Keynote Topics
The age-old traditional banking system was not made for everyone. With over 2 billion people worldwide considered financially underserved and over half of Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck and relying on predatory services like payday lenders and title loan services to try to make ends meet, financial inclusion has become a hot topic.
Sheena speaks on the problems ranging from no access to banks due to the increase of banking deserts, being unbanked due to lack of trust in banks or not being able to afford the fees associated with many banks, and millennials being coined the unbanked generation. Tech is now ready to have a significant impact on financial inclusion.
Sheena created her second startup, social fintech company CapWay, to tackle the issues with financial inclusion. Technology has a history of disrupting industries – from Uber to AirBnB.
It is now time technology and new leadership use technology to create access and opportunity for those who don’t fit the model designed by banks years and years ago.
How many times have you heard someone say, “I have this amazing idea for an app?”
Well, a lot of people do! Unfortunately, most people with the idea have no clue what the next step they should take and for those who think they know, they usually assume that means contacting a developer to start coding their idea into an app.
They completely skip over understanding the side of their app that should be well understood before ever reaching out to a developer.
There is so much to the mapping out of a mobile app that should be done before ever contacting a developer that is never done.
Key lessons from this talk include:
Don’t go directly from app idea to app development. That is like having a car (app idea) and tires (app developer), but with no gas (app strategy and mapping).
The entire app process – from idea all the way to deployment in the app store.
Understanding how the app stores work – Apple AppStore vs. Android
How to create a flow-chart
What to look for when searching for an app developer and what are the red flags you may be dealing with someone who won’t deliver.
Majority of all startups focus on getting an investment from a VC (venture capitalist) or angel investor. After all, it is the companies who are raising millions and millions of dollars that are being featured by the top media outlets in the world.
However, getting venture capital funding is not the right path for everyone. Many founders focus on raising money and lose focus on building their company or don’t always fully understand what it means to raise money. The reality is that for every investment a company takes, the company because less and less controlled by the founder or founding team.
Bootstrapping has become something that is overlooked. While each has its pros and cons, the media has put way more pros on getting an investment versus bootstrapping.
Sheena Allen bootstrapped her first startup, Sheena Allen Apps, to millions of app downloads while she has raised two rounds of funding for her second startup, CapWay. Sheena can attest to the pros and cons of each side.
Key lessons from this talk include:
Women and minorities are still fighting to be respected in the tech world. For a culture that has been dominated by the “bro-code” of mainly white men, having diversity in the room is becoming more and more of a demand with numbers showing that more diverse teams are more successful.
From lack of respect to lack of funding, being a minority in tech has been an uphill battle. Though small victories have been won, there is still a long way to go.
Sheena often has spoken about walking in rooms and realizing she has three strikes against her – she’s black, she’s a female, and she’s from Mississippi – a place a lot of the rest of the world think consists of only racists and poorly educated minorities.
If three strikes you’re out is supposed to be the standard, when speaking on woman and minorities in tech, Sheena talks motivate, provide resources, and provides a guide on how being a woman and minority is tech breaks the standard.
Years ago, athletes wanted to be rappers; rappers wanted to be athletes. In present day, both, plus actors and actresses, want to get into tech.
From rapper Chamillionaire to athletes like Stef Curry, those in pop culture are now wanting to be in tech. But who can blame them, especially when we see that pop culture has so much influence on the tech that we use daily.
Black Twitter is said to have kept Twitter alive in their darkest days, blogs like ShadeRoom have built million dollar businesses by taking advantage of social media, and artists can now skip trying to get a record label and go straight to the internet. Pop culture has infiltrated the tech space and that is not going to change anytime soon.
From rapping Drake’s lyrics from his song 6PM in New York, “We prolly be out in Silicon tryna get our billions on” to talking of how Beyonce shook the world by announcing her surprise album via Instagram to speaking on the false reality of social media, Sheena dives deep into the new relationship between tech and pop culture.
Gallery
Videos
Belongs to these categories
Sheena Allen started her first tech company, Sheena Allen Apps, and bootstrapped the media tech company to millions of downloads. In 2011 during her senior year in college, Sheena started her first tech company, Sheena Allen Apps, and bootstrapped the startup to generate millions of mobile app downloads. In 2019, she started executing on her […]
Sheena Allen started her first tech company, Sheena Allen Apps, and bootstrapped the media tech company to millions of downloads.
In 2011 during her senior year in college, Sheena started her first tech company, Sheena Allen Apps, and bootstrapped the startup to generate millions of mobile app downloads. In 2019, she started executing on her second tech startup, CapWay, which gave Sheena the title of the youngest female in America to own and operate a digital bank. The fintech company focuses on creating economic access and opportunities for all through inclusive financial products and services, including banking, content, payments, and more.
