Ensemblex isn’t just a company—it’s a powerhouse of talent, where decades of expertise in lending, fintech, operations, and revenue growth converge to deliver transformative results. From its visionary co-founders to its newest strategic partners, the team is a force ready to tackle the toughest challenges for clients, from startups to market leaders.

Shawn Budde and Mike Armstrong, the co-founders of Ensemblex, first joined forces two decades ago in the high-stakes world of sub-prime cards at Capital One, where they grew profitability by over 60% in just a few years. A decade later, they reunited at ZestFinance, pioneering the first machine learning-powered consumer lending business, setting new industry benchmarks with loan economics that left competitors scrambling to keep up. Now, with Ensemblex, they’re leveraging their deep experience to empower clients across the spectrum, delivering solutions that drive dominance in their markets.

Ensemblex Team: Global Reach and Expertise

Ensemblex’s team combines deep industry expertise with a global footprint, delivering tailored solutions for a diverse client base. They work with leading companies worldwide, including Resurs, NEXU, Addi, Axis Bank, Happy Money, GoFi, Capital on Tap, Yape, Bajaj FinServ, PayJoy, Mosaic, and Ualá, spanning regions from North America to Asia-Pacific. 

Their clients are backed by top-tier investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Point72 Ventures, Goldman Sachs, Bessemer Venture Partners, Quona Capital, SoftBank, General Catalyst, Ribbit Capital, GV, CapitalG, Monashees, Union Square Ventures, CVC Capital Partners, Soros Fund Management, Enpeavor, and Tiger Global, underscoring the trust and credibility Ensemblex commands in the fintech ecosystem.

The team’s experience spans a wide range of financial products, including personal loans, SMB loans, mortgage banking, BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later), credit cards, auto loans, and asset-based lending. They serve a diverse client profile, from de novo startups and well-funded fintechs to public banks, privately held firms, venture capital-backed companies, and private equity-backed enterprises. 

With a presence across multiple geographies—highlighted by their work in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia—the Ensemblex team brings localized expertise to global challenges, ensuring clients receive strategic, market-specific solutions that drive growth and innovation.

 Combined Summary: Ensemblex Leadership and Team Expertise

Leadership Differentiators

1. Proven Track Record in Scaling and Innovation: Shawn Budde and Mike Armstrong’s 60% profitability surge at Capital One and pioneering machine learning at ZestFinance, alongside Brandon Homuth’s role in scaling Encore Capital, highlight a team that transforms businesses.
2. Deep Expertise Across the Financial Spectrum: With three decades of experience across the credit lifecycle and products, leaders like Chloe Zhu (doubling Mission Lane’s customer base) and Vivek Rajgarhia (scaling analytics in India) deliver comprehensive solutions.
3. Military-Honed Discipline and Strategic Execution: Scott Bass, Leland Burns, and Matt Slonaker bring military precision, ensuring flawless execution in high-stakes environments.
4. Revenue Growth Mastery and Strategic Partnerships: Matt Slonaker’s $1 billion revenue management and $200 million in new revenue at M. Allen LLC, including a $35 million deal with a top U.S. bank, amplify Ensemblex’s growth capabilities.
5. Cutting-Edge Data Science and AI Capabilities: Jim McGuire and Prashant Menon drive innovation with machine learning and real-time AI systems, optimizing lending and risk strategies.
6. Global Reach with Localized Expertise: From Vivek Rajgarhia’s APAC leadership to Scott Goodrich’s operations in Costa Rica, the team’s global experience ensures tailored strategies across diverse markets.