🎤 Expert's voice
Contents
Every investment must have the potential to become a home run
2020 brought many interesting acquisitions in the fintech space
Visa’s proposed acquisition of Plaid was a substantial deal and the first big M&A transaction in the open banking space. Ultimately, it didn’t go through, but it’s a great example of Fintech 2.0.
While the first wave of fintech was focused on democratizing the frontend of existing financial services, the second wave is more focused on implementing applied tech through infrastructure and the middle layer.
Although a more modest exit, I believe Stripe's acquisition of Paystack will have a great positive impact on the African fintech ecosystem. It will bring attention, funding, and talent to one of the regions where fintech can have the most profound impact.
Looking back to 2020 and the impact of the pandemic, I have to say that it was an excellent example of the old saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Many tech companies and the startup ecosystem as a whole provided – and are continuing to provide – innovative solutions to the unprecedented problems we’ve faced. This is especially true when it comes to payments, online banking, and infrastructure.
Looking ahead to the next five to ten years
I see two very important ingredients that will further the growth of the startup ecosystem: talented entrepreneurs and capital willing to invest in tech.
An increase in successful ventures always has a major impact on the venture space as former employees, founders, and business partners gain valuable experience that can translate into more high-caliber startups. As a consequence, we see many "venture mafias" popping up after a venture’s success – from the Rapi-mafia to UI-path-mafia.
Also, the attractiveness for institutional investors has improved greatly. This has been due to:
- The outperformance of tech stocks in public markets.
- The success of IPOs and SPACs, especially in tech.
- The more predictable fund performance of venture and growth equity funds.
There are multiple factors to consider when analyzing a potential investment
The importance of these factors depends on the space, maturity, and even geography of the company. Having said that, the top three factors I consider most relevant in the stages I operate in (Seed – Series B) are:
- Team. A team that is able to execute on the vision and can pivot and navigate difficult times.
- Market timing and size. Is the market ready for the innovation the solution delivers, or is it already too late? Is the market big enough and growing?
- Initial validation. Be it on the product side or traction side, we expect some type of initial results (though pre-seed might be different).
Venture investors intend to invest in outliers that are able to return a big portion – if not all – of the fund and compensate for the writing-off of unsuccessful portfolio companies. Therefore, every investment needs to have the potential to become a home run (fund returner) – that is the most successful investment you can have in venture.
However, from my personal experience, venture isn't so binary and has more outcomes:
- Write-offs – multiple of 0x
- Saves – multiple of around 1x
- Small to large wins – multiple of 3-15x
- Fund returners
The key for startup founders is strong execution
After a successful fundraising round, entrepreneurs sit on top of a lot of money and need to execute on the vision and business plan they agreed on with investors. This often means aggressive growth – from hiring to performance marketing – which can be a challenge for entrepreneurs. I have seen great entrepreneurs failing after massive rounds due to mediocre execution.
The remedy is to hire and fire fast, don't fall in love with a certain go-to-market strategy, and surround yourself with people better than yourself.
🦄 Unicorns
Unicorns – private startups valued at over $1 billion – used to be rare. Now, there are more than 500 unicorns around the world, and fintech companies are strongly represented. To compile this list, our experts combined their insights and experience with valuation data from sources such as StartupsTips to bring you ten unicorns to watch in 2021.
1. Stripe
Payment processing software that provides economic infrastructure for the internet
Stripe offers a suite of payment APIs that are used by businesses – from new startups to giants like Salesforce and Facebook – to accept online payments and run technically sophisticated financial operations in more than 100 countries.
HQ Location: San Francisco, United States
Valuation: $36B
Industry: Payments Processing & Networks
Website: stripe.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
2. Ripple
Technology for sending money globally using the power of blockchain
Ripple unifies the infrastructure underlying global payments to enable the secure transfer of funds in any currency in real time. The company aims to accelerate value exchange in the Internet of Value (IoV) – creating a world where money moves like information does today.
HQ Location: San Francisco, United States
Valuation: $10B
Industry: Crypto
Website: ripple.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
3. Robinhood
Platform offering commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies
On a mission to democratize finance, Robinhood offers a mobile app and web platform that aims to make investing in financial markets more affordable, intuitive, and fun, no matter how much experience an investor has.
