New Book "Is Finance Technology?" Maps the Future of Fintech

As financial services and technology continue to converge at a dizzying pace, a new book cuts through the noise to ask the question the industry has been dancing around for years: Is Finance Technology? Published by Epic Books, the book delivers a clear-eyed framework for founders, investors and executives trying to understand where fintech has been — and where it's headed. 

Written by Andrew Endicott (BSBA, 2009), a founder, operator and investor who has built and backed companies across the sector, the book draws on hard-won experience to trace the forces reshaping financial services. Endicott examines the common missteps that cause fintech ventures to fail, identifies the blind spots founders must overcome and outlines what separates companies that endure from those that don't. 

"Fintech is not a new concept; technology has always been foundational to financial services," Endicott said. "Understanding the industry's context is essential to building well, and this book offers a roadmap for creating a business with enduring value." 

Is Finance Technology? goes beyond the hype cycle. While much of the industry focuses on disruption, Endicott examines what is likely to change, what is likely to endure and how leaders can build through both — in an industry defined as much by risk as by opportunity. 

The book has already earned high praise from fintech luminaries. Renaud Laplanche, co-founder of Upgrade and Lending Club, said, "The odds of building a successful startup are slim. Because of his experience as an entrepreneur and investor, Andrew has identified the patterns that drive success and failure and compiled them in this book. Whether you're a first-time founder or a serial entrepreneur, I am confident this book will improve your odds." 

Is Finance Technology? is now available through Amazon, Epic Books and booksellers nationwide. 

About Andrew Endicott: Endicott (BSBA, 2009) is an entrepreneur, investor and board member in financial services and fintech. Endicott is co-founder and general partner of Gilgamesh Ventures, which is a global early-stage fintech venture capital fund that he co-founded with Miguel Armaza in 2020. Gilgamesh invests in financial-technology companies from pre-seed to Series A, and the firm currently has 45 investments globally. Prior to Gilgamesh, Endicott co-founded Petal in the credit card space, eventually generating $100 million in annual gross revenue and serving half a million customers in the U.S. Petal was sold in 2024 to Empower. Prior to Petal, Endicottwas an investment banker at Lazard and corporate lawyer at Willkie Farr.  

Endicott has a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.S.B.A. from the Walton College of Business at the U of A. He has served on the board of Encore Bank since 2019 and Mangrove Property Insurance Company since 2024. 

About Epic Books: Epic Books is an imprint of the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business that focuses on emerging technologies, leadership, business narratives, and entrepreneurship titles. Epic Books captures the expertise and insights of the Walton College’s faculty and stakeholder network and transforms it into pragmatic, action-oriented ideas. 

About the Sam M. Walton College of Business: The Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is a nationally recognized leader in business education, known for innovative programs in supply chain management, entrepreneurship, finance and experiential learning. Located in the heart of one of the nation’s most dynamic business regions, Walton College prepares students to lead with integrity, analytical rigorand entrepreneurial spirit. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy  through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.