In 2016, Sheena made her film premiere in She Started It, a documentary that follows five women around on their startup journey. In 2022, Sheena starred in a second, this time solo and short documentary, created by Google for their Black Women in Tech series. In addition to film, Sheena has also released a print book titled The Starting Guide about her early journey in tech, being a non-technical founder, and business 101 tips.
This led her to start her second startup, CapWay. CapWay is a neobank that also includes financial education and gamified microlending for those who do not fit into the traditional banking system.
Starting CapWay at the age of 27 makes Sheena the youngest black female to have found and operate a neobank.
In late 2016, Sheena made her premiere in She Started It, a documentary film that follows five women around on their startup journey.
The response from The Starting Guide led Sheena to start App It Out, an interactive workbook, curriculum, and virtual sessions around simplifying app ideas and app development.
Sheena has traveled around the world and spoke on subjects such as owning a successful tech company as a non-technical founder and inclusion in tech.
She has been featured in various publications, including Black Enterprise and EBONY Magazine. Sheena is a 2018 Business Insider Under 30 Innovator and part of the Forbes 30 Under 30 2019 class.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter
No products matching your search
ResetDamian Pelliccione, recognized as one of Business Insider’s “Top 16 Power Player Execs in AD Video Streaming Space”, is a visionary leader in the ever-evolving landscape of digital media. As the driving force behind finance, business development, and advertising sales/operations at Revry, Damian embodies innovation and strategic acumen. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, […]
Scott Steinberg is not your ordinary speaker. Hailed as “The Master of Innovation” by Chase Bank and Fortune magazine, he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of strategic consulting, trend analysis, and professional speaking. With an illustrious career spanning decades, Scott Steinberg has earned recognition as a bestselling author, trends expert, […]
Julie Austin is an award-winning author, inventor, futurist, innovation speaker, and member of the World Future Society. She’s an internationally known thought leader on the topic of innovation, and CEO of the consulting firm Creative Innovation Group. She’s been an innovation keynote speaker for corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Northrop Grumman, and […]
Ben Casnocha is a dynamic figure in the realm of entrepreneurship, venture capital, and leadership. With a track record of success in Silicon Valley and beyond, he has earned recognition as an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and influential voice in the startup ecosystem. As a co-founder and partner at Village Global, a prestigious venture capital firm […]
Lili Gil Valletta is a distinguished authority in cultural intelligence and business transformation. As the co-founder and CEO of CIEN+, she has pioneered innovative strategies that help organizations harness the power of cultural diversity to drive growth and innovation. Her expertise and influence extend across various industries, making her a sought-after speaker for events focused […]
Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut, is a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University and the senior advisor for space programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. \ He received a BS from Columbia University, and MS degrees in mechanical engineering and in technology and policy, as well as a PhD in […]
Emily Best is the dynamic founder and CEO of Seed&Spark, a groundbreaking platform that has revolutionized the way independent films are financed, produced, and distributed. Her work as an advocate for equity and inclusion within the entertainment industry and beyond has positioned her as a leading voice in leveraging entertainment for social impact. Emily’s commitment […]
Aaron Bare is not your ordinary speaker; he’s a force of change, a beacon of inspiration, and a catalyst for growth. As a Change Agent, Human Profit Center, and Strategic Facilitator, Aaron brings a unique blend of expertise to every stage he graces. His insights have garnered attention from prestigious publications such as the Wall […]
Crystal Washington is a dynamic professional speaker renowned for her expertise in leveraging technology to drive profitability and enhance productivity for organizations worldwide. With a passion for empowering businesses to harness the full potential of emerging digital tools, Crystal has carved a niche for herself as a leading authority on the intersection of technology and […]
Ted Souder – Is a former Google insider, former Vice-Chair of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce & current Board Director at 1871, the top-rated technology incubator in the world. One of Google’s earliest employees, Ted spent 20+ years helping write one of the greatest business stories of all time. From its origin as a fledgling Search […]
Zeynep Ton is a professor, author and leading expert on operations management in retail and service businesses. She is a sought-after international keynote speaker who has spoken at major conferences worldwide on topics ranging from leadership and innovation to women in technology. In 2017, Zeynep co-founded Good Jobs Institute, and she serves as the President. The […]
Rachel Rodgers is the visionary force behind Hello Seven, a thriving enterprise dedicated to empowering women to redefine their relationship with money. As the founder of this multi-million dollar company, Rachel has emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of entrepreneurship and financial empowerment. Her accolades extend beyond the business world, as she has […]
No results available
ResetThese remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
We are actively working to have our profiles current with Keynote Speech titles, and Summaries.
Some Speakers do not have a set title or summary for their topic lists. Instead they customize for each. Other speakers only do moderated conversations.
If you do not see content here, please contact us.
We also have ample information off line that we can share as some do not want to have visible profiles and as such these are hidden pages. Or in the event we do not have the information, we can contact the speaker to provide and share.
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2024. Designed using Voxel
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |