Australian FinTech company profile #5 – SavR
Emily Wilcox: Practifi’s Australian COO disrupting the American fintech space
ASX-listed fintech Peppermint launches ‘Bizmoto Delivers’ micro-business pilot program in the Philippines
Peppermint Innovation Ltd (ASX: PIL) advises that a pilot of its Bizmoto Delivers micro-business program has commenced in the Philippines. The program officially started in the province of Cavite last week (Friday, 5th April), with the first 15 BizmoGo riders accredited to build their own micro business using Peppermint’s Bizmoto technology platform combined with a motorcycle that allows them to provide services to the people of the Philippines via a mobile phone app. The Bizmoto Delivers pilot program will also roll out in Novaliches, Bulacan and Pangasinan over the coming few weeks – with approximately 60 BizmoGo riders expected to be engaged in the Bizmoto Delivers trial. The pilot program […]
Home loan wrecker Athena proves demand for a new lending alternative
Homeowners don’t realise how much they’re being ripped off with rates. A new alternative has launched today on a mission to save Australians a lot of money by helping them pay off their home loan faster. A game-changing shake-up of the mortgage market has arrived with the launch of Athena – a home loan company on a mission to help Australians pay off their home loan faster. Launching with a highly competitive variable rate from 3.49% p.a for owner occupier principal and interest loans, and one of the best in market rates for investors starting at 3.89% p.a, Athena offers a genuine alternative to homeowners looking for change with their […]
Valentine’s Day for start-ups: The perils of dating the co-founder
Aleks Svetski and Chantelle de la Rey, co-founders of digital currency exchange Amber, observe a rule: they don’t call each other babe at work. The pair had been dating for four months when they founded their company in late 2017. While scaling the business in a highly volatile market, the couple agreed to a series of measures – from keeping Sundays work-free to separating how they communicate at work and home – to protect their fledgling relationship. “These things are never smooth. We’re in a relationship and on a crusade to help more people get access to bitcoin,” Mr Svetski said. Amber, which swaps spare change from daily purchases to […]
OpenSparkz completes second capital raising, attracts local and Asian investors
OpenSparkz, an Australian fintech which has developed a global platform that removes the need for loyalty cards, offer codes and coupons, today said its second capital raising has closed oversubscribed. The latest seed raising of AUD$1.5 million attracted new regional and local investors alongside further commitments from the founders and original backers. New investors include Louise Daley, the Singapore-based Deputy Chief Executive of Accor Hotels Asia Pacific. Ms Daley will join the OpenSparkz board, which currently includes Andrew Lo, the founder and CEO of Hong Kong-based EFT Payments. “I am excited to be taking up an investment opportunity in such a dynamic player. This is a rapidly evolving industry and […]
Peppermint signs MOU with Blockchain platform
Peppermint Innovation Limited (ASX: PIL) announced it has executed a non binding Memorandum of Understanding with Vleppo to explore the delivery of a Blockchain based platform to empower banked and unbanked individuals to source loans secured by digital assets. Peppermint previously provided guidance to the market in its announcement dated 27th November 2017 that it was watching the development of Blockchain capabilities and plans. This MoU is in alignment with this announcement and affirms PIL’s commitment to exploring partnerships with leading edge technology companies operating in the Blockchain space. Peppermint’s Managing Director and CEO Chris Kain said: “As a progressive Fintech company, we are always assessing advances made within the […]
A fireside chat with Evan Wong, CEO of Australia’s leading Regtech – Checkbox.ai
Evan Wong is CEO and Co-founder of Checkbox. At only 25 he already has two successful startups under his belt. Checkbox is a Regtech solution that enables business people to build software without any sort of coding. Checkbox is to business applications what WordPress is to Web Design. Used by lawyers, accountants and bankers Checkbox is considered the ideal tool to fix the Regulatory and Compliance issues facing many financial institutions. How did you become an Entrepreneur? Evan: I founded my first business when I was 17, an education business called Hero Education. Until that point I’d never shown any signs that I was going to be an entrepreneur. Looking […]