The dying art of arguing
No matter how smart you are, you may be wrong. And having the conversation will always teach you something.
Start-up
US SME banking platform Novo raises $90m in Series B funding
Novo CEO Michael Rangel says the funds will go towards improving cash flow for small businesses.
Brex hires Meta product head Karandeep Anand as CPO, lands $300m funding
Since its founding in 2017, Brex has raised a total of $1.2 billion.
Fintech start-up Twig raises $35m to support Web 3.0 plans
The London-based fintech intends to expand into the EU and US in 2022.
Video: fintech news pick of the week – Petal, Unibo, & iProov
Our top pick of news from the world of finance and tech in bitesize video format, every week.
Alternative retirement investment platform Alto raises $40m in Series B
The firm claims more than 15,000 IRA investors with a billion dollars of assets under custody.
Credit building start-up Petal raises $140m in Series D, faces lawsuit
Petal CEO says firm is hiring across the board for more than 100 positions this year.
ICYMI funding round-up: Anfin, Cion Digital, D2X, KRM22, & Orenda Finance
Our weekly “In Case You Missed It” funding round-up for you to get the latest funding news.
The great perhaps
This year, we should have the courage to move away from what we’ve always known to really push what is possible.
How can female leaders in fintech pave the way for the next generation of women?
Fintechs must create road maps for the next generation of women in this industry to follow.
What the FinTech? Podcast | Season Two’s Jailed Buzzwords
We run down all the buzzwords our podcast guests wanted gone from the industry this year.
The (deliciously delayed) pernicious effects of “managing up”
Don’t manage up. Don’t treat your trench buddies like they’re expendable. Be a good colleague at all times.
MODIFI secures $145m in debt financing to boost SME trade support
“2021 has been a challenging year for SMEs,” says MODIFI CEO.
Fintech start-up Papaya lands $50m Series B round to simplify bill payments
New cash injection takes the firm’s total capital raised to date to around $65 million.
But I don’t like strawberries
You shouldn’t always accept the premise of a question. Especially if it’s evidently not itself premised on fact.
Mexican fintech Clara hits unicorn status with $70m Series B round
The new cash will fund the start-up’s expansion into Brazil.
Corporate financial management start-up Mesh Payments raises $50m
The Series B funding round was led by Tiger Global.
Finance management platform Rho raises $75m in Series B round
Founded in 2018, the start-up has raised $205 million in equity and debt financing to date.
ICYMI funding round-up: Trolley, TSLC, and Freetrade
With the ever fast-paced nature of the fintech world, it’s easy to let announcements slip by from time to time.
Banking start-up Hatch rebrands as Nearside, raises $58m in Series B
Founded in 2019, Nearside focuses on “the smallest of the small businesses” in the US.
Digital wealth manager Wealthsimple exits UK
All eligible accounts will be transferred to Moneyfarm in January.
Mexican spend management start-up Mendel lands $35m in new funding
Funds will be used for product development and to accelerate growth in Mexico and Latin America.
Banking service for migrants Majority raises $27m in Series A
The company has identified 180+ unique migrant communities it intends to offer its services to.
Fintech funding deals globally 29 November – 5 December 2021
Featuring Slice, 1inch, Prytek, Kueski and Fundbox.
Finance reporting start-up Abacum gains $25m Series A funding
The company provides a SaaS platform for streamlining reporting and improving forecasting accuracy.
ICYMI funding round-up: Bunq, Qapita, GajiGesa, Knowledge Bank, Anchor, Goalsetter, & Lamaa
In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) funding round-up for you to get the latest fintech funding news.
New neobank designed exclusively for women of colour launching in 2022
GoWomen says it will provide banking services and financial awareness and wellness products.
Jeeves and Mastercard partner in Mexico for physical and virtual business cards
Tie-up follows $188m funding for Jeeves, which launched at the start of 2021.
New neobank Migom provides unbanked entrepreneurs essential banking services
The digital bank also provides crypto capabilities, including instant crypto transfers.
In your own time
If you think you can dictate timings for the business you are in, think again.
Dear Luc: When is the best time to go fundraising?
Feeling the pressure seeing all the funding rounds lately for fintechs so early on in development?
ICYMI funding round-up: Pomelo Pay, Nudge, Recordent, fintus, EarlyBird, WLTH, and Basiq
In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) funding round-up for you to get the latest fintech funding news.
What happens next?
The deal is: you can moan and rant and vent as much as you want. Provided you do something next.
Family savings fintech UNest raises $26m in Series B round
Company is one of the few US fintechs with a female founder to gain investor funding to date.
US fintech start-up Settle closes $60m Series B round
The San Francisco-based company has now raised $100m in total funding to date.
8fig raises $50m to reinvent supply chain management for e-commerce sellers
8fig says it’s on a mission to propel 10,000 sellers to eight-figure revenue by 2025.
The right way to build a fintech
Fintech entrepreneurs need to ensure they get back-end processes right when launching their business.
Mexican BNPL platform Aplazo completes $27m Series A round
Increase in headcount and Latin American expansion planned.
New fintech start-up Arbo Works gains seed funding ahead of launch
Set up by ex-Google execs earlier this year, the firm is embarking on a major recruitment drive.
Crypto platform Gemini secures $400m in first outside funding round
The new capital injection values the company at $7.1 billion.
