Indiana Fintech in Orlando: The Real Strategy. - Sunshine & Fintech!

Orlando's Fintech Dreams: Show Me the ROI

Orlando's Fintech Future: More Hype Than Substance? Orlando is apparently positioning itself as the next fintech hub, with Indiana-based Baker Hill planning an "innovation center" there. The move coincides with a broader push in the region to embrace AI and streamline business operations, as evidenced by figures like Michael Trampetti offering AI integration consulting. But let's pump the brakes on the enthusiasm for a second and look at what's actually happening. Trampetti's pitch, as outlined in the Orlando Business Journal, is compelling: "AI doesn’t replace people — it replaces the noise." He claims to help companies "grow faster, leaner, and smarter by aligning systems, processes, and people." Sounds great, but what's the data to back it up? He throws around a 90-day timeframe for "smoother operations," but offers no concrete metrics. A vague claim of "better communication" and owners "finally getting their time back" doesn't exactly scream rigorous analysis. He does touch on a crucial point: "Most business owners don’t have a sales problem or a people problem. They have a systems problem." This resonates. In my experience analyzing companies, inefficient processes are often the silent killers of growth. But simply throwing AI at the problem isn't a guaranteed fix. It's like putting a Ferrari engine in a rusty old pickup truck – you might get more speed, but the whole thing could fall apart. The success depends on the underlying systems, and Trampetti's consultancy needs to prove it can actually deliver tangible improvements, measured in dollars and cents, not just vague feelings of "less chaos." The event, "Wake Up to the Power of AI for Small Business," sounds like a typical marketing push. The claim that attendees will leave with "clear steps to simplify their work immediately" is highly suspect. Real business transformation takes time, effort, and a willingness to fundamentally rethink operations (something most small businesses aren't prepared to do).

Where's the Data? Show Me the ROI

The Missing Pieces What's conspicuously absent from all this is hard data. How many companies has Trampetti actually helped? What were the specific, measurable improvements in revenue, efficiency, or profitability? And what's the attrition rate? (How many clients give up after a few months when they realize AI isn't a magic bullet?) These are the questions that actually matter. Baker Hill's "innovation center" is another piece of the puzzle. What's the projected economic impact? How many jobs will it create, and what will be the average salary? The announcement feels more like a PR move to capitalize on the AI hype than a strategically sound investment. I've seen this pattern before – companies rushing to associate themselves with the latest buzzword without a clear plan or measurable goals. And this is the part I find genuinely puzzling: Why Orlando? Is there a pre-existing fintech ecosystem there that I'm missing? Or is this simply a case of chasing tax incentives and favorable regulations? Details on why the decision was made remain scarce, but the impact is clear: more companies are going to flock to the area to see if they can get a piece of the pie. Show Me the ROI Orlando might become a fintech hub. Michael Trampetti might be the savior of small business inefficiency. But until I see the data – the cold, hard numbers that prove these claims – I'm remaining firmly skeptical. It's not enough to talk about "simplicity" and "smarter systems." Show me the ROI. Just Another Hype Cycle?