HQ Location: Menlo Park, United States
Valuation: $8.3B
Industry: Retail Investing & Secondary Markets
Website: robinhood.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
4. Coinbase
Digital currency wallet and platform that makes it easy to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrency
Coinbase is the leading mainstream cryptocurrency exchange in the United States. The company offers merchants and consumers a secure platform that allows them to transact with new digital currencies like bitcoin, ethereum, and litecoin.
HQ Location: San Francisco, United States
Valuation: $8B
Industry: Crypto
Website: coinbase.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
5. Chime
Online-only bank that provides fee-free financial services via its mobile app
One of the fastest-growing banks in the United States, Chime aims to help its members get ahead by offering a simple range of free personal banking products. The company boasts fee-free overdrafts, no hidden fees, and early direct deposit.
HQ Location: San Francisco, United States
Valuation: $5.8B
Industry: Digital Banking
Website: chime.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
6. Revolut
Range of solutions making up the world’s first global financial superapp
Revolut provides digital banking services to half a million businesses and more than 12 million personal customers. Through its mobile app, customers can exchange, send, and receive 27+ currencies instantly with no hidden fees.
HQ Location: London, United Kingdom
Valuation: $5.5B
Industry: Digital Banking
Website: revolut.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
7. Klarna
Payment solutions that aim to make paying as simple, safe, and smooth as possible
Now one of Europe’s largest banks, Klarna allows online shoppers to purchase from major retailers without paying upfront. The company offers direct payments, pay after delivery options, and installment plans in a smooth one-click purchase experience.
HQ Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Valuation: $5.5B
Industry: POS & Consumer Lending
Website: klarna.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
8. Wise
Money transfer service that allows users to transfer and exchange money internationally
Serving over 10 million customers, Wise (formerly TransferWise) aims to make moving money abroad low-cost, fast, and easy. The company has recently added a multi-currency account, which allows customers to hold and convert over 50 currencies at once.
HQ Location: London, United Kingdom
Valuation: $5B
Industry: Mobile Wallets & Remittances
Website: wise.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
9. Toast
Cloud-based point of sale technology that is transforming the restaurant industry
Toast offers a suite of restaurant management products that digitally transform point of sale, front of house, back of house, and guest-facing areas. The company aims to enable its community of restaurateurs to delight their guests, do what they love, and thrive.
HQ Location: Boston, United States
Valuation: $4.9B
Industry: Payments Processing & Networks
Website: pos.toasttab.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
10. SoFi
Mobile-first platform that aims to help customers get their money right
SoFi is a personal finance company that allows customers to borrow, save, spend, invest, and protect their money through its mobile app and desktop interface. It offers a large suite of products, including student loan refinancing, home loans, personal loans, and mortgages.
HQ Location: San Francisco, United States
Valuation: $4.8B
Industry: POS & Consumer Lending
Website: sofi.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
💰 Funding Rounds in 2020
To compile this list, we collated data on the biggest funding rounds of 2020 from sources including Crunchbase, Fintech Futures, and European Startups. We then combined this research with the opinions of our experts to bring you our predictions of the companies that will shape fintech in 2021.
1. Howden Group Holdings – $1.5 billion
International insurance intermediary group comprising insurance broking and underwriting companies
Previously known as Hyperion Insurance Group, Howden Group Holdings is a global insurance specialist made up of two companies. Dual is the world's largest international underwriting agency, and Howden Broking is an independent broker with employee-ownership at its heart.
HQ Location: London, United Kingdom
Funding round: $1.5 billion in Private Equity
Industry: Insurance
Website: howdengroupholdings.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
2. Convex Group – $1 billion
International insurer and reinsurer of complex speciality risks
Following the success of the Catlin Underwriting Agencies, Stephen Catlin and Paul Brand co-founded Convex in 2019. The company underwrites insurance and reinsurance focusing on large commercial clients with complex insurance requirements.
HQ Location: London, United Kingdom
Funding round: $1 billion in Private Equity
Industry: Insurance
Website: convexin.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
3. Klarna – $650 million
Payment solutions provider that aims to make paying simple, safe, and smooth
One of Europe’s largest banks, Klarna allows online shoppers to purchase from major retailers without paying upfront. The company offers direct payments, pay after delivery options, and installment plans in a smooth one-click purchase experience.
