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Kyle Collier

At our company, our mission is to bridge the gap between digital economies and everyday shopping through the power of branded payments. We understand that the world is rapidly evolving, with digital transactions becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives. Therefore, we strive to create innovative solutions that seamlessly connect these digital ecosystems to the traditional brick-and-mortar retail experience.

Our core values revolve around enhancing the way people transact and interact with businesses. We believe in fostering a user-centric approach where convenience, security, and efficiency are paramount. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships, we aim to simplify the payment process while ensuring that both consumers and merchants benefit from a frictionless experience.

Through our branded payments platform, we empower businesses to establish their unique digital presence and effectively engage with customers. By incorporating their branding and identity into the payment process, we enable businesses to create stronger connections and reinforce customer loyalty. At the same time, we facilitate secure and seamless transactions, allowing consumers to enjoy the benefits of digital economies without compromising their trust and security.

We are passionate about shaping the future of commerce, and our commitment to innovation drives us to constantly evolve and adapt to the changing landscape. With a focus on building lasting relationships and delivering value to all stakeholders involved, we aim to revolutionize the way people shop and transact in the digital age.

In summary, our company’s mission is to connect digital economies to everyday shopping through branded payments. We are dedicated to providing businesses and consumers with a seamless, secure, and personalized payment experience that enhances their engagement and unlocks the full potential of the digital marketplace.

Tell us about yourself?

My educational background is as a System Design Engineering graduate from the University of Waterloo, where I gained a strong foundation in engineering principles and problem-solving techniques. This multidisciplinary program equipped me with a diverse set of skills, including system analysis, design thinking, and project management.

After completing my degree, I delved into the world of entrepreneurship and startups, driven by a passion for innovation and the desire to make a meaningful impact. One of my notable experiences involved building a prepaid digital gift card company from an initial idea to generating multi-millions of dollars in revenue. This endeavour allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the fintech industry, including market dynamics, consumer behaviour, and technology trends.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working for various early-stage fintech companies, where I played pivotal roles in product development, business strategy, and market expansion. These experiences exposed me to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the startup ecosystem, honing my ability to adapt quickly, think critically, and thrive in a challenging environment.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to participate in renowned startup accelerator programs such as Techstars and Founders Institute. These programs provided invaluable mentorship, guidance, and networking opportunities, allowing me to connect with industry experts, refine my entrepreneurial skills, and gain exposure to a wide range of startup ventures.

Ultimately, my background in system design engineering, combined with my entrepreneurial journey and experiences in the fintech industry, has shaped my passion for leveraging technology and innovation to create impactful solutions. This line of work aligns with my core values of problem-solving, continuous learning, and making a positive difference in the world. I am excited to continue pushing boundaries, collaborating with talented individuals, and contributing to the advancement of technology and entrepreneurship.

I am passionate about my current line of work because I strongly believe that there is a need for alternatives to traditional payment systems dominated by giants like Visa and Mastercard.

Throughout my journey in the fintech industry, I have witnessed the challenges faced by both consumers and merchants in terms of payment processing. The existing systems often suffer from slow settlement times, high transaction costs, and a lack of transparency. This motivated me to explore innovative solutions that can provide faster payouts, lower costs, and an overall improved experience for all stakeholders involved.

By venturing into the realm of prepaid digital gift cards and working closely with early-stage fintech companies, I gained firsthand insights into the pain points and inefficiencies of the current payment landscape. This inspired me to contribute to the development and adoption of alternative payment systems that can address these issues and deliver tangible benefits to consumers and merchants alike.

I am driven by the vision of creating a more inclusive, efficient, and user-centric payment ecosystem. I believe that leveraging technology, data-driven insights, and disruptive business models can pave the way for new solutions that empower individuals and businesses with faster and more cost-effective payment options. This belief fuels my passion and dedication to this line of work.

By challenging the status quo and pushing for innovation, I aim to contribute to the evolution of the payments industry and make a positive impact on the lives of people and businesses. I am committed to building bridges between technology and finance and to shaping a future where seamless, secure, and accessible payment solutions are readily available to all.

Overall, my motivation to improve the payment experience and provide alternatives to traditional systems drives me to continue exploring and contributing to the fintech space. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and the potential for transformative change in the industry.

If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

If I could go back in time a year or two and offer a piece of advice to myself, I would certainly have a mix of half-joking and serious suggestions. On the one hand, I’d probably joke about investing in Toronto real estate, considering the skyrocketing prices in recent years. However, on a more serious note, I would emphasize the importance of never taking health for granted.

Reflecting on the past year, I vividly remember the challenging and painful period I went through due to a serious injury. I was handicapped and bedridden for nearly a year, unable to walk or sit properly and struggling to perform even the simplest tasks. It was an incredibly frustrating and disheartening experience.

During that time, I relied on a maximum dosage of painkillers and endured numerous hospital visits. Eventually, I underwent spinal surgery, which was a significant turning point in my recovery. Gradually, with determination and perseverance, I regained my mobility and was able to resume my work.

Experiencing such a difficult and prolonged health setback taught me a valuable lesson. It reminded me of the fragility of our bodies and how easily we can take our well-being for granted. I would tell myself to cherish my health, prioritize self-care, and be proactive in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Furthermore, I would advise myself to be grateful for the simple activities and abilities that I might have previously overlooked. Walking, sitting comfortably, and engaging in day-to-day tasks without hindrance are things we often take for granted until we no longer have them. I would remind myself to appreciate these seemingly ordinary moments and to find joy in the small things.

Additionally, I would encourage myself to be more aware of my physical limits and to listen to my body. Pushing too hard or neglecting signs of strain or exhaustion can have significant consequences. It’s essential to find a balance between ambition and self-care, allowing for proper rest and recovery when needed.

Overall, going back in time to offer this advice would serve as a reminder to prioritize health and well-being above all else. Investing in real estate may have its benefits, but nothing compares to the value of good health and the ability to live life to the fullest.

What problem does your business solve?

We provide the infrastructure enabling any small business to connect with thousands of brands around the world.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

Getting access to digital gift cards is a near-impossible process for small companies. There are tough brand approvals, antiquated technologies, long processes, and difficult-to-understand code bases. These things all have to be dealt with on a per-country basis.

What is your magic sauce?

Phaze provides instant access to thousands of brands across 150 countries in one easy-to-use API. Meaning companies can get up and running quickly with all of our digital gift card brands, where this process normally takes months.

What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?

We will become a global standard in payouts for employees, companies, and platforms around the world.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

We switched from a B2C focus to a B2B focus. We started with consumers because we needed to validate a few hypotheses first.

How can people get involved?

Checkout www.Phaze.io and book a call with our team!