Stone & Chalk appoints GM to lead new Melbourne office

Australian fintech hub, Stone & Chalk, has announced its expansion with a new Melbourne office set to open in August 2017.

Alan Tsen, former founding CEO of Fintech Victoria, has been appointed as general manager, Melbourne and will take lead of the new office.

In this role, Tsen will support Victorian startups and act as an advocate for the fintech sector both locally and internationally. As well as offering a new workspace, with 60 available desks for fintech startups, Stone & Chalk Melbourne will run a series of programs and partnerships to help develop the local fintech ecosystem.

Alex Scandurra, CEO of Stone and Chalk, describes the creation of the Melbourne office as one of the "biggest, most exciting pushes for Australian fintech."

"This is an historic achievement for the Australian fintech industry as a whole. Our Melbourne hub will help to further accelerate an already fast-moving industry that's integral to Australia's future."

Tsen added: "Melbourne fintechs have found it hard to access affordable space, as well as mentorship, talent, business programs and capital. As an ecosystem, we're emerging as a real centre of excellence in a number of fintech verticals, like wealth, blockchain technology, and cyber security, and by launching Stone & Chalk in Melbourne we will help local fintech startups feel part of a bigger fintech movement, connecting them with potential investors, and customers nationally, and globally."

AustralianSuper has offered its partnership to Stone & Chalk for the Melbourne expansion with CEO Ian Silk stating that the new office "is a boost for the local economy, and will bring huge opportunities and insights for existing, and new businesses in the fast moving fintech sector."

The Melbourne team is anticipated to grow over the coming months. Expressions of interest from startups, and scaleups who wish to apply to the Stone & Chalk Melbourne community can visit this link.