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

In this episode of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, Stan Altshuller is joined by Danny Dias and Dean Schaffer from Lightkeeper to explore how AI is reshaping portfolio intelligence for modern investment firms. They discuss the growing complexity of investment data, rising LP expectations, and why traditional tools like spreadsheets are no longer enough.

The conversation breaks down how AI-driven analytics and new data frameworks are helping firms improve reporting, decision-making, and responsiveness. If you’re looking to move beyond fragmented data and build a more intelligent, scalable investment process, this episode offers practical insights to help you stay competitive.

Key Moments:

01:12 "Fintech Background and Portfolio Intelligence"

04:13 "Investment Challenges in AI Era"

09:35 "AI's Impact on Data Evolution"

13:30 Evolving Hedge Fund Data Demands

17:10 "Probabilistic Answers and Complexity"

18:40 Tech Leveling Fund Competition

22:23 "AI in Asset Management Future?"

24:47 Evolving Impact of AI Models

28:20 Optimizing Data with Lightkeeper

Know More about Lightkeeper:

Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightkeeperllc/

Website : https://lightkeeper.com/

Connect Dean : https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-schaffer-9a16653/

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 of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, Stan Altshuller speaks with Jack Killea, Head of Data Strategy and Sourcing at Maiden Century, about how AI is changing the way hedge funds discover and use alternative data. They explore how the rapid growth of data sources and AI-powered tools is making sophisticated data strategies accessible not just to large quant funds, but also to smaller fundamental managers.

Jack shares insights on the evolution of alternative data, the rise of AI-driven workflows, and how investment teams can cut through overwhelming data noise to extract meaningful signals. If you’re looking to understand how AI agents, context engines, and new data sources are shaping the next generation of investment research, this episode offers practical perspective from the front lines of the industry.

Key Moments:

04:12 "Adaptable Data Solutions Platform"

08:09 "Navigating Early Data Journeys"

11:03 "Navigating Data Risks with AI"

15:38 Future of Data and AI Integration

19:00 "AI's Impact on Data Strategy"

22:48 "Reflections on AI Adoption Challenges"

25:14 "From Sales to Aha Moment"

29:55 "Agentic Workflows and Customization"

33:03 AI Workflow and Democratization Insights

About the guest :

Jack Killea is Head of Data Strategy and Sourcing at Maiden Century, where he helps investment managers discover and use alternative data more effectively. He has spent over a decade working at the intersection of hedge funds, data providers, and AI-driven investment research.

How to connect Jack : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-killea-5582531a/

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 of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, Stan Altshuller sits down with Sandeep Varma and Benjamin Lieblich from Equity Data Science to explore how AI is transforming hedge fund research, portfolio construction, and risk management. They break down how modern funds are moving beyond spreadsheets to integrated data platforms that combine quantitative models with qualitative research.

From managing data overload to meeting institutional investor expectations, the conversation reveals how AI-driven workflows help managers make faster, more confident decisions. If you’re looking to institutionalize your research process, improve factor analysis, or compete with larger funds using smarter technology, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

Key Moments:

06:09 "Adapting to Diverse Management Styles"

07:41 "Data-Driven Investment Analysis Process"

11:38 Evolution of Hedge Fund Strategies

16:20 "Redefining Quant Roles in Hedge Funds"

17:25 AI's Role in Equity Manager Growth

23:41 "AI vs Humans in Trading"

26:59 "Approaches to Hedge Fund Strategy"

28:22 "Killer Hedge Fund Pitch"

Connect Sandeep Varma : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeepvarma81/

Connect Benjamin Lieblich : https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-lieblich/

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 of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, Stan Altshuller sits down with Stephanie Mazzone, SVP of Marketing at Vikar Technologies, to explore how community banks and credit unions are modernizing onboarding without replacing their core systems. Stephanie shares real-world examples of how Vikar helps smaller institutions eliminate manual processes and move from days-long onboarding to minutes.

They also discuss the practical role of AI in a highly regulated banking environment - from workflow automation to risk flagging - and what digital transformation actually looks like for community-focused financial institutions. If you’re looking to level the playing field with larger banks while staying compliant and efficient, this conversation offers clear, actionable insight.

Key Moments:

04:46 Manual Processes in Community Banking

07:56 "Success Stories"

10:15 "Technology Revolutionizing Business Growth"

13:12 "ViKar: Modernizing Community Banks"

About the guest :

Stephanie Mazzone began her career decades ago on the banking side, witnessing firsthand the highly manual, time-consuming processes involved in onboarding accounts and managing loans. Frustrated by the inefficiencies of paperwork and manual data entry, Stephanie transitioned to the technology sector. Drawing on her unique perspective and deep understanding of banking challenges, she now dedicates her work to helping banks and credit unions modernize, streamline operations, and embrace digital solutions that replace the outdated manual methods she saw at the start of her journey.

How to connect Stephanie :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-mazzone/

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 of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, Stan Altshuller sits down with Leonid Flek, Head of Commercial at Stream OS, to unpack how agentic AI is finally solving the most painful part of financial operations - everything that happens after a contract is signed and before revenue is realized.

They explore real-world use cases from data-driven companies, why traditional tools fail to handle complex agreements, and where AI truly adds value versus where human oversight still matters. If your finance or data teams are stuck in manual workflows, broken handoffs, and operational bottlenecks, this conversation cuts through the hype and shows how proactive AI agents can drive clarity, speed, and measurable outcomes.

Key Moments:

01:12 From Data to Stream OS

04:56 "Streamlining Post-Contract Workflows"

06:48 "Client Praise for Simplifying Contracts"

09:48 "AI's Impact on Workflows"

15:22 "Managing AI Noise Effectively"

18:41 The Future of Agentic AI

19:31 "Full-Service Streaming Management"

24:00 "Key Message to Prospects"

25:47 "Focus on Outcomes, Not AI"

Leonid Flek is a finance and data operations leader and the Head of Commercial at streamOS, where he helps companies use agentic AI to automate complex finance workflows. He is best known for his leadership at SEI Novus, where he helped pivot the firm from analytics to a data-first model - unlocking greater value for investment teams and contributing to the company’s successful acquisition.

With deep experience across finance, data, and operations, Leonid brings a practical, operator’s perspective on where AI truly delivers impact.

How to connect Leonid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonid-flek-54b62123

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