Antony Martini has been part of the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) since the early days in 2017. A double alumnus of our Faculty, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management (2015) and a Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (2017). With over a decade of experience in designing and implementing innovative educational programs for the financial services and fintech community, Antony is deeply committed to advancing fintech education and talent development. His work contributes to a more sustainable, innovative, and competitive financial sector.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Antony about his journey into fintech, talent development’s significance, and AI’s evolving role in the financial industry.
Antony, tell us more about your job at LHoFT. As Head of Education and Talent Programs, what do you do?
I’ve been with LHoFT since its early days in 2017, nearly eight years now.
LHoFT’s mission is to foster innovation for Luxembourg’s future competitiveness. In my role, I focus on developing programmes and initiatives to attract, upskill and retain talent.
We organize fintech campuses weekly, bringing in talent from the greater region and worldwide. They meet entrepreneurs, network, and find internships or permanent positions.
I manage five programs focusing on talent upskilling. One of them is the Female Talent Program, where we train and upskill 40 selected women out of nearly 200 applicants. I also lead MBA electives and open courses at HEC Luxembourg, teaching executives about AI and blockchain technology. We also run programs like Fintech Campus Corporate Plus, connecting innovative solutions with corporates, financial institutions, and law firms to raise awareness about finance and technology trends.
Why did you choose fintech? You studied management and entrepreneurship & innovation – was fintech always your goal?
Not exactly. In 2012, Luxembourg launched a major initiative, Digital Luxembourg, fostering entrepreneurship. Around that time, various incubators and research centres emerged, like Lux Future Lab and the University of Luxembourg’s Incubator & Entrepreneurship Programme. I was actively involved in these communities as a volunteer, building a network even before starting my master’s degree.
During my internship at BNP Paribas’ Lux Future Lab, Luxembourg’s Ministry of Finance established the Financial Technology initiative, bringing together major financial players to define the country’s fintech strategy. I was interested in working with entrepreneurs and supporting the ecosystem, and already had some background in finance at the time, so when the opportunity came, I took it. I was invited to join this project and build a community around fintech, which we continue to grow today.
You mentioned the Female Talent Program. Why do you think it’s important to promote female talent in fintech?
Luxembourg has a high proportion of talented women in finance and technology. However, they often lack access to networks and career opportunities. Our program provides exposure, mentorship, and access to networks, helping them advance in their careers.
Many women apply from major companies like Amazon, even though these firms already have internal training programs. This shows a strong demand for external initiatives. In our first edition, 100 women applied, and now we have 160 applicants. We selected 40 participants who will receive training and present their projects at Nexus 2050 in front of hundreds of investors and industry leaders.
Is the program open to students?
It depends on the candidate. If a student is highly motivated and has a strong track record, we consider them. For example, one participant, Mira, was a recent Master’s graduate in computer science. She interned at ABBL, joined our program, and landed a job right after, finishing in fourth place overall.
You were recognized as one of the top 20 in fintech voice on LinkedIn worldwide. How did you achieve that, and do you feel some pressure to be one of the top voices?
It’s more excitement than pressure. I’ve always been motivated by competition – there’s no real ceiling in the social media space, especially on LinkedIn. You can set and break new records. Right now, I’m reaching 100,000 impressions a week, and considering Luxembourg has around 60,000 people working in finance, reaching 100,000 impressions is significant. There might be some pressure, but it’s the good kind – the kind that drives me forward.
And it all started during the pandemic. I ran two webinars a week. Initially, we had 25 attendees, but by the end, we had 350 per session. To grow, I actively engaged on social media, reaching out and posting relevant content. My LinkedIn following grew from 10,000 to over 25,000. One post gained 250 likes, 20 reshares and 30,000 impressions, and it sparked my interest in LinkedIn’s algorithm. I continued posting fintech insights and eventually reached top three LinkedIn Voices in Luxembourg.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Luxembourg?
The message in the Master in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is very strong compared to other, more academic programmes, which often lead students into academic or more technical roles. The programme allowed me to work while studying and connect with many great people in Luxembourg. It was a really good experience, and I truly enjoyed it.
The Bachelor’s in Management is also interesting because it helps you understand what’s happening in Luxembourg and teaches the basics of management. The specialization in the third year helps students develop expertise in a specific sector.
The combination of both degrees was very beneficial. The Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation also attracts talented people who are willing to work hard. At LHoFT, we take many interns, and the ones who have performed the best have come from this programme.
What do you think sets Master in Entrepreneurship and Innovation students apart from others? Is there a specific set of skills?
I think it comes down to personality traits. The students from the Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation come in ready to work. They start from scratch, eager to help from day one, and that makes a real difference.
I’ve had interns from more academic backgrounds who just sat there, waiting for instructions, expecting everything to be handed to them. I’ve seen entitlement. But with students from the Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, it’s different. They come in with humility, ready to contribute.
Because of this mindset, they gain a lot of exposure and get to work on meaningful projects from the very start—opportunities they wouldn’t get elsewhere. Their strong sense of service is something I deeply respect.
We’ve worked with interns from more technical academic backgrounds, and it didn’t always work out. The Master’s in Entrepreneurship does a great job of selecting the right people—those who come in ready to help and make an impact.
How do you see AI impacting fintech in Luxembourg? How should students prepare?
Artificial intelligence is going to be highly disruptive. Unlike other technologies, AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and everyone should approach it with caution. It’s no longer a question of whether we want to adapt—it’s about understanding its complexities and integrating AI tools into daily life.
AI will quickly determine which nations and organisations can adapt and which will fall behind. This isn’t theoretical; we’re already seeing institutions become obsolete. While AI presents immense opportunities, failing to embrace it now could make us irrelevant soon.
Students, administrators, recruiters, and employees must act now. Technologies like blockchain can improve efficiency and reduce costs for financial institutions, but AI has far broader applications. It enhances productivity, content creation, and communication across all industries.
We see AI evolving daily, fuelled by massive global investments. So, I would say study AI as soon as possible. The pace of change is staggering, and those who don’t keep up risk being left behind.
What skills do you think fintech leaders of the future need?
Leadership qualities remain the same throughout history. To be a fintech leader, you must be highly competent, trustworthy, and adaptable. AI will change the landscape, but people who understand its impact and guide others through these changes will stand out.
Additionally, leaders must be altruistic—helping others builds trust and helps to build strong communities. The best leaders inspire and empower others, much like good parenting.
What advice would you give to students unsure about their career paths?
I had no clue what I wanted to do in my teens. But I took every internship, volunteered, and worked extra hours to explore different opportunities. Over time, I found what I was passionate about.
Success comes from consistent effort and staying open to new experiences. If you work hard and genuinely help others, opportunities will come your way.