How to architect scalable infrastructure for B2B FinTech?
What does it take to build fintech products that actually work for SMEs? Not just code — but deep domain insight, strategic tech choices, and leadership that bridges product, engineering, and business.
In the latest Devico Breakfast Bar Podcast, Jakob Carlbring — founder of Strawbay, Blingdale, and Quiddly — joins host Oleg Sadikov to share hard-won lessons from building financial tools and ERP platforms from scratch.
From AI adoption services to software development outsourcing, this episode covers how to scale smart — without losing clarity or control.
Listen here: https://www.deviqa.com/podcasts/jakob-carlbring/
What we learned from Jakob Carlbring
SMEs don’t need more features — they need cash flow clarity
Jakob’s work with growing businesses revealed a recurring issue: cash flow tools that fail to reflect real-time realities.
The solution? Build systems that think like SMEs do — flexible, adaptive, and integrated.
Fintech products need to surface insights, not just provide data dumps.
Building an ERP from the ground up isn’t for the faint of heart
Jakob shares the architectural mindset required to develop a customizable, secure ERP system — not just for today’s users, but for tomorrow’s scaling.
Start with a strong core. Let the rest flex.
Design security and scalability in tandem.
Use modular thinking to reduce rework and accelerate delivery.
AI adoption: move fast, but not blind
AI is everywhere — but Jakob warns against rushing in.
Align AI use cases with real business problems.
Don’t offload decision-making to opaque models.
Maintain human-in-the-loop governance, especially in finance.
This is essential advice for leaders rolling out AI adoption services inside fast-moving product teams.
Outsourcing development without losing the plot
When building across multiple ventures, Jakob leaned on software development outsourcing — but with strategy.
Keep core architecture and vision in-house.
Choose partners who understand your domain, not just your stack.
Build systems for knowledge transfer to avoid single points of failure.
Tech teams that scale start with mindset
Jakob’s hiring philosophy focuses less on resumes and more on product intuition.
Prioritize engineers who understand business constraints.
Look for people who can ship fast and maintain long-term quality.
Build teams that communicate, challenge, and iterate with purpose.
Building great software isn’t about features — it’s about focus. Jakob’s story is a reminder that when tech, leadership, and business strategy align, you don’t just ship faster — you build platforms that last.
