The UK is the leading global FinTech hub with a thriving ecosystem and international talent pool spanning the whole country. With an increasing number of Fintech firms exporting globally from the UK, tech startups are continuing to set the global standard on the application of technology, and more broadly, innovation in financial services.
As the Fintech sector matures, on the back of increasing demand for technology in financial services, these 6 game-changing fintech startups are constantly aiming to bring more ambitious and technology-driven financial products in the market in 2019.
Starling Bank
Founders: Anne Boden
Founding: €280 million
Valuation: £300 million – £450 million
Founded year: 2014
Why its hot: Starling Bank is a mobile-only bank providing personal, joint, and business accounts. The app helps users visualise and manage their finances in real-time. The app sends instant real-time payment notifications, in-app card lock, 24/7 in-app customer service, a flexible overdraft, and insights into spending habits. Starling Bank lets customers connect to an ecosystem of financial products and services and take control of their finances with this one-stop mobile solution.
Wealthify (Penarth)
Founders: Michelle Pearce-Burke, Richard Avery-Wright, Richard Theo
Founding: €1.3 million
Valuation: £9.7 million
Founded year: 2014
Why its hot: Wealthify operates with the mission to make investing simple and democratise investing by making it affordable and easy for everyone. With its digital savings and investments app and website, anyone can become an investor in no time. Wealthify builds an investment plan and manages it for its users. To make investing affordable, the company lets users invest as little as £1 and access the same anytime it is needed.
Habito (London)
Founders: Daniel Hegarty
Founding: €36.4 million
Valuation: £20 million – £30 million
Founded year: 2015
Why its hot: Habito helps you get the best mortgage ever. The company handles the process in a fast, impartial, and transparent way. Habito uses a unique combination of cutting-edge technology and industry-leading mortgage experts. For the first time, homebuyers can be sure that they are getting the best deal. Be it first-time homebuyers or those who are moving or just taking control of their finances, mortgage is a big decision and Habito’s dedicated mortgage expert will help you through the process.
Growth Street (London)
Founders: George Mills, Greg Carter, Joshua Green, Oliver Shapleski, Thomas Hoegh
Founding: €27 million
Valuation: £40 million – £60 million
Founded year: 2013
Why its hot: Growth Street helps businesses grow with its financial services. Ambitious businesses face numerous challenges, and this is where Growth Street wants to make things smarter and simpler. GrowthLine, its flagship business finance product works like an overdraft. Once a limit is assigned, users can draw funds and make repayments as per their preference in a given month. Even if the balance is £0 throughout a month, the service will not charge its users.
Flux Systems (London)
Founders: Matty Cusden-Ross, Tom Reay, Veronique Merriam Barbosa
Founding: €8.3 million
Valuation: $30 million – $45 million
Founded year: 2016
Why its hot: Flux is a multi-award winning startup. It automatically sends receipts and loyalty points to users’ smartphones. Users can get full receipts automatically in the banking app with the bank card at any store in the Flux network, get stamps within the banking app automatically, and get personalised offers sent to the banking app. Flux work with bank-level security and stores and processes data using third-party servers in secure data centres in Europe.
Tail (London)
Founders: Charlie Brodie, Harley Morlet, Philipp Keller
Founding: €600k
Valuation: £2 million – £3 million
Founded year: 2016
Why its hot: Tail connects to users’ bank account and uses transaction data to customise offers and provide them with cashback every time users make a purchase at one of its partners. Tail is regulated by FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) and ensures that user data is stored securely. Users of Starling or Monzo can get the cashback directly to their bank account. Other users can use Tail offers instantly via Android Pay or Apple Pay.
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Also read,
https://siliconcanals.com/news/accenture-innovation-awards-now-blue-tulip-awards/
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