Fintech fund Reinventure seeking riskier investments
Armed with a $50 million cheque from Westpac and many lessons from their first fund, Danny Gilligan and Simon Cant are dialling up the risk. Not the type that raises eyebrows in banking, but rather trying to get more blockbuster returns out of the more mainstream fintech industry, even if that means failing often. “If you look at the data out of the US, the greatest risk as a venture capitalist is that you don’t take enough risk,” Gilligan told The Australian in their first interview since the founders of venture capitalist group Reinventure raised their second fund. “The worst-performing VC funds in the US, 50 per cent of the […]
Bitcoin technology could ensure grain growers get paid
A NEW company is seeking a technological answer to one of the biggest problems facing grain farmers — delays in being paid. Full Profile, established last year by Emma Weston, Bob McKay and Ben Reid, is looking at technology used in bitcoin trading to make prompt payments to farmers when they deliver grain. Ms Weston said Full Profile started building a program around the technology, known as blockchain, in April and will test it in Dubbo with a grain delivery to Fletcher International in the next four or five weeks. Ms Weston said the aim was for grain growers to know if the trader had the funds to pay them […]
Australia Post’s digital future rises from disruption as it embraces blockchain
Australia Post has been talking up its identity expertise for months and will soon launch a new mobile digital identity platform that could be a vital element of secure digital commerce. The digital service will allow people to verify their identity in just a few minutes via smartphone using biometric data. The technology will be robust enough to allow individuals to apply for a passport or mortgage by mobile and could become a new growth business for the national utility. “How do I know you’re who you say you are if I’m dealing with you on the computer?” Australia Post chief executive Ahmed Fahour asks BOSS. “Solving this is one […]
Xero announces HY17 results, Australian subscribers grow 45%
Xero Limited (NZX: XRO; ASX: XRO) today reported its half-yearly earnings to September 30, 2016, executing strongly on diversified global growth while making progress towards EBITDA break-even. Achieving milestones of annualised committed monthly revenue of $303.2 million and operating revenue of $137.2 million, a 48% year-on-year increase, Xero’s paying subscriber base reached 862,000, and reached a total lifetime value of $1.7 billion. Revenue growth rates, while strong, were adversely impacted by the strengthened New Zealand dollar. Xero remains focused on driving diversified global growth and executing on its business strategy, including building towards a high-margin business. “Our focus is to build a sustainable global business with high margins, while managing […]
EY FinTech Australia Census 2016
FinTech Australia and EY Sweeney release the most comprehensive analysis of Australia’s fintech ecosystem to date, the EY FinTech Australia Census 2016 FinTech Australia and EY Sweeney are today releasing the inaugural EY FinTech Australia Census 2016, the most comprehensive and detailed report on the Australian fintech industry to date. The research was formally launched in Melbourne today by EY’s Anita Kimber at FinTech Australia’s national summit, Collab/Collide 2016 in partnership with LaunchVic. This significant piece of research was commissioned by FinTech Australia as part of their efforts to foster a thriving fintech ecosystem in Australia. The report identifies important characteristics of the Australian fintech industry, and establishes a set […]
Quantifeed makes key hires from leading banks as expansion in Asia Pacific continues
Quantifeed, a leading provider of digital wealth management solutions in Asia Pacific, today announced the appointment of Audrey Wong in the combined role of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, alongside several other key senior hires in Hong Kong and Australia. The Hong Kong based company is moving ahead with regional expansion after announcing successful completion of a US$4.5 million Series A round in July. Audrey Wong brings strong financial and operational experience, coming from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where she was COO of Asia Pacific Equities in Hong Kong. Her career spans more than 15 years in the investment banking sector, including roles as CFO and COO. […]
WorldRemit achieves key volume milestone underpinned by strong user growth
WorldRemit achieves key volume milestone underpinned by strong user growth, with Australian market a key driver WorldRemit now processing over 500,000 transactions per month 100,000 transfers sent from users in Australia alone 160,000 transfers received directly on mobile phones Signalling rapid and accelerating global growth, online money transfer service WorldRemit announced it had processed more than half a million transfers in a month for the first time ever in September, with more than 100,000 transfers sent from users in Australia alone. The milestone continues WorldRemit’s record for consistent transaction volume growth, showcasing strong fundamentals – consistent, growing revenues streams and a clear path to profitability. Global turnover is […]
Prospa reaches $200 million milestone
Australian leading fintech, Prospa, announced the company has hit $200 million in loan originations – cementing itself as the leading force in Australia’s non-bank finance sector. The milestone announcement coincides with the company securing additional capital from a large local institutional funder for its latest financing round, taking total capital raised to over $100 million. Beau Bertoli, Joint CEO of Prospa, said the additional $50 million debt capital raising is part of Prospa’s strategy to scale operations. “This is a significant milestone for our business. It means we can meet increasing demand from small businesses for fast, easy access to finance. And it means we can continue […]
