Azril Ikram is the Lead Fintech Analyst at Franklin Templeton (FT). 

FT is a global asset manager with $1.5T in assets under management. In his role, he supports the firm’s global strategic innovation initiatives, including venture studio development and investment efforts in the fintech space.

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👋🏼  How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

Think of me like a tech scout for an investment company. 

I study how technology is transforming finance—like how Netflix changed entertainment, and help my firm figure out how to adapt, whether that means partnering with technology companies, investing in them or using their tools to make better investment decisions or enhancing the ways that we can serve our clients. 

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🧐  What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

Most people assume I spend all day buried in spreadsheets and slides or chasing the next blockchain and AI hype. 

But what might surprise you is that a big part of my job is storytelling. 

Whether I'm exploring a partnership or investment in a fintech startup, designing a future-of-finance experience for clients, or translating complex trends into strategic moves, I'm often acting as a bridge—between tech and finance, and between innovation and execution. 

I’ve learned that understanding the future of investing isn’t just about use cases exploration, tech applications and investment due diligence; it’s about being able to make people feel the impact of what’s coming next and make an informed decision on the best course of actions for the firm. 

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🏆  What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

The biggest highlight of my career so far was leading fintech investment deals from end to end—identifying the startups early, building the conviction through deep market analysis, structuring the deal, and eventually securing internal buy-in across different stakeholders.  

What made it special wasn’t just closing the deal but seeing how these founders went on to scale rapidly and became strategic partners for our firm.

 It was a reminder that deal-making is as much about pattern recognition and numbers as it is about timing, trust, and vision—and when those align, it’s incredibly rewarding.

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🔍  What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?

I’m closely watching the intersection of agentic AI, humanoid robotics, and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization—a convergence that’s reshaping the future of work, value, and finance.

Agentic AI is rapidly evolving from passive co-pilots to autonomous, decision-making systems—powering everything from investment research to hyper-personalized client engagement at scale. 

Humanoid robots are gaining traction in real-world applications, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, and service industries with visual action learning models. 

And RWA tokenization unlocks access in private markets, enabling fractional, on-chain ownership of assets like real estate, private equity, and intellectual properties. 

Startups that sit at the crossroads of these megatrends—blending AI, automation, and decentralized finance—are the ones I believe will shape the next decade of innovation.

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💼  What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

Stay curious about both finance and technology—and how they intersect. The best in this industry isn’t just good with numbers; they can spot trends, think strategically, and tell compelling stories that influence decisions.

Build relationships early—with founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers —because networks matter as much as insights. And don’t wait to feel “ready.” 

Say yes to projects that stretch you. In this space, learning by doing is the fastest path to growth.

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🗣  What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

I could talk for hours about the scale and mystery of the universe. 

There’s something deeply humbling and inspiring about how vast it is, and how much we’re still learning. 

The possibility of intelligent life and habitable worlds beyond Earth fascinates me—it’s a reminder that we might just be part of a much bigger story, and it keeps my curiosity alive every day.

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🎥  What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

I really enjoy shows that mix thoughtful storytelling with technology and humanity—something like “Black Mirror.” It’s fascinating how it explores the impact of technology on society, often in surprising and sometimes unsettling ways. 

It makes me think about the future we’re building and the ethical questions we’ll need to face.

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🍨  What's your go-to ice cream flavor?

Classic chocolate—you can’t go wrong with it. It’s rich, comforting, and just the right balance of sweet and indulgent.