OUR TEAM
Our team is made up of experienced banking professionals and has the right expertise to bring this project to a success.
FOUNDERS
Thomas Labenbacher
Thomas was co-founder of the Fidor Bank Group entities, is Partner in Life.SREDA Venture Capital Blockchain Fund, and former Retail Managing Director of Western Union Bank. He is a believer in digitization and is revolutionary in transforming traditional banking into digital / crypto banking. Thomas has been named a Top 30 FinTech influencer.
Robert Böhm
Robert was Vice-Chairman of the Austrian Institute of Technology, and Deputy minister of Transportation, Innovation and Technology. He is a specialist in international affairs, with a specific focus on finance and technology. Robert’s network of senior government minister and banking officials across Europe is unparalleled and of great value to B52.
INVESTORS AND ADVISORS
Byron Haynes
Over 25 years' experience working in the financial services industry. Currently, he is Chairman of the General and Supervisory Board Of Novo Banco S.A, a bank based in Portugal.
Mr. Haynes was a member of the Managing Board of BAWAG P.S.K., a Retail and Corporate Bank headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
Chris Skinner
Independent commentator on the financial markets and fintechs through his blog, thefinanser.com, and author
of the bestselling books Digital Bank, ValueWeb and its new sequel Digital Human. He is on the Advisory Boards of many companies including B-Hive, Bankex, empowr, Innovate Finance, Life.SREDA, Moven, Meniga, Pintail, Project Exscudo, and the Token Fund
Alfred Gusenbauer
Former Austrian Federal Chancellor from 2007 – 2009. After his political career, he has been successfully involved in M&A / investment transactions globally and has taken over supervisory mandates of international companies, such as Strabag SE, Signa Holding AG, Novomatic and Eqitas Fund.
Fritz Schweiger
Former Head of Unicredit Investment Banking and now founder of Q·Advisers, an independent investment and finance boutique. Active in venture capital and private equity, asset management, real estate and family office services.
Marina Bykova
Executive manager with over 25 years of unique experience, which has helped her create a worldwide network of international contacts and relations across financial
institutions, the public sector, and with High Net Worth Individuals.
Jon Matonis
Founding Director of the Bitcoin Foundation and his career has included senior influential posts at VISA International, VeriSign, Sumitomo Bank, and Hushmail.
Susanne Chishti
CEO of FINTECH Circle, Europe's Ist Angel Network focused on fintech opportunities & Founder of the FINTECH Circle Institute, the Ist peer-to-peer fintech learning platform. She is also the Co-Editor of the Bestseller 'The FINTECH Book’.
Julian Zegelman
Experienced serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and emerging venture capitalist. He is a Founding Partner at TMT Blockchain Fund, a $100MM blockchain focused VC fund.
Simon Dixon
CEO & co-founder of online investment platform BnkToTheFuture.com, who have invested over US$500m in FinTech companies.
