INNOVATIVE RESPONSES IN THE FINTECH SECTOR TO WELFARE REFORMS

This thesis examines innovative responses within the fintech sector to welfare reforms, with a particular focus on the United States and Greece. As welfare reforms create gaps in social support, they also generate opportunities for entrepreneurial solutions to address financial inclusion and accessibility challenges. This study explores how fintech startups and established companies have developed tools, platforms, and services to mitigate the effects of welfare reforms, such as digital payment solutions, micro-lending platforms, and financial literacy programs. Through a combination of case studies, market analysis, survey and interviews with industry leaders, this research investigates the strategies employed by fintech firms to adapt to shifting socio-economic landscapes. The findings highlight the sector's role in providing cost-effective, scalable, and user-friendly solutions to underserved populations, while also considering the ethical and regulatory implications of such innovations. This thesis aims to contribute to the broader discourse on entrepreneurship and social impact by demonstrating how the fintech industry can serve as a catalyst for economic resilience and inclusivity in the face of reduced welfare provisions.