Digital Entrepreneurship in Finance: Fintechs and Funding Decision Criteria

After the 2007–08 global financial crisis, research flourished on entrepreneurship through digital innovation in the financial market as well as on investors’ influence on digital technology-based entrepreneurs’ funding decisions. This study combines these two research streams to analyze the decision-making criteria for funding financial technology companies (fintechs), hybrid companies that combine digital entrepreneurship, technology, and banking. The study first uses prior literature to derive important characteristics to define fintechs and then uses 12 expert interviews to elaborate on decision-making criteria in funding. Except for smaller peculiarities, fintech funding does not appear to differ from that of other digital entrepreneurship in different markets, and—as with most digital business models—scalability was identified as a key criterion. Additionally, by serving as a major provider of money for young companies, banks have changed their role and positioning in funding new financial technology entrepreneurs. Through developments in digital technology, banks have shifted from traditional money-lending activities (i.e., debt-financing) to becoming stakeholders in fintechs and, hence, equity investors. We also describe how these formerly distinct fields have converged due to regulatory requirements, digital newcomers, and a need for constant innovation, with their future sustainable development dependent on sharing and collaboration

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 Is Required in Hypothalamic Agouti-Related Protein/Neuropeptide Y Neurons for Normal Energy Homeostasis

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)-3 signals mediate many of the metabolic effects of the fat cell-derived hormone, leptin. In mice, brain-specific depletion of either the long form of the leptin receptor (Lepr) or Stat3 results in comparable obese phenotypes as does replacement of Lepr with an altered leptin receptor locus that codes for a Lepr unable to interact with Stat3. Among the multiple brain regions containing leptin-sensitive Stat3 sites, cells expressing feeding-related neuropeptides in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus have received much of the focus. To determine the contribution to energy homeostasis of Stat3 expressed in agouti-related protein (Agrp)/neuropeptide Y (Npy) arcuate neurons, Stat3 was deleted specifically from these cells, and several metabolic indices were measured. It was found that deletion of Stat3 from Agrp/Npy neurons resulted in modest weight gain that was accounted for by increased adiposity. Agrp/Stat3-deficient mice also showed hyperleptinemia, and high-fat diet-induced hyperinsulinemia. Stat3 deletion in Agrp/Npy neurons also resulted in altered hypothalamic gene expression indicated by increased Npy mRNA and decreased induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 in response to leptin. Agrp mRNA levels in the fed or fasted state were unaffected. Behaviorally, mice without Stat3 in Agrp/Npy neurons were mildly hyperphagic and hyporesponsive to leptin. We conclude that Stat3 in Agrp/Npy neurons is required for normal energy homeostasis, but Stat3 signaling in other brain areas also contributes to the regulation of energy homeostasis

Changing factors associated with parent activation after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant

PURPOSE: To identify factors associated with parent activation in parents of children undergoing pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in the 6 months following HSCT, and to address if their association with parent activation changes over time. METHODS: Measures for this analysis, including the Parent Patient Activation Measure (Parent-PAM), were completed by parents (N=198) prior to their child’s HSCT preparative regimen and again at 6 months post-HSCT. Clinical data were also collected. A repeated measures model was built to estimate the association between clinical and demographic factors and parent well-being on Parent-PAM scores. Interactions with time were considered to test for changing effects over time. RESULTS: Throughout the HSCT course, older parent age was associated with lower Parent-PAM scores (β=−0.29, p=0.02) and never being married was associated with higher scores (versus married, β=12.27, p=0.03). While higher parent emotional functioning scores were not associated with activation at baseline, they were important at 6 months (baseline: β=−0.002, p=0.96; interaction: β=0.14, p=0.03). At baseline longer duration of illness was associated with increased activation, but this effect diminished with time (baseline: β=3.29, p=0.0002; interaction: β=−2.40, p=0.02). Activation levels dropped for parents of children who went from private to public insurance (baseline: β=2.95, p=0.53; interaction: β=−13.82, p=0.004). Clinical events did not affect Parent-PAM scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal important changes in the factors associated with parent activation in the first 6 months after pediatric HSCT. These findings may reflect the emotional and financial toll of pediatric HSCT on parent activation