From Street Hustler to Fintech CEO - Victor ‘DIVINE’ Lombard’s Journey with Ben Horowitz’s Mentorship

GETMORE HEREDiscover how Victor “DIVINE” Lombard went from street hustler to fintech CEO, with guidance from Ben Horowitz, and a mission to transform how finance serves overlooked communities.Fintech entrepreneur Victor “DIVINE” Lombard shares his journey from street hustler to CEO, revealing how mentorship, compliance, and purpose-driven startups can transform access to financial tools with Tedd Huff Voalyre CEO on Fintech Confidential. They to expose the blind spots in today’s financial system and why creators are locked out before they even get started.With firsthand experience on both sides of the table, Victor reveals how he’s building purpose-driven fintech to empower independent artists with access to financial services, real mentorship, and education. This isn’t theory—it’s a blueprint, shaped by hard-earned lessons and grounded in reality.Together, they unpack: • Why traditional banking metrics fail creators • How compliance, when mastered, can build trust—not block progress • What it takes to design sustainable financial ecosystems from the ground up • Why mentorship often matters more than a credit scoreWhether you’re a startup founder, creative entrepreneur, or fintech builder—this conversation delivers rare, real insight.Takeaways1️⃣ Build Systems Before You Scale – Early structure avoids chaos later2️⃣ Use Compliance To Build Credibility – Master regulation before you need it3️⃣ Train Your Team Like Operators – Start onboarding with education4️⃣ Pitch Value, Not Your Backstory – Focus on what you’re solving5️⃣ Design Products For Real Use – Reflect real workflows, not trendsLinksVictor Lombard (aka DIVINE)Instagram: www.instagram.com/divine4thletterNotesWebsite: www.notestechnology.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/notestechnologyFacebook: www.facebook.com/notestechnologyincYouTube: www.youtube.com/@notestechnologyInstagram: www.instagram.com/notestechnologyFintech ConfidentialPodcast: https://fintechconfidential.com/listenNewsletter: https://fintechconfidential.com/accessLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fintechconfidentialX: https://x.com/FTconfidentialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fintechconfidentialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/fintechconfidentialSupportersUnder.io – Streamline your underwriting and application process by digitizing PDFs and enabling secure, fast digital signatures. https://under.io/ftcDfns – Launch wallets across 50+ blockchains with API-first, MPC-secured tools trusted by top fintechs and custodians. https://fintechconfidential.com/dnfsSkyflow – Secure, tokenize, and analyze personal data with a zero-trust privacy vault delivered via API. https://skyflowsecure.comHawk:AI – Detect fraud in real time with ML transaction monitoring and advanced risk scoring. https://getHawkai.comAboutVictor Lombard (aka DIVINE): Fintech founder and hip hop artist empowering urban music creators with capital access and financial education.Notes: Fintech platform helping artists build sustainable wealth through education, mentorship, and smarter financial tools.Tedd Huff: Founder of Voalyre and executive producer of Fintech Confidential, helping fintechs scale with strategy and clear messaging.DD3 Media: Production company powering high-impact media content globally.Chapters00:00 Highlights01:02 Under.io (Sponsor)01:46 The Intersection of Hip Hop and Banking04:29 Falling into Fintech06:05 The Importance of Financial Literacy07:47 Creating Financial Platforms for Artists09:01 The Role of Empathy in Financial Systems09:55 Streets to Startups12:29 The Power of Networking and Mentorship13:24 Dfns (sponsor)14:46 Challenges in Building FinTech Startups17:28 Addressing Bias in Financial Systems22:14 Leveraging Technology for Financial Empowerment26:09 The Importance of Knowledge and Awareness27:07 Pursuing Knowledge and Experience27:37 Challenges of Independent Artists28:27 Technology’s Role in Success29:36 Building FinTech with a Criminal Record30:08 Overcoming Barriers with Partnerships30:35 Navigating Startup Challenges32:45 Importance of Relationships in FinTech34:18 High Compliance and Risk Management35:56 Growth Challenges in FinTech36:49 SkyFlow: (Sponsor)38:41 Managing Multiple Financial Institutions39:22 Complexity in FinTech Backend40:01 Problem-Solving in FinTech41:28 Learning and Adapting in FinTech42:17 Regulatory Environment and Compliance42:50 Cannabis and Cryptocurrency Banking Issues43:36 Thinking Big but Starting Small44:51 Building Relationships for Success45:31 Soft Skills and Communication46:09 Blind Spots in FinTech Startups47:37 Future of Financial Technology49:37 Advice for FinTech Founders50:04 Final Thoughts50:37 FinTech Isn’t Just About Tech and Finance51:08 Creators Deserve Better Tools52:01 Hawk:AI (Sponsor)52:49 Disclaimer