In this episode of Guts, Grit & FinTech, we explore the evolving landscape of financial data networks with Mike Manganillo, CEO and Co-Founder of Zuul. Interviewed by Vasyl Soloshchuk, CEO of INSART, Mike shares how Zuul is transforming the outdated infrastructure many financial firms still rely on—and what it takes to modernize it from the ground up.
From Marketer to Middleware Innovator
Mike’s journey to co-founding Zuul wasn’t a typical path. With a background in strategic marketing and a track record of blending data and creative insight, Mike found himself increasingly focused on solving core infrastructure problems in the financial sector. That focus evolved into a vision: building the connective tissue financial services need to operate at modern speed and security standards.
Solving the Latency Problem in Finance
Zuul aims to do for financial data what Google Fiber did for consumer internet. As Mike puts it, many firms are still operating on what feels like dial-up—fragmented systems, slow integration, and outdated data handling. Zuul’s middleware solutions offer speed, security, and scalability, enabling real-time data access and improved decision-making across financial services.
The Road Ahead
In this conversation, Mike and Vasyl discuss not just Zuul’s current mission but the broader challenges fintech founders face—especially when building core infrastructure in a legacy-heavy industry. From scalability to compliance, and from sales cycles to product-market fit, Mike shares lessons that resonate with both startups and established players.
About Mike Manganillo
Mike is an award-winning marketing strategist turned founder, now leading Zuul in its mission to upgrade the financial industry’s data backbone. Zuul is his second venture, backed by his unique combination of analytical thinking, creative execution, and deep industry understanding.
A Note on Our Platform
At INSART, we support the fintech ecosystem by creating visibility for promising startups and connecting them with the right audiences. While we facilitate meaningful conversations, we do not provide investment advice or consulting services.
