Financial technology or fintech has become a hot topic. And for good reason too. Fintech startups are the new kids on the block that are shaking up the way we use money and how we pay for things.
Fintech startups range from payment processing app Square to mobile payments company Stripe. But there’s a long list of others that are also doing interesting things in the space.
Here are five fintech startups that you need to keep an eye out for in 2017 and beyond:
1) TransferWise:
TransferWise is a UK-based startup that offers international money transfer services. It’s one of Europe’s fastest growing fintech companies and raised $26 million in funding last year.
It was founded by Taavet Hinrikus, Skype’s first employee and Kristo Kaarmann, who was managing director at Deloitte Consulting in Estonia. They started TransferWise in 2011 after they discovered they were both paying hefty bank fees when transferring money between Britain and Estonia. The company now supports more than 700 currency routes across the world and has transferred over £4 billion since it launched.
2) Funding Circle:
Funding Circle is another London-based startup that allows individuals to lend money directly
The number of fintech startups has exploded over the past few years, as investors have poured money into these firms. But as the market matures and becomes more sophisticated, it’s becoming clear that only a handful of these startups will survive.
In the U.S., for example, some of the most promising fintech companies are working on solutions for small business owners, who often struggle to secure credit from banks. They’re also trying to simplify personal finance management and wealth management for everyday consumers.
In addition, many fintech companies are taking advantage of new technology to improve lending underwriting models and develop new investment products. Some startups are trying to make it easier for people to send money internationally while others are focused on making it easier to pay with your phone or online.
Here are five fintech companies that we think will be the biggest names in 2017.
Cities around the world are vying for a slice of the fintech pie – and London is far from being the only option for a budding fintech entrepreneur. Below, we take a look at five cities that are emerging as hubs for fintech startups.
1. Berlin
Berlin has been dubbed a “mini Silicon Valley”, and there’s no doubt the German capital is making waves in the European tech scene. In fact, its position as an innovation hub has been bolstered by its burgeoning fintech sector, with figures showing that Germany’s capital leads the way in terms of investment in terms of Europe’s top ten tech cities.
According to research by Dealroom, Berlin-based startups raised €3.5 billion in funding last year, with Finleap – a fintech incubator – raising €52 million in November 2016 alone to expand its portfolio of companies which includes peer-to-peer lender Zencap.
2. Singapore
Singapore has long been touted as one of Asia’s most promising cities for entrepreneurs, and it has now emerged as one of the region’s most popular locations for fintech startups too. Figures from KPMG indicate that Singapore accounted for two thirds of total venture funding raised by Asian fint
London has quickly become a hub for fintech startups in Europe, and the industry is showing no signs of slowing down. The UK government is investing £9 million into startups as part of a new initiative to boost the digital economy, and London’s Silicon Roundabout was recently named one of the top startup hubs in the world.
We’ve picked out five companies that are taking innovative approaches to fintech and putting London on the map as a leading tech city.
Starling Bank
Mobile banking startup Starling Bank is set to launch its banking app later this year, with a range of features that aims to change the way you manage your money. The technology uses an intelligent system to generate analysis based on your spending habits, so you can easily track how much you’re spending and where as well as set up bespoke budgets. And if you’re worried about security, Starling Bank lets you switch off your card with just a tap on your phone when it’s lost or stolen – no more waiting around for hours on the phone trying to cancel your card.
Flux
Flux is an app designed to help consumers get more from their shopping experience. The Flux app, which is currently compatible with Monzo cards, allows users to receive real-time receipts
The fintech industry is among the most exciting in the world, with new companies emerging almost daily. While it’s hard to say exactly which of these new ventures will be successful, there are a few that have caught our eye for their potential to disrupt the financial industry.
As the web’s first browser-based crypto wallet, Blockchain has been around since 2011. Their product allows users to hold a variety of cryptocurrencies and send them to other users. However, they just announced they will be developing their own cryptocurrency exchange. The exchange will allow users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies with fiat money. While the company doesn’t have a launch date yet, it’s estimated that it will happen sometime in 2017.
Fintech is a category of technology that has been accelerating over the last few years. It’s hard to believe, but there are already more than 6000 companies in the space globally, and they have raised a combined $50 billion in funding.
I’m not going to tell you about things like blockchain, robo-advisors, or online lending. We all know they’re big trends, and they aren’t going away any time soon. Instead, I want to share with you five areas that are more nascent but will have an outsized impact on fintech in 2017:
Wealth Management Automation: The vast majority of wealth management firms today rely on manual processes for asset allocation and portfolio rebalancing. A few startups like FutureAdvisor (acquired by Blackrock), SigFig and Wealthfront are automating this process using algorithms that are based on academic research. This is a massive market opportunity considering the estimated $12 trillion that is under management by financial advisors today.
AI-based Financial Advice: When it comes to investing money, we all need guidance from time-to-time even when we know we shouldn’t be listening. According to Google, 60% of all searches made regarding finance
1. Revolut
The London-based startup has recently announced a $66 million Series B round, led by Index Ventures. The company plans to use the funds to expand its product offering in the UK, and continue its global expansion. It is also looking at launching its first office outside of Europe, in Singapore.
Revolut has over 400,000 users, with more than 50,000 people joining each month. That’s particularly impressive given that it’s only been around since 2015. Its mobile app allows you to exchange money into 25 different currencies at interbank rates, and spend abroad fee-free on their contactless Mastercard debit card.
2. Tide
Tide wants to make business banking as simple as possible. It’s built an application which helps small business owners keep track of their expenses, file their taxes and collaborate with their accountant all in one place. It’s free for startups to use, but will charge a monthly fee once a company reaches a certain size or revenue threshold – although there are no details on what those are yet.
Tide currently has about 5,000 customers using its app and aims to triple that number by the end of 2017. It also recently revealed it has raised $13 million from investors including Atomico and