HQ Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Funding round: $650 million in Private Equity
Industry: POS & Consumer Lending
Website: klarna.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
4. Stripe – $600 million
Payment processing software that provides economic infrastructure for the internet
Stripe offers a suite of payment APIs that are used by businesses – from new startups to giants like Salesforce and Facebook – to accept online payments and run technically sophisticated financial operations in more than 100 countries.
HQ Location: San Francisco, United States
Funding round: $600 million in Series G
Industry: Payments Processing & Networks
Website: stripe.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
5. Chime
Online-only bank that provides fee-free financial services via its mobile app
One of the fastest-growing banks in the United States, Chime aims to help its members get ahead by offering a simple range of free personal banking products. The company boasts fee-free overdrafts, no hidden fees, and early direct deposit.
HQ Location: San Francisco, United States
Funding round: $533.8 million in Series F
Industry: Digital Banking
Website: chime.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
6. Ki Insurance – $500 million
Lloyd’s of London syndicate offering brokers instant access to an underwriting decision
Ki provides brokers and clients with a fast and simple way to get a quote in the Lloyd’s market. Its mobile and desktop platform is built on machine learning technology and a proprietary algorithm and uses available data to price the risk and generate a quote.
HQ Location: London, United Kingdom
Funding round: $500 million in Private Equity
Industry: Insurance
Website: ki-insurance.com
Social media: LinkedIn
7. Revolut – $500 million
Range of solutions making up the world’s first global financial superapp
Revolut provides digital banking services to half a million businesses and more than 12 million personal customers. Through its mobile app, customers can exchange, send and receive 27+ currencies instantly with no hidden fees.
HQ Location: London, United Kingdom
Funding round: $500 million in Series D
Industry: Digital Banking
Website: revolut.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
8. Robinhood – $460 million
Platform offering commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies
On a mission to democratize finance, Robinhood offers a mobile app and web platform that aims to make investing in financial markets more affordable, intuitive, and fun, no matter how much experience an investor has.
HQ Location: Menlo Park, United States
Funding round: $460 million in Series G
Industry: Retail Investing & Secondary Markets
Website: robinhood.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
9. Bakkt – $300 million
Platform designed to help consumers and institutional clients manage digital assets
Launched by Intercontinental Exchange, owner of the New York Stock Exchange, Bakkt is a digital asset marketplace. It serves institutional clients in an end-to-end regulated market with price transparency and helps consumers aggregate and manage digital assets.
HQ Location: Atlanta, United States
Funding round: $300 million in Series B
Industry: Asset Management
Website: bakkt.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
10. Greenlight Financial Technology – $215 million
Debit card for children featuring app-based parental controls
Through it’s debit card for kids, Greenlight aims to help parents raise financially-savvy children. Via its mobile app, parents can add funds, create goals, set parental controls, and receive real-time notifications whenever the card is used.
HQ Location: Atlanta, United States
Funding round: $215 million in Series C
Industry: Digital Banking
Website: greenlightcard.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
🚀 Fast-growing Startups
As new technologies and trends emerge, fintech startups continue to push the boundaries of innovation in financial services. To identify the fastest growing startups in 2020, we looked at information from a variety of resources. We analyzed data from sources such as Growjo, including growth indicators like revenue growth, funding news, employee growth, and company announcements, and combined this with the knowledge of our experts.
1. Clearbanc
Leading ecommerce investor for entrepreneurs and small business owners
Clearbanc provides growth capital for ecommerce, SasS, and mobile businesses. The company’s alternative funding model is based on business data rather than a personal credit score and uses proprietary underwriting and servicing technology.
HQ Location: Toronto, Canada
Industry: Business Lending & Finance
Website: clearbanc.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
2. Brex
Credit cards and cash management for growing companies
Brex is simplifying finance for its customers, from newly founded startups and ecommerce brands to established tech companies. New customers can quickly access corporate credit cards and cash management in a single strategic account.
HQ Location: San Francisco, United States
Industry: Digital banking
Website: brex.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
3. BlueVine
Banking provider offering a full suite of tailored banking services to small businesses
BlueVine aims to empower small businesses with accessible and modern financial services designed for them. Working with more than 200,000 businesses, its services include a business checking account, invoice factoring, and line of credit.
