I start, grow, and have software businesses. If you think I can help you or you just want to chat about the business of startups (especially fintechs) email me on [email protected].
My mainstay was Fundipedia https://www.fundipedia.com. We solved data problems for the financial services industry - asset managers to be precise like HSBC, LGIM, Barclays.
I sold Fundipedia in May 2025 and another SaaS business prior, and now spend my time looking for like minded people who love fresh ideas.
Connect with me on Linked In: https://linkedin.com/in/simonswords/
Submissions
Most Gen AI Players Remain 'Far Away' from Profiting: Interview with Andy Wu
library.hbs.edu
4 points·by simonswords82··1 comments
Podcast: Building a fintech from 0 to 160 clients with no external funding
open.spotify.com
2 points·by simonswords82··0 comments
Ask HN: Are any other startups using ChatGPT to streamline internal processes?
1 points·by simonswords82··1 comments
Klarna shuts down Salesforce as service provider amid AI initiatives
msn.com
1 points·by simonswords82··0 comments
X is closing San Francisco HQ and relocating staffers to San Jose
fortune.com
191 points·by simonswords82··2 comments
[untitled]
3 points·by simonswords82··0 comments
Interesting details about Tom from MySpace from somebody who worked with him
old.reddit.com
2 points·by simonswords82··0 comments
Use this link to delete all of your data from Glassdoor
help.glassdoor.com
1 points·by simonswords82··1 comments
Powerball: US man sues lottery after being told $340M win is error
bbc.co.uk
2 points·by simonswords82··1 comments
Lyft drops 35 percent following earnings five and lower revenue guidance
marketwatch.com
3 points·by simonswords82··0 comments
Ask HN: How high will interest rates go?
1 points·by simonswords82··1 comments
Musk says Twitter may see 'slight cost' for businesses and governments
bbc.co.uk
4 points·by simonswords82··0 comments
Anonymous has hacked Russian CCTV and published the feeds online
behindenemylines.live
39 points·by simonswords82··26 comments
College town
profgalloway.com
33 points·by simonswords82··26 comments
Google discontinuing G suite legacy free edition on 1st July
engadget.com
14 points·by simonswords82··0 comments
Adele gets Spotify to take shuffle button off all album pages
bbc.co.uk
182 points·by simonswords82··216 comments
Jumping the SPAC
profgalloway.com
2 points·by simonswords82··0 comments
Ask HN: Setups for Remote Developers
3 points·by simonswords82··4 comments
The Capitalist Case for Overhauling Twitter
nymag.com
2 points·by simonswords82··0 comments
India asks Facebook's WhatsApp to withdraw privacy policy update
It took me about ten businesses and over 20 years to "succeed". I wanted to retire at 35 for as long as I could remember, missed that by 7 years.
Sold Staff Squared in 2022 for a good sum (7 figure), reinvested most of it into Fundipedia.
Sold Fundipedia for life changing (8 figure) sum in 2025.
All businesses were bootstrapped, reinvesting profits to grow them organically.
I'm now angel investing and consulting. I'm posting more about my journey on my personal website over the coming months https://www.simonswords.com
Rough timeline:
2000 - started a computer hardware company called Atlas alongside a speed dating company (that's not a joke, I ran a speed dating company and some other weird businesses).
2002 - switched Atlas to designing websites, stopped selling hardware and associated support - fed up with call outs to fix networks at the weekend.
2004 - started to design AND code websites, grew Atlas out as a custom software shop - had about 10 employees. Made about 10% margin on a good year. Tough business.
Around 2006 - Vowed to find ARR working with our team on various software solution ideas.
2007 - built first version of what would become Fundipedia - a data management platform for buy side asset managers e.g. HSBC/Barclays/LGIM etc.
2011 - got fed up with internal HR admin as we took on more staff. Built internal HR/time off tracking system that would eventually become Staff Squared - a SaaS HR solution for small businesses.
2012 - 2016 - ran Atlas, Fundipedia and Staff Squared - not very well, but never made a mistake that killed these businesses. Although it nearly killed me - super stressful.
2017 - Fundipedia showed signs of promise as clients were coming to us via word of mouth - we did not market it at all. So I put a plan in place to grow Fundipedia and take on challenge of learning more about the asset management space.
2021 - landed massive Fundipedia client. Sold Staff Squared to a private buyer, wound down Atlas clients.
2025 - With Fundipedia leading the sector it was in - busting the rule of 40 it was now a real threat and an opportunity to our larger competitors in the space. I sold to FE FundInfo (who backed by Hg Capital).
I think most of us are hard wired to progress - progression looks different for each of us but matters all the same.
I've also had side quests in addition to my main quest which is financial stability and the extreme and total control of my circumstances. Side quests are hobbies, friendships, fitness targets etc.
Now bootstrapping https://www.minute-master.com - AI formal minute generation for regulated firms primarily in financial services space but also free to use for charities.
I was going to say the opposite. Seems on all the main news outlets (Financial Times et al) have disabled comments. I was happy to see this being discussed on HN and I’ve yet to see Middle East or Trump being censored but happy to be signposted to evidence of this on HN.
I’d just like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my childhood and engagement with computers all that more magical. I went on the make a career and a livelihood from them and games like yours shaped me.
You guys must have impacted thousands upon thousands of lives with your hard work and creativity.
My mainstay was Fundipedia https://www.fundipedia.com. We solved data problems for the financial services industry - asset managers to be precise like HSBC, LGIM, Barclays.
I sold Fundipedia in May 2025 and another SaaS business prior, and now spend my time looking for like minded people who love fresh ideas.
Connect with me on Linked In: https://linkedin.com/in/simonswords/