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AI-powered FP&A advisory services may available through Clockwork.ai in partnership with Thomson Reuters
Clockwork.ai, the AI-first financial planning and analysis (FP&A) platform transforming the future of finance, has announced a strategic alliance with Thomson Reuters, a global leader in content, technology, and professional services. Through this collaboration, Clockwork will now be integrated as a premier FP&A solution within Thomson Reuters’ expansive ecosystem, enabling accounting firms across its wide-reaching network to unlock powerful new capabilities.
This partnership directly tackles one of the most pressing challenges in the market: helping accounting firms elevate their advisory practices by converting complex client data into clear, actionable insights. With Clockwork’s intelligent real-time forecasting, automated weekly cash flow projections, and advanced AI-driven scenario modeling, firms gain the ability to deliver precise, high-value insights consistently and at scale. These capabilities empower accountants to strengthen client relationships, enhance decision-making, and accelerate growth in an increasingly competitive financial environment.
According to Fady Hawatmeh, founder and CEO of Clockwork.ai, “this collaboration is a major step forward for our team and the forward-thinking companies we collaborate with.” We believe that innovative tools, when designed with speed, precision, and genuine customer empathy, can redefine how firms operate. By combining Clockwork’s AI-powered platform with Thomson Reuters’ global reach and expertise, we are making advisory services an essential and accessible function for every firm. Today, advisory is not optional—it’s a mandate. Together, we are enabling firms to scale confidently with automation, transparency, and real-time financial clarity.”
Brian Wilson, General Manager of Tax at Thomson Reuters, added, “Our mission is to deliver the tools and intelligence that firms need to succeed in today’s rapidly changing financial landscape. We are continuously innovating internally and forging strong partnerships externally to expand the value we provide. Our commitment to providing businesses with cutting-edge, AI-powered FP&A solutions that extend and enhance our current technology portfolio and produce quantifiable results for our clients is demonstrated by our partnership with Clockwork.
Partnership Between Fortis and Risemint Strengthens Wealth Management Offerings for Families and Businesses
Bryce Johnson founded the independent wealth management firm Risemint, which has teamed up with Fortis Capital Advisors. Since launching in 2019, Risemint has grown impressively from zero assets under management to more than $120 million before joining forces with Fortis. This collaboration marks the next phase of Risemint’s growth, with the support of Fortis Capital Advisors’ seasoned team of specialists, allowing the firm to expand its ability to deliver tailored wealth management strategies for families and businesses.
Risemint founder Bryce Johnson emphasized the common values that made the collaboration a logical choice. “What makes this collaboration so powerful is our mutual dedication to continually investing in and improving our services,” he said. “Both firms share a progressive vision and a steadfast commitment to the highest standards of service and results. Our clients deserve partners who never settle but continue to evolve year after year.”
Rob Hagg, Chief Sales and Growth Officer at Fortis Capital Advisors, expressed a similar sense of enthusiasm. The addition of Risemint and Bryce to the Fortis family makes us very happy. His proven ability to build a thriving practice while keeping client outcomes at the center of his work perfectly aligns with our mission. Together, we can deliver greater value and a broader range of resources to his clients.”
With an MBA in Finance from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, Johnson brings a solid track record to the collaboration. Prior to launching Risemint in 2018, he spent a decade as a lead portfolio manager at two Denver-based firms. His investment-driven approach quickly established a loyal client base and fueled the firm’s steady growth. With Fortis Capital Advisors now providing comprehensive back-office support, Johnson will be able to focus more deeply on his dual responsibilities as portfolio manager and primary client advisor, roles for which he has already earned high praise.
“Our clients’ success is our success,” said Johnson. “With Fortis as a partner, I am confident we are entering the most exciting chapter of our journey.”
FieldAI Expands Global Robotics Platform Following $405M Investment Rounds
FieldAI, a leader in robotic autonomy and embodied AI, has secured $405 million through two consecutive funding rounds backed by investors including Bezos Expeditions, BHP Ventures, Canaan Partners, Emerson Collective, NVentures, the venture arm of NVIDIA, Temasek, Prysm, Intel Capital, and Khosla Ventures, among others. Previous supporters such as Gates Frontier and Samsung also participated. The rounds were oversubscribed, reflecting rapid adoption of FieldAI’s general-purpose robotics platform, which has already been deployed successfully in hundreds of complex industrial environments worldwide.
The company is pioneering a single “software brain” capable of powering multiple types of robots across diverse settings. From Japan to Europe to the U.S., FieldAI systems are already operating daily in industries such as construction, energy, manufacturing, logistics, and inspection. Its models make decisions in real time at the edge, seamlessly integrating into customer workflows. With significant operational hours and real-world data logged, FieldAI has demonstrated continuous improvement, scalable autonomy, and meaningful cost efficiency. Rising demand for automation to address labor gaps, safety challenges, and productivity goals is accelerating the adoption of its technology.
With ambitions to double the staff by the end of the year, the new funding will be utilized to support strategic hiring, propel improvements in locomotion and manipulation, and broaden FieldAI’s global presence. According to Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures, FieldAI’s unique approach to embodied intelligence provides a pragmatic and scalable path to autonomy, unlocking long-term economic and social value.