HQ Location: Redwood City, United States
Industry: Business Lending & Finance
Website: bluevine.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
4. Robinhood
Platform offering commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies
On a mission to democratize finance, Robinhood offers a mobile app and web platform that aims to make investing in financial markets more affordable, intuitive, and fun, no matter how much experience an investor has.
HQ Location: Menlo Park, United States
Industry: Retail Investing & Secondary Markets
Website: robinhood.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
5. Root Insurance Company
Car insurance provider disrupting the industry with mobile app-powered pricing
Currently operating in 30 states in the USA, Root Inc. offers car insurance based on data from its mobile app which assesses how customers actually drive, not their demographics. The company also works with carriers and fleet owners through Root Enterprise.
HQ Location: Columbus, United States
Industry: Insurance
Website: joinroot.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
6. Plaid
Data network that connects fintech companies with their customers’ bank accounts
Plaid makes it easy for people to connect their financial accounts to apps and services like Betterment, SoFi, and Venmo through its API and suite of analytics products. Its network covers more than 11,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada, UK and Europe.
HQ Location: San Francisco, United States
Industry: Core Banking & Infrastructure
Website: plaid.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
7. Chainalysis
Compliance and investigation software that tackles illicit cryptocurrency activity
Chainalysis provides banks, governments, and businesses with cryptocurrency investigation and compliance solutions that aim to build trust in blockchains. The company supports more than 87 leading cryptocurrencies and has users in over 50 countries.
HQ Location: New York, United States
Industry: Crypto
Website: chainalysis.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
8. Avant
Digital consumer lending platform offering personal loans and credit cards
Avant was established in 2012 with the mission of lowering the costs and barriers of borrowing for everyday people. Since then, it has streamlined the online borrowing process and connected more than a million consumers to over $6.5 billion in funds.
HQ Location: Chicago, United States
Industry: POS & Consumer Lending
Website: avant.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
9. OnDeck
Online lender providing flexible financing solutions to small businesses
OnDeck combines data analytics with digital technology to assess customers’ creditworthiness rather than relying on a credit score alone. The company aims to make it efficient and convenient for small businesses to access financing online.
HQ Location: New York, United States
Industry: Business Lending & Finance
Website: ondeck.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
10. tZERO
Blockchain-based marketplace trading digital private securities
tZero is a cutting-edge liquidity platform for private companies and assets. The company’s goal is to democratize access to private capital markets by providing a simple automated trading venue to investors, broker-dealers, and institutions.
HQ Location: New York, United States
Industry: Capital Markets
Website: tzero.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
🏦 Venture Capital Firms
Technology is changing the face of financial services, and leading the charge is a dynamic group of innovators, entrepreneurs, and disruptive thinkers. While some startups may have access to private funding, many wouldn’t be where they are today without the backing of venture capital firms. If you’re an ambitious fintech entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea, here are ten of the world’s top venture capital firms to consider.
This list was compiled from the results of our judging panel. The committee included Egemen Edgu, Citi Private Bank; David Putts, Billon Group; Aditya Goel, Stealth FinTech Company; Rita Martins, HSBC; Mel Reyes, Independent CIO/CISO; and Konstantinos Kalogerakis, Crowdpolicy.
1. Andreessen Horowitz
Stage-agnostic firm that backs bold entrepreneurs shaping the future through technology
Andreessen Horowitz – also known as a16z – was founded in 2009 by Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen. The firm backs seed to late-stage technology companies and has nearly $16.6 billion in assets under management across multiple funds.
Number of investments: 909
Number of exits: 148
Location: Menlo Park, United States
Standout investments: Stripe, Coinbase, Airbnb, Pinterest, Facebook, Slack, Instagram, GitHub, Skype, Asana, Plaid, Wise.
Website: a16z.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
2. Balderton Capital
UK-based firm focused exclusively on backing European-founded tech companies
Since it was founded in 2000, Balderton Capital has become Europe’s leading early-stage venture capital investor. The firm has raised over $3 billion in capital to invest in European startups and has helped more than 220 companies.
Number of investments: 324
Number of exits: 61
Location: London, United Kingdom
Standout investments: Revolut, MySQL, Betfair, The Hut Group, Yoox Net-a-Porter, The Walt Disney Company, Workhuman.
