Key Takeaways & Insights

 

The highly anticipated RJO Technology Partnership Forum II brought together top industry leaders, fintech innovators, and AI experts for an exclusive deep dive into the evolving role of technology in the futures industry. With an emphasis on collaboration, strategic partnerships, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence, the forum explored the biggest challenges and most promising opportunities shaping the future.

 

Setting the Stage: The Importance of Technology in Futures

Gerry Corcoran, CEO of R.J. O’Brien, opened the forum by reflecting on his 38 years in the industry. He emphasized how technology has been a driving force in shaping the futures market, from the early days of desktop computing to today’s fast-moving, data-driven landscape. He underscored the necessity of continuous investment in technology to remain competitive.

“If you’re not investing in technology, you’re falling behind,” he stated.

Brad Giemza, Chief Information Officer at R.J. O’Brien, followed by outlining the forum’s objectives: to foster collaboration, explore new revenue streams, and strengthen industry partnerships. The agenda promised insightful discussions on AI implementation, fintech partnerships, and the growing role of automation—offering attendees a rare opportunity to gain first-hand insights from industry pioneers.

“The futures industry has always been about innovation. The companies that embrace technology early are the ones that thrive,” Giemza said.

 

AI in Futures: RJO’s Strategy & Implementation

One of the most anticipated sessions of the forum focused on RJO’s bold AI strategy. Brad Giemza detailed how RJO is integrating Microsoft Copilot across its operations, ensuring top-tier security and data curation while maximizing AI’s potential to drive efficiency.

“AI isn’t just about automation. It’s about unlocking new opportunities through data,” he explained.

 

Key milestones included:

• August 2024: Initial implementation of Microsoft Copilot
• September 2024: Soft launch with select teams
• October 2024: Full rollout across the organization

Looking ahead to 2025, RJO is setting its sights on deterministic AI agents, aiming to redefine operational efficiency and decision-making processes.

 

Fintech Partnerships: Finding the Right Fit

Tim Geannopulos, Industry Partner at Broadhaven and 7RIDGE and former Chairman and CEO of Trading Technologies, led a thought-provoking discussion on fintech partnerships, stressing that success depends on carefully selecting the right collaborators. He outlined the FinTech Selection Criteria, which included:

“The right fintech partner isn’t just about technology—it’s about vision, execution, and trust,” he emphasized.

• Solution Fit: Does the partner’s technology align with business needs?
• Strategic Fit: Is there a shared vision for growth and execution?
• Operational Fit: Can the solution integrate seamlessly into existing workflows?
• Financial Viability: Is the fintech stable and scalable?
• Relational Fit: Do both companies share a culture of collaboration?

A recurring theme was the importance of shared risk and shared reward. Attendees gained valuable insight into why partnerships thrive when both sides commit to investment, transparency, and long-term strategic alignment.

 

Success in Action: The Hrvyst & Phlo Systems Case Study

Patrick Christie, Senior Executive Officer and Head of Hrvyst at R.J. O’Brien, and Saurabh Goyal, Founder and CEO of Phlo Systems, presented a compelling case study on their successful partnership.

“Partnerships thrive when each side brings a unique strength to the table,” Christie noted.

Their formula for success revolved around three key pillars:

• Domain Expertise: Leveraging each company’s strengths to deliver superior solutions
• Cultural Alignment: Ensuring mutual respect and long-term commitment
• Strategic Execution: Expanding into adjacent markets with a focused go-to-market strategy

Their discussion reinforced the idea that trust and a shared vision are the foundation of any high-impact fintech collaboration.

 

AI Industry Panel: Investment, Ethics, and the Future

With AI adoption accelerating at an unprecedented rate, a panel of experts shared insights into where AI is headed, how to invest wisely, and what challenges lie ahead.

Panelists included:

• Michelle Moore, Director of Marketing at RJO Futures (Moderator)
• Kelly Cherniwchan, Founder & CEO, Chata.ai
• Gary Drenik, Co-founder, President & CEO, Prosper Insights & Analytics
• Giuseppe Fiocco, Founder & CEO, Cumulus9
• Ryan Moroney, CEO, CQG
• Joe Schroeter, Founder, Schroeter Consulting
• Mehdi Zhiri, VP of Business Development, Stoic

Joe Schroeter emphasized the importance of data integrity, stating:

“AI is only as good as the data it’s trained on. If you’re using bad data, you’ll get bad results.”

Panelists also highlighted:

• Microsoft’s $80 billion AI investment in 2025, with a new data center opening every 14 days.
• AI’s growing impact on financial modeling and predictive analytics.
• The increasing trend of companies developing custom AI models rather than relying on third-party providers.

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

The RJO Technology Partnership Forum II reinforced a central theme: collaboration drives progress. Whether through fintech partnerships or AI adoption, the futures industry is at a turning point, and those who invest wisely today will define tomorrow’s market landscape.

“The companies that embrace change and invest wisely today will lead the market tomorrow,” Gerry Corcoran concluded.

 

Next Steps & Further Resources

If you’re interested in learning more about RJO’s AI strategy or partnership opportunities, visit rjobrien.com.

Would you like help applying AI to your operations? Contact us to start the conversation.

Technology Partnership Forum Participants