz established over the years by asking our Competitive Intelligence tool. Check out some of the partnerships below. Get in touch to see how we can help.
3. Healthcare: AI Revolutionizes Clinical Trials: Market to Surpass $21.7 Billion by 2030
The AI-based clinical trials market is rapidly evolving, projected to grow from $9.17 billion in 2025 to $21.79 billion by 2030. AI integration is reshaping every trial phase, enhancing design, data analysis, and patient recruitment, driven by cutting-edge technologies like machine learning and predictive analytics.
4. Technology: M&A Surge Driven by Carve-Outs and Tech Focus in 2025
In 2025, M&A activity in technology, media, and telecommunications will be fueled by carve-outs as companies simplify portfolios, focusing heavily on technology and infrastructure. An inflection point in AI investment will shift focus from infrastructure to software, while media sees consolidation and creative partnerships.
5. Retail and logistics: Retailers Embrace AI Amid Integration Challenges
As AI adoption surges, retailers face hurdles like training demands and customer trust issues, but aim for benefits in loss prevention and inventory management. Major players, including Gap and Walmart, are crafting AI strategies to enhance operations, with consumer transparency becoming crucial.
FounderNest Bonus: We asked our Market Intelligence tool to dive deeper into the AI trends shaping the industry. Below are just some of the results. Get in touch to see how we can help.
6. Farming and agriculture: ATGRO SCR Targets €500M for Sustainable Agricultural Investment
ATGRO SCR, an investment vehicle by Santander and Grupo Atitlan, reached a first closing of €300 million, aiming for €500 million by Q3 2025. With assets in pistachios and Peruvian grapes, ATGRO is attracting global investors focused on environmental and social initiatives. Active negotiations could soon boost investments to over €250 million.
7. Banking: AI in Banking 2025: 45% of Credit Unions and 25% of Banks Have Deployed Chatbots
AI adoption is accelerating, with 45% of credit unions and 25% of banks using chatbots, while 36% of credit unions and 16% of banks have implemented generative AI. In 2025, 28% of banks and 29% of credit unions plan to introduce generative AI tools. AI-driven efficiencies could generate over $500K in cost savings for banks and $1.3M for credit unions.
8. Pharmaceuticals: Balancing Innovation and Regulation
In 2025, the pharmaceutical industry faces a crossroads between tech-driven innovation and regulatory challenges. Advances in AI and genomics promise personalized treatments, while regulatory pressures and workforce shortages pose hurdles. Pharma companies are investing in AI for R&D, optimizing supply chains for resilience, and transforming customer engagement to drive growth.
FounderNest Bonus: We’ve created a market space and discovered some of the fastest growing companies using AI in the Pharmaceuticals space. Check them out! Get in touch to see how we can help.
9. Manufacturing: Embracing Tech and Sustainability Amid Challenges
Despite a slight growth decline, innovation persists with over 1 million patents and rising employment. Key hubs in the USA, China, and India lead the charge, supported by significant investments. Sustainable practices and automation are reshaping the industry, positioning it for a resilient and sustainable future.
10. Aerospace: Aviation's New Flight Path: Balancing Demand and Production Hurdles
In 2025, the aviation industry is booming with record passenger numbers and a projected 32% increase in the global fleet by 2035. However, supply chain issues and production setbacks, notably with Boeing's 737 MAX, hinder aircraft availability, extending order backlogs. An aging fleet boosts the MRO market, projected to reach $119 billion in 2025. Emerging markets like India are fueling growth, while regions like North America and Europe face modernization challenges amid labor shortages.
11. Automotive: GM and Nvidia Partner to Revolutionize Vehicles with AI
General Motors and Nvidia are collaborating to integrate AI technology into GM’s vehicles and production facilities. Utilizing Nvidia’s Drive AGX and Omniverse platforms, GM aims to enhance autonomous driving, in-cabin experiences, and production efficiency through digital twins and AI-driven simulations.