Website: balderton.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
3. Index Ventures
Firm working with transformative technology companies at every stage, across every sector
Based in London, San Francisco, and Geneva, Index Ventures helps ambitious tech entrepreneurs turn their ideas into global businesses. The firm covers all investment stages, from earliest seed through to explosive growth.
Number of investments: 884
Number of exits: 187
Location: San Francisco, United States
Standout investments: Adyen, Deliveroo, Dropbox, Farfetch, King, Slack, Supercell, Robinhood, Zendesk, Revolut, Raisin, Spendesk.
Website: indexventures.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
4. Citi Ventures
Venture investment arm of leading global banking giant Citigroup
Citi Ventures invests in and partners with innovative startups offering cutting-edge solutions that augment Citi’s products and services. Its aim is to harness the power of Citi to help businesses, communities, and people thrive in a world of change.
Number of investments: 114
Number of exits: 24
Location: San Francisco, United States
Standout investments: Square, Betterment, BlueVine, Grab, Plaid, Udaan, Braze, Tanium, Jet.
Website: citi.com/ventures
Social media: Twitter
5. Atomico
International investment firm helping ambitious tech founders at Series A and beyond
Built by founders for founders, Atomico is focused on helping Europe’s disruptive technology companies scale globally. The firm was founded in 2006, and its team of investors and advisors includes the founders of six billion-dollar companies.
Number of investments: 172
Number of exits: 32
Location: London, United Kingdom
Standout investments: Klarna, Skype, Supercell, Stripe, LendInvest, Compass, Ofo.
Website: atomico.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
6. Khosla Ventures
Firm providing venture assistance to entrepreneurs working on breakthrough technologies
Khosla Ventures was founded in 2004 by Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems. The firm has over $5 billion under management and focuses on a wide range of areas, including financial services, big data, education, advertising, and health.
Number of investments: 862
Number of exits: 118
Location: Menlo Park, United States
Standout investments: Stripe, Square, Uber, Instacart, Affirm, DoorDash, RingCentral, Swift Capital.
Website: khoslaventures.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
7. Kleiner Perkins
American firm partnering with forward-thinking founders from inception to IPO and beyond
Kleiner Perkins has been helping tech and life sciences founders to build iconic companies for almost fifty years. The firm has invested $10 billion in trailblazers such as Amazon and Google through its twenty venture funds and four growth funds.
Number of investments: 1,226
Number of exits: 274
Location: Menlo Park, United States
Standout investments: Stripe, Square, Google, Apple, Amazon, Salesforce, IBM, Cisco, Facebook, ClearStory Data.
Website: kleinerperkins.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
8. Notion Capital
Early stage investor in European SaaS, enterprise tech, and cloud
Notion has been investing in European-headquartered SaaS companies since 2009 and now has more than $500 million in assets under management. The firm’s mission is to create the conditions for extraordinary success, with the entrepreneur at the center.
Number of investments: 129
Number of exits: 13
Location: London, United Kingdom
Standout investments: GoCardless, Tradeshift, Currencycloud, Workable, Dealflo, Concentra.
Website: notion.vc
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
9. QED Investors
Fintech-focused venture firm helping companies in the US, UK, LatAm, and Asia
QED is a leading boutique venture capital firm founded in 2007 by Capital One Financial Services co-founder Nigel Morris and Frank Rotman. The firm focuses on early stage investments in disruptive, high-growth financial services companies.
Number of investments: 161
Number of exits: 25
Location: Alexandria, United States
Standout investments: Credit Karma, ClearScore, Nubank, SoFi, Avant, Remitly, GreenSky, Klarna, QuintoAndar, Konfio, Creditas, Mission Lane.
Website: qedinvestors.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
10. Ribbit Capital
Global investment organization on a mission to change the world of finance
Ribbit Capital targets disruptive, early-stage companies that leverage technology to drive financial innovation. Since launching in 2012, the firm has invested in companies spanning ten countries and serving customers in every major city in the world.
Number of investments: 124
Number of exits: 6
Location: Palo Alto, United States
Standout investments: Coinbase, Robinhood, Credit Karma, Nubank, Affirm, Brex, Root Insurance, Revolut, Hippo Insurance.
Website: ribbitcap.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
📈 Promising Startups
Given the number of innovative companies entering the fintech industry and their potential for explosive growth, it can be tough to decide who to add to your portfolio. To give you some food for thought, we asked our panel of judges to vote on which companies they believed had the most investment potential, and these are the top ten.
