Why Small Business Loans Are Broken (Fintech CEO Reveals Fix)

• 75% of small businesses get rejected for loans - but what if the system is rigged? Michel de Rijk, Founder of Kredit Hero, exposes why traditional SME lending is broken and reveals how AI-powered marketplaces are revolutionizing business financing across Asia.In this episode of The Generalists, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler welcome Michel de Rijk, Founder of Kredit Hero, to discuss:
• • His journey from adtech (iWonder) to building programmatic platforms like Xaxis and leading growth at S4 Capital
  • Co-founding 19Volt’s venture-builder model and launching Kredit Hero, an AI-powered SME lending marketplace in the Philippines
  • How Kredit Hero matches lenders and borrowers digitally—closing Asia’s SME financing gap with speed, transparency, and competitive pricing
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• 00:00 Introduction & Episode Kickoff 00:17 Meeting Michel de Rijk & Singapore Journey 02:21 Building Xaxis & Programmatic Advertising 03:41 Transition to S4 Capital & Global Growth 11:48 Launching 19Volt & Venture Building Model 14:17 Kredit Hero: SME Lending Revolution 32:39 Lender–Borrower Matching & Transparency 34:20 Philippines Launch: Market Impact 35:18 Revenue Model & Competitive Advantage 35:59 Career Reflections & Ecosystem Challenges 50:38 Balancing Work, Life & Physical Wellness Hosts:

  • Michael Smith Jr.: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/
  • Razko Kotler: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/ ⁠

  Guest:

  • Michel de Rijk: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mderijk/ ⁠

  
  

  Resources & Links:

  • The Generalists Podcast: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheGeneralistsPodcast ⁠
  • Kredit Hero: ⁠https://kredithero.com 19Volt: https://www.19volt.com
  • S4 Capital: ⁠https://www.s4capital.com⁠
  • WPP: ⁠https://www.wpp.com/⁠

  
  

  #GeneralistsPodcast #SmallBusinessLending #FintechTrends