I will be out of the office for the next two weeks, visiting my family in Russia.

I briefly considered queuing up newsletters in advance, but I will be honest - I did not plan far enough ahead this time. Rather than rushing content, I would rather pause and return refreshed, so we will pick up right where we left off in two weeks.

I will miss connecting with you, but I have a feeling the time away will make my stories, insights, and angles sharper than ever. When I return, expect fresh perspectives, new ideas, and maybe even a few unexpected twists inspired by the time off.

In the meantime, what has been on my mind lately is the growing chatter around an increasingly tense job market, the uncertainty surrounding AI’s role, and the implications for innovation. Writing is how I bring order to the noise in my head, so consider this my attempt to tease out a few threads and begin weaving them into the fabric of a thesis.

Let’s face it - today’s job market is a mess.

From shifting employer-employee dynamics to the rise of self-employment and AI-driven skill development, the “new job economy” is changing how we earn, save, and invest. It now takes the average person 24 weeks to find a new job.

I have long been an advocate for a beefed-up emergency fund if you are a woman or other underrepresented minority, given the historic volatility and structural barriers we face in the labor market. But in this climate, it feels as if we are all in that category: navigating uncertainty, protracted job searches, and the need for greater financial resilience.

Here are three biggest trends that I see shaping the tech landscape as a result.

Finding a job has never been more expensive—or more tech-enabled.

It now takes the average worker 24 weeks to land a new role after losing one, nearly a month longer than a year ago. As searches drag on, job seekers are pouring thousands into tools, training, and networking:

Recruiters say applicants may send 100 résumés for every interview—and the winners are often those who combine smart networking with strategic spend. The rise of AI-assisted job searches is also re-shaping hiring pipelines, which creates opportunities for fintech and HR tech players to streamline and personalize candidate matching.

Startups to Watch:

These companies reflect how the job economy shift is fueling demand for digital infrastructure - whether it’s employee tools or financial services.

2️⃣ Self-employment and portable benefits are going mainstream

As corporate hiring slows, more professionals are turning to freelancing, consulting, and entrepreneurship—accelerating demand for financial products built for the self-employed.

In this new landscape, Solo 401(k) and SEP IRA accounts are emerging as critical tools for retirement savings without a traditional employer plan. They allow high annual contribution limits, tax advantages, and flexibility - features that appeal to independent workers building variable income streams.

The opportunity for fintechs? Make these products easier to open, manage, and optimize, especially in mobile-first formats.

📌 Coming soon: An exclusive with Betterment on how digital wealth platforms are rethinking retirement planning for the self-employed.

Startups to Watch:

3️⃣ Networking is being rewritten by AI and serendipity

Despite all the tech, sometimes the cheapest move is the most effective.

Organizational psychologist, and my former college professor, Adam Grant has written extensively about the power of connectors—people who bridge networks and create opportunities through relationships. But AI is amplifying reach: career platforms now integrate tools to match résumés to postings, suggest interview talking points, and even simulate mock interviews.

The next frontier: blending AI-driven precision with human-led trust. Whether you are onboarding a new customer or helping a user find financial products, the best systems combine automation with a personal touch.

Startup to Watch:

The takeaway: The new job economy is expensive, tech-infused, and increasingly self-directed. Fintech and AI are no longer on the sidelines. They are embedded in how people get hired, build wealth, and navigate careers. For founders and investors, the opportunity lies in creating tools that meet workers where they are: in transition, in motion, and increasingly in control of their own financial futures.

We’re thrilled to announce our $32M Series A at a $300M valuation, led by Insight Partners!

Delve is shaping the future of GRC with an AI-native approach that cuts busywork and saves teams hundreds of hours. Startups like Lovable, Bland, and Browser trust our AI to get compliant—fast.

To celebrate, we’re giving back with 3 limited-time offers:

Thank you for your support—this is just the beginning.

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🎧 New Money Memories episodes are on the horizon, and I am thrilled to be bringing you an even more dynamic lineup of guests. Here is a sneak peek at a few I cannot wait to share:

In the meantime, listen to the latest episode with Bam Azizi, who shared his journey from growing up in Iran to embedding global finance into everyday platforms. If you’ve wanted to learn about crypto but have been too afraid to ask - this episode is for you!

Listen and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple and Spotify.

If you are attending any of these upcoming events, let me know. I would love to find time to connect:

Check this out:

The number of U.S. mortgages where a refinance could lower the rate by at least 0.75 percentage points has climbed back above 3 million for the first time since 2022.

At the peak in 2021, more than 20 million homeowners could benefit from refinancing. That opportunity vanished almost entirely as rates surged in 2022–2023.

Now, the window is slowly reopening, signaling a potential ripple effect for mortgage lenders, fintechs in the refi space, and borrowers eager to cut costs.

🗣️Tell me what you think:
If mortgage rates dropped enough for you to refinance, would you jump at the chance, or would you hold off? Why?

📌The Crypto Maniacs and the Torture Townhouse: I’d been avoiding truly diving into this story until now.

📌Tech Venture Firms Deploy Private Equity Roll-Up Strategy: I’ve long been evaluating PE approaches to venture investing. This is an interesting take.

As always - if you liked this newsletter, the biggest you can give me is sharing it with a friend <3

See you in 2 weeks,
Ilona

P.S. Did you check out my new website? I took a whirl with the Beehiiv editor. It’s still a work in progress but I’m slowly building into the “newspaper of my dreams.” Any and all feedback is welcome!