Ignite Startups: How Crema is Revolutionizing Freelance Payments with Christian Jacobsen | Ep90

Ignite: Conversations on Startups, Venture Capital, Tech, Future, and Society

In this episode of the Ignite podcast, host Brian Bell interviews Christian Jacobsen, the co-founder and CEO of Crema, an all-in-one software platform designed for freelancers to manage payments, collections, and financial products. Christian shares his journey from Norway to the University of San Francisco, where he was inspired by entrepreneurial professors to start his first company, a CRM tool for SMBs. Despite the company's failure, he gained valuable lessons that paved the way for his future ventures. Christian discusses his experience with a venture builder in Mexico, where he helped ideate fintech startups and eventually founded Okieboy, a propane gas delivery service likened to an "Uber for gas" in Mexico. This startup addressed significant inefficiencies in the traditional propane gas delivery process and provided financing options for independent gas providers. Okieboy's success led to its acquisition by a larger gas company, allowing Christian to focus on new ventures. The conversation shifts to the founding of Crema, born out of Christian's frustration with the complexities of freelancing, particularly in getting paid on time and handling cross-border payments. Crema aims to simplify these processes and provide freelancers with the necessary tools to manage their businesses effectively. Christian emphasizes the importance of understanding freelancers' needs and creating a platform that supports their financial growth and stability. Brian and Christian also delve into broader topics such as the impact of AI and robotics on future work, the regulatory challenges in fintech, and the importance of having a strong vision for the future. The episode concludes with Christian sharing insights on his productivity tools, inspirations, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the need to take risks and think innovatively. Chapters: Introduction and Background (00:01 - 00:19) Christian’s Early Life and Education (00:19 - 03:49) First Startup Experience: Learning from Failure (03:49 - 07:29) Moving to Mexico and Co-Founding Okieboy (07:29 - 13:59) The Birth of Crema: Addressing Freelance Pain Points (13:59 - 19:36) Challenges in Cross-Border Payments (19:36 - 23:53) Expanding Crema’s Offerings: Financing Options for Freelancers (27:09 - 31:14) Vision for the Future: Seamless Freelancing (31:14 - 32:58) Reflections on Entrepreneurship and Risk-Taking (32:58 - 37:00) AI, Robotics, and the Future of Work (37:00 - 39:58) Staying Motivated During Challenging Times (39:58 - 41:51) Productivity Tools and Favorite Apps (41:51 - 44:03) Biggest Inspirations and Advice for Entrepreneurs (44:03 - 45:37) Closing Thoughts and Contact Information (45:37 - 46:46)