The committee included Egemen Edgu, Citi Private Bank; David Putts, Billon Group; Aditya Goel, Stealth FinTech Company; Rita Martins, HSBC; Mel Reyes, Independent CIO/CISO; and Konstantinos Kalogerakis, Crowdpolicy.
1. Stripe
Payment processing software that provides economic infrastructure for the internet
Stripe offers a suite of payment APIs that are used by businesses – from new startups to giants like Salesforce and Facebook – to accept online payments and run technically sophisticated financial operations in more than 100 countries.
HQ location: San Francisco, United States
Total Funding Amount: $1.6B
Industry: Payments Processing & Networks
Website: stripe.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
2. Robinhood
Platform offering commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies
On a mission to democratize finance, Robinhood offers a mobile app and web platform that aims to make investing in financial markets more affordable, intuitive, and fun, no matter how much experience an investor has.
HQ location: Menlo Park, United States
Total Funding Amount $5.6B
Industry: Retail Investing & Secondary Markets
Website: robinhood.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
3. Lemonade
AI-powered homeowners, renters, and pet health insurance driven by social good
Lemonade provides homeowners, renters, and pet health insurance based on AI and behavioral economics. The company is a certified B-Corp and donates unused premiums to selected non-profits as part of its annual Giveback program.
HQ location: New York, United States
Total Funding Amount: $480M
Industry: Insurance
Website: lemonade.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
4. Revolut
Range of solutions making up the world’s first global financial superapp
Revolut provides digital banking services to half a million businesses and more than 12 million personal customers. Through its mobile app, customers can exchange, send and receive 27+ currencies instantly with no hidden fees.
HQ location: London, United Kingdom
Total Funding Amount: $905.5M
Industry: Digital Banking
Website: revolut.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
5. Chime
Online-only bank that provides fee-free financial services via its mobile app
One of the fastest-growing banks in the United States, Chime aims to help its members get ahead by offering a simple range of free personal banking products. The company boasts fee-free overdrafts, no hidden fees, and early direct deposit.
HQ location: San Francisco, United States
Total Funding Amount: $1.5B
Industry: Digital Banking
Website: chime.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
6. Checkout
Connected payment services that empower businesses to adapt, innovate, and thrive
Checkout processes payments in over 150 currencies for businesses ranging from startups to global superbrands. The company’s end-to-end platform enables seamless payments and gives companies flexible tools, granular data, and deep insights.
HQ location: London, United Kingdom
Total Funding Amount: $830M
Industry: Payment Processing & Networks
Website: checkout.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
7. Tink
Open banking platform built to power the new world of finance
Tink provides Europe’s leading open banking platform and enables startups, fintechs, and banks to create data-driven financial services. The platform connects to more than 3,400 banks and reaches over 250 million bank customers through a single API.
HQ location: Stockholm, Sweden
Total Funding Amount: $308.4M
Industry: Core Banking & Infrastructure
Website: tink.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
8. Affirm
Alternative to credit cards offering customers transparent and flexible products
Affirm operates in the interest of consumers by providing simple, honest, and transparent financial products. The company serves over 6.2 million consumers in the US and promises no hidden fees or surprise interest on its 0% APR offers.
HQ location: San Francisco, USA
Total Funding Amount: $1.5B
Industry: POS & Consumer Lending
Website: affirm.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
9. Coinbase
Digital currency wallet and platform that makes it easy to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrency
Coinbase is the leading mainstream cryptocurrency exchange in the United States. The company offers merchants and consumers a secure platform that allows them to transact with new digital currencies like bitcoin, ethereum, and litecoin.
HQ location: San Francisco, United States
Total Funding Amount: $547.3B
Industry: Crypto
Website: coinbase.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
10. Ripple
Technology for sending money globally using the power of blockchain
Ripple unifies the infrastructure underlying global payments to enable the secure transfer of funds in any currency in real time. The company aims to accelerate value exchange in the Internet of Value (IoV) – creating a world where money moves like information does today.
HQ location: San Francisco, United States
Total Funding Amount: $293.8M
Industry: Crypto
Website: ripple.com
Social media: LinkedIn / Twitter
👉 Next chapter: Network
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