In this episode of the Fintech Fun podcast, Chris Titley chats with Michael Ragavan, founder of Our Leg Up, a revolutionary financial service aiming to tackle wealth inequality by making homeownership more accessible. Michael shares how Our Leg Up enables aspiring homeowners to purchase properties with just a 5% deposit, eliminating the need for lenders' mortgage insurance and providing competitive interest rates. He discusses the platform’s unique partnership model that connects equity-rich investors, banks, and aspiring homeowners, all while mitigating financial risks. Michael also touches on the challenges of educating the market, the role of partnerships in scaling, and the company’s global aspirations. Tune in to hear how Michael’s innovative approach is redefining the Australian dream of homeownership and how AI is playing a role in streamlining the process.
Chapters
00:00 - 00:17: Introduction and Michael’s live check-in from Mexico.
00:17 - 01:07: Origins of Our Leg Up – Tackling wealth inequality and barriers to homeownership.
01:07 - 01:47: The changing landscape of the Australian dream and how Our Leg Up fits in.
01:47 - 02:48: The unique partnership model connecting investors, banks, and aspiring homeowners.
02:48 - 03:25: Investor benefits and how returns are structured.
03:25 - 04:26: Geographic reach and the potential for global expansion.
04:26 - 05:43: Risk mitigation and preparedness for economic shocks.
05:43 - 06:41: Building and scaling the business with a lean team.
06:41 - 07:57: Scaling through partnerships and educating the market.
07:57 - 08:48: Leveraging AI for customer support, risk assessment, and productivity.
08:48 - 11:02: Personal interests: Soccer, drumming, and FIFA on PlayStation.
11:02 - 11:46: Looking ahead: Plans to support 50-100 property purchases in 2025.
11:46 - 12:23: Funding milestones and goals for growth in 2025.
Resources
Our Leg Up: Platform enabling aspiring homeowners to purchase property with a 5% deposit.
AI in Financial Services: Used for risk assessment, customer support, and secondary analysis.
Basel III Framework: Underpinning the scalability of Our Leg Up across 100+ countries.
Carnatic Drums: Michael’s early foray into music and stress relief.
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