About
Where strategy meets speed-innovation done right
Our Mission
At AJS Innovation Labs, we bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical business solutions. We help startup and enterprise companies navigate the complex world of digital innovation, ensuring they build solutions their customers will actually use while maintaining compliance and reducing risk.
Who We Serve
We partner with forward-thinking companies ready to innovate, modernize, and lead in their industries.
Startups and enterprises driving blockchain transformation​
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We support teams integrating stablecoin and emerging technologies into their financial systems — helping them unlock new use cases, reduce risk, stay compliant, and deliver solutions customers actually want.
Companies fueling product innovation and growth​
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We help organizations uncover new market opportunities, design and launch differentiated products, and build the strategic foundation for long-term, scalable success.
About
Alicia Smith, Founder
Alicia is a fintech leader with deep expertise in stablecoin infrastructure, embedded finance, and regulatory-led development. She specializes in designing and scaling partnership-driven solutions across regulated financial ecosystems.
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As Founder of AJS Innovation Labs, Alicia advises startups and enterprise clients on go-to-market strategy, ecosystem integration, and product design. She is known for building trusted partnerships across engineering, legal, risk, and business teams to bring complex initiatives from concept to launch.
Previously, Alicia served as Head of New Fintech and Blockchain Innovation Products at MoneyGram, where she led the strategy and execution of local and global product Launches. Her work includes the MoneyGram Wallet, a stablecoin-based, non-custodial wallet; MoneyGram Access, a Stellar Network extension that enables global cash-in/cash-out; and the MoneyGram Debit Card, an account-linked product designed to provide customers with flexible, modern access to their funds.
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She brings a strategic, systems-level view to every engagement by helping teams translate regulatory complexity, technical infrastructure, and customer needs into scalable, revenue-generating products.
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Areas of Focus
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Fintech and Blockchain Partnerships
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Stablecoin Infrastructure & Wallet Development
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Cross-Border Payments & Regulatory Strategy
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Embedded Finance & Ecosystem Integration
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0-to-1 Product & GTM Execution
She lives in Texas with her daughter and their goldendoodle, where they love to travel, snuggle, and binge reality TV.
About
Justin Missanelli, Principle Product Consultant | Fintech & Blockchain
Justin is a product leader specializing in building scalable, secure digital financial solutions across fintech, blockchain, and enterprise platforms. He excels at translating complex technical ideas—whether DeFi on-ramps, API infrastructure, or mobile wallets—into simple, user-friendly products with real-world impact.
Justin has led full-lifecycle product development across engineering, compliance, and operations teams. At MoneyGram, he spearheaded the launch of the company’s first digital wallet, onboarding 100,000+ users within six months with zero paid marketing. He also played a key role in API and partner integration initiatives with Plaid, Galileo, and Trustly, building the foundations for new payment products.
His career spans agile transformation at BBVA, the design of DeFi-enabled USDC products on Stellar, and ongoing work in AI-driven product design. Known for navigating complexity with clarity, Justin brings a pragmatic, cross-functional lens to fintech innovation.
Areas of Expertise & Impact
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Fintech Product Strategy & Innovation
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0-to-1 Product Development
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Agile Transformation & Scaled Agile (SAFe)
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Digital Transformation
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Stablecoin Strategy and Integration
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Partner & API Integration
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Blockchain & DeFi Infrastructure
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AI-Enhanced Product Workflows (in progress)
Why choose AJS Innovation Labs?
Expert Advisors
Our team consists of industry veterans with decades of combines experience.
Tailored Solutions
We create custom strategies that align with your specific business goals.
Data-Driven Approach
Our recommendations are backed by thorough research and analysis.
Measurable Results
We focus on delivering tangible outcomes and ROI for your business.