FinTech companies have had a transformative impact on the financial landscape – with the ScaleUp Institute’s Annual Review 2023 showcasing the sector as the leading unicorn-maker.
We highlighted which FinTechs we’ve got our eye on in the Capsule 2024 Scale-Up 50 list – so read on as we take an even deeper dive into the businesses redefining the finance industry.
FinTech-forward in 2024
Despite facing challenges in 2023, the FinTech industry continues to adapt and thrive, with a potential surge in funding on the horizon.
“Over the past year it’s been a delight to watch many FinTechs go from strength to strength – launching new products, expanding into new territories and reaching profitability despite a downturn in investment into the sector,”
Says April Bellchambers, FinTech and Venture Lead at Capsule.
“While some FinTechs soar to new heights with substantial growth and investment, others face the challenges of a fiercely competitive market. Yet, amidst these extremes, the collective drive towards making finance more accessible is unmistakable.
But what else can we expect from this dynamic sector in the coming year? Will a boost in funding lead to even greater competition?
Maybe we’ll see more collaboration between traditional financial institutions and emerging startups. Whatever may be in store, let’s take a look at the companies making things happen…
Pioneering payments orchestration platform APEXX Global is simplifying the complex with its partner-agnostic technology.
Acting as a payments-as-a-service platform, APEXX consolidates acquirers, gateways, shopping carts, and alternative payment methods into one single integration – addressing critical pain points for industry giants like Ryanair, CarTrawler, and Avon.
APEXX’s unique approach emphasises simplicity, trust, speed, and flexibility, and has attracted capital from noteworthy investors including MMC Ventures, Alliance Ventures, and Forward Partners – with MMC Ventures’ Chairman, Alan Morgan, joining its board.
Having raised an impressive $25 million funding total, the global payments ecosystem is currently expanding its presence in North America.
Not to be confused with the kitchen garment of the same name, Apron is the FinTech championing the needs of small businesses.
Its powerful payment platform empowers the little guy to consolidate and pay their invoices fast, so they can simply focus on growing their business.
Last year, Apron successfully raised £12 million in new investment to put towards the development of its new hub, where accounting firms can manage tasks from a single location.
The team also revealed plans to release a receipt capture and categorisation tool later this year – a bold step towards a more efficient, user-friendly financial ecosystem for small businesses.
Unsurprisingly, Curve is way ahead of the… well, you get it.
A self-defined financial super app that connects all of your cards in one, it gives users the convenience of paying with a single card – along with insights into what they’ve spent, when they’ve spent it, and where.
Realise you’ve made a payment on the wrong card? Curve even allows you to switch payments from one card to another up to 30 days after the payment was made.
The team raised a staggering £133 million in its Series C funding round, which will be used to improve the overall customer experience, expand its Flex offerings, and bring exciting new partnerships to the market.
“Powering the future of finance, together.”
That’s the mission statement of blockchain-based wholesale payments firm Fnality, which aims to bridge the gap between mainstream and digital finance – ultimately cutting the time and cost of settling, managing collateral, and making real-time wholesale payments for financial market transactions on a global scale.
Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and BNP Paribas are notable Fnality shareholders, with the FinTech announcing a successful £77.7 million Series B funding round at the end of last year.
This fresh injection raised Fnality’s total capital to £132.7 million and will be used to propel its launch in key currencies including USD, in addition to contributing to overall network growth.
Griffin
Griffin’s cutting-edge operating system is set to revolutionise embedded finance, making it simple and cost-effective to develop and launch financial products.
With its sights set on becoming an authorised bank, Griffin has tripled in size since its 2017 launch, and is backed by an exceptional leadership team – including CEO David Jarvis and CTO Allen Rohner, formerly of Airbnb and CircleCI respectively.
Following a recent $15.5 million funding round led by Notion Capital, Notion co-founder Stephen Chandler has also taken a seat on the board – preparing the business for even greater growth.
Committed to trust, kindness, and transparency, Griffin is on track to become the preferred banking partner for innovators in 2024.
Next on the list is one of Capsule’s very own clients. Along with stellar judgement, Moneybox has an ambitious vision: to make saving and investing simple and accessible for its users.
Realising that most people across the UK aren’t taught about financial planning at school, and with the wealth industry originally built to serve a minority, the team decided to take matters into their own hands.
The Moneybox app consolidates investing, home-buying, and retirement services, empowering people to reach their financial goals with confidence – whatever the starting point.
Established in 2016, Moneybox experienced a milestone year in 2023 – with revenue coming in at £28.7 million, compared to £10.1 million in 2022.
To date, it’s raised more than £100 million in funding – with the support of Oxford Capital and Eight Roads Ventures, amongst others.
Traydstream
Streamlining the efficiency of the trade finance sector, Traydstream is an automated trade document-checking platform leveraging machine learning to digitise trade documents.
Renowned clients already include Deutsche Bank, Standard Bank, and Mitsui – with Pivot Investment Partners and e& Capital leading its triumphant $21 million Series B funding round in September 2023.
This strategic investment not only propels Traydstream into its next phase of growth, but also fuels advancements in its acclaimed AI-powered platform.
Of the investment, CEO Sameer Sehgal said:
“With the support of Pivot and e& Capital, we are committed to accelerating our product innovation, extending our technology leadership, and driving fundamental shifts in how trade finance operates.”
A game-changer in the realm of institutional term cash investment, TreasurySpring has developed a revolutionary cash investment platform – providing companies ranging from FTSE 100 corporations to high-growth tech firms with access to diversified cash investment capabilities previously reserved for major financial institutions.
The platform’s success is underscored by its ability to address the critical need for companies to diversify cash deposits, access high-quality investments, and minimise banking risks in an ever-evolving financial market.
After closing a recent $29 million Series B funding round led by Balderton Capital, with participation from Mubadala Capital, TreasurySpring is set to achieve substantial growth.
Meet Volt – the electrifying force in the world of open banking and account-to-account (A2A) payments.
Volt’s mission is to build a payment network that is global, instant, and interoperable – connecting real-time payments everywhere.
By creating a single gateway to a world of A2A payments, the startup is transforming how money moves on a global scale.
2023 saw Volt secure a remarkable $60 million in a Series B funding round led by IVP – and with a valuation surpassing $250 million, Volt is making waves in the FinTech industry by seamlessly integrating with 5,000 banks across the UK, Europe, and Brazil.
The firm has also secured noteworthy partnerships, including Shopify and Worldpay, solidifying Volt’s position as a key player in the open-banking sphere.
Investing in success with Capsule
Disruption is the driving force behind scale-up success in the FinTech space – and only an equally disruptive insurance partner, like Capsule, can keep up.
We’re committed to creating a future where innovation thrives, risks are mitigated, and ambitions are realised.
Our tailored insurance solutions have played a key role in helping our FinTech clients succeed as they grow. Now, let’s keep that trajectory going – discover how we anchor relevant insurance solutions to your unique needs. Reach out today.