In this episode of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, host Stan Altshuller sits down with Kirk McKeown, CEO and Founder of CarbonArc, to explore how AI is reshaping the economics of data access—and redefining where alpha comes from.

For years, alternative data was expensive, fragmented, and largely reserved for hedge funds and institutional investors with deep pockets. Kirk built CarbonArc to challenge that model by making high-value data more accessible through modern, consumption-based pricing and AI-driven analytics.

Stan and Kirk break down how traditional financial research evolved into today’s alternative data ecosystem—and why the next wave will be powered by AI agents that can analyze information faster than ever before. They also discuss the friction that has historically slowed adoption, why accessibility matters, and how industries beyond finance are beginning to leverage these tools for smarter decisions.

From Wall Street to enterprise strategy, this conversation explores what happens when access to intelligence becomes cheaper, faster, and more scalable.

If you’re an investor, operator, data leader, or simply curious about the future of AI-powered decision-making, this episode offers a compelling look at where the market is heading.

Key Takeaways :

• Why traditional alternative data models were broken
• How CarbonArc is changing data accessibility
• The shift toward consumption-based pricing models
• Why AI agents will transform research workflows
• How alternative data extends beyond hedge funds
• The future of investment intelligence
• Why access to data may become the ultimate competitive advantage

Key Moments:

04:57 Building a frictionless data market

08:38 Transforming the license structure

13:37 Rev share and flexible solutions

17:25 Exploring data and analytics

19:34 AI economy and data structure

24:51 Understanding alpha in trading strategies

26:55 Understanding data accessibility challenges

30:58 Evaluating company decisions

33:35 Expanding developer community

About the guest :

Kirk McKeown is the CEO and Founder of CarbonArc, a company focused on democratizing access to alternative data through modern pricing models and AI-driven infrastructure. With over two decades of experience in financial data and investment research, Kirk has helped reshape how institutions source and consume intelligence for better decision-making.

Connect Krik :

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirk-mckeown-400607214/

Website: https://www.carbonarc.ai/

About the host :

Stan Altshuller is a leading figure at the intersection of fintech and artificial intelligence. As an investor, founder, and advisor, he has collaborated with some of the world’s top hedge funds, asset managers, and data companies, helping them leverage technology for smarter decision-making and growth. Stan hosts the Momentum podcast, where each week he shares practical AI strategies designed to help financial professionals cut through the noise, beat data overload, and build intelligent, data-driven workflows. With a passion for exploring what’s next in finance, Stan empowers his audience to stay ahead of the curve by turning ideas into actionable results.

Connect Stan :

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanalt/

Website www.acadia.im

Resource Mentioned - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15RN0Aee72Y

In this episode of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, Stan Altshuller sits down with Ben Tannenbaum, founder and CEO of AISO, to break down how brands can win visibility in the age of AI search. They explore why SEO isn’t dead but evolving, how ChatGPT actually selects brands, and what “fan-out search” means for your marketing strategy.

Ben shares practical strategies to help you get mentioned inside AI tools - from identifying the right questions users are asking to optimizing content for AI-driven discovery. If you’re a marketer, founder, or growth leader trying to stay relevant as search shifts from Google to AI assistants, this episode gives you a clear, actionable roadmap.

Key Moments:
02:00 – Is SEO dead or just evolving?
04:30 – Why clicks are decreasing but revenue may not be
06:30 – Understanding AI as a research assistant, not a search engine
08:30 – What is “fan-out search” and why it matters
11:00 – How ChatGPT chooses which brands to mention
13:30 – Why you don’t need to rank #1 on Google anymore
16:00 – The simplest way to get mentioned by AI tools
19:00 – How to find what users are actually asking ChatGPT
22:00 – Turning AI conversations into actionable content strategy
25:00 – Medium, LinkedIn, and off-site strategies that work
27:00 – Why Reddit can damage your brand if done wrong
30:00 – How AISO collects real AI conversation data
34:00 – From raw data to actionable marketing insights
38:00 – The fastest way to increase AI mentions (2x to 10x)
41:00 – The future of AI-driven market research and customer insights

About the Guest :

Ben Tannenbaum is the founder and CEO of AISO, where he helps brands understand how people use AI tools like ChatGPT and how to get discovered within them.

With a background in data platforms and alternative data, Ben specializes in turning real AI conversations into actionable insights that help companies improve visibility, content strategy, and growth.

Website : https://www.getaiso.com/

Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentann/

About the host :

Stan Altshuller is a leading figure at the intersection of fintech and artificial intelligence. As an investor, founder, and advisor, he has collaborated with some of the world’s top hedge funds, asset managers, and data companies, helping them leverage technology for smarter decision-making and growth. Stan hosts the Momentum podcast, where each week he shares practical AI strategies designed to help financial professionals cut through the noise, beat data overload, and build intelligent, data-driven workflows. With a passion for exploring what’s next in finance, Stan empowers his audience to stay ahead of the curve by turning ideas into actionable results.

Connect Stan :

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanalt/

Website www.acadia.im

In this episode Stan Altshuller sits down with Sarah McKenna to explore how AI and alternative data are reshaping decision-making across finance and enterprise. From Google Trends to web data extraction, they discuss how modern data sources are helping organizations uncover signals, track market shifts, and gain a competitive edge.

They also break down the challenges behind data collection, including compliance, governance, and the difference between probabilistic and deterministic data. If you’re building data-driven strategies in a regulated environment, this episode shows how to combine AI, automation, and human oversight to make smarter, more confident decisions.

Key Moments:

06:18 How risk alerts are used

10:10 Hedge funds and data analysis

13:23 Balancing AI creativity and accuracy

14:19 Using AI for data trust

17:56 Growing demand for web data

23:00 Considerations for automating captchas

26:20 Sequentum platform features explained

28:30 Introducing the agent builder tool

Connect Sarah McKenna : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahransommckenna/

About the host :

Stan Altshuller is a leading figure at the intersection of fintech and artificial intelligence. As an investor, founder, and advisor, he has collaborated with some of the world’s top hedge funds, asset managers, and data companies, helping them leverage technology for smarter decision-making and growth. Stan hosts the Momentum podcast, where each week he shares practical AI strategies designed to help financial professionals cut through the noise, beat data overload, and build intelligent, data-driven workflows. With a passion for exploring what’s next in finance, Stan empowers his audience to stay ahead of the curve by turning ideas into actionable results.

Connect Stan :

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanalt/

Website www.acadia.im