At the heart of FieldAI’s platform are Field Foundation Models (FFMs), a new generation of “physics-first” foundation models designed specifically for robotics. Unlike vision or language models adapted for physical use, FFMs are built from the ground up to account for risk, uncertainty, and real-world physical constraints. This design allows robots to operate safely in unpredictable conditions, navigating environments without maps, GPS, or predefined paths. FieldAI CEO Ali Agha explained that the company’s years of field research informed the development of intrinsically risk-aware architectures, avoiding the limitations of retrofitted AI approaches.
FFMs enable robots to dynamically adapt to new challenges without reprogramming and have already been validated across quadrupeds, humanoids, wheeled machines, and passenger-scale vehicles. Their hardware-agnostic nature means that a wide variety of robots can run on the same intelligence core, accelerating deployment and scaling.
FieldAI’s team includes veterans from DeepMind, Google Brain, Tesla Autopilot, NASA JPL, SpaceX, Zoox, Cruise, DARPA, TRI, and more—bringing together deep research expertise and proven deployment at scale. Headquartered in Irvine, California, the company is driving a new era of autonomous robotics, equipping industries worldwide to scale automation safely and effectively.
MoneyHero Emerges as Market Leader in Finance Comparison with Smart Insurance Solutions
For anyone seeking a new insurance policy—whether for health, home, or car—the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming. Navigating through various products with different features and pricing often proves confusing. Personal finance comparison platforms like MoneyHero help simplify this journey by consolidating a wide range of insurance options into one accessible, easy-to-use platform, allowing users to compare offerings and choose the right fit with confidence.
According to Rohith Murthy, CEO of Singapore-based MoneyHero, such platforms make it much easier for consumers to understand and secure the coverage they need. Insurance is often a protective purchase, made in the hope it’s never needed. Unfortunately, many individuals underestimate its importance, potentially leaving themselves vulnerable to significant financial setbacks during unexpected events. At the same time, insurance represents a sustainable revenue stream for platforms like MoneyHero through policy renewals. In markets such as Singapore and Hong Kong, MoneyHero has grown its presence in car, travel, and health insurance, delivering more choice to consumers and steady business growth.
Education plays a central role in MoneyHero’s strategy. Many people see insurance as complex or unnecessary. The platform addresses this by offering straightforward educational content to highlight why proper coverage matters for financial security. Once consumers are ready to act, MoneyHero provides transparent side-by-side comparisons of various insurance products, helping users navigate complex terms, fluctuating premiums, and a crowded provider landscape. The platform’s intuitive interface ensures the purchase process is smooth and user-friendly, allowing people to secure insurance quickly and with clarity.
As the broader industry embraces insurance technology, MoneyHero remains focused on enhancing its digital marketplace rather than becoming an insurtech itself. Through key partnerships with firms like Bolttech and eBaoTech, MoneyHero has introduced real-time pricing and seamless end-to-end purchasing experiences for car and travel insurance. These collaborations strengthen the platform’s capabilities while delivering exceptional customer experiences.
MoneyHero has also developed a strong partner network, working closely with over 260 institutions across four markets. These partnerships allow the platform to offer exclusive deals and competitive rates while leveraging APIs and integrated systems to optimize the user experience. The company’s Creatory platform further supports its mission by empowering content creators and influencers to connect with audiences through ready-made content and back-end support.
Founded in 2014, MoneyHero has outlasted many regional competitors to become the only publicly listed comparison platform in its space. With AI and conversational technology on the horizon, the company is evolving to become more like a personalized digital financial coach—capable of understanding individual needs and offering tailored, real-time advice.
How African Fintechs Are Redefining Financial Inclusion Worldwide
Africa’s fintech sector is emerging as one of the most influential drivers of global financial innovation, outpacing traditional hubs like Silicon Valley. While Western fintech companies largely enhance existing systems, African startups are creating the very foundations of financial access for millions of unbanked and underbanked people. Despite a 38% decline in worldwide fintech investment, transaction funding for African fintechs increased by 59% in 2024. By contrast, Silicon Valley’s fintech-focused fundraising has sharply declined, with venture funding falling 91% from its 2021 peak, signaling a broader shift in where transformative ideas are being born.
The defining difference is rooted in problem-solving. Startups in Africa are building financial infrastructure from scratch, addressing the needs of communities historically excluded from banking systems. Companies such as Flutterwave and Maplerad are providing traders with affordable digital payment options, instant settlements, and support in local languages. These are not incremental upgrades but radical innovations that expand access and usability.
Africa’s mobile-first approach was born out of necessity rather than choice. Limited banking infrastructure and the widespread use of mobile devices created an environment where fintech had to prioritize resilience, scalability, and accessibility. As a result, solutions such as offline functionality, lightweight synchronization, and user-friendly interfaces for basic smartphones are now influencing product design worldwide.
Collaboration is another hallmark of African fintech. Instead of competing in isolation, companies build interconnected ecosystems of mobile money services, digital banks, and microfinance platforms, creating network effects that reinforce sustainable growth. This cooperative model contrasts sharply with Silicon Valley’s winner-takes-all approach.
The sector is also at the forefront of practical AI applications, from machine learning-powered credit scoring and fraud detection to multilingual customer support in markets lacking formal financial data. These innovations directly address the barriers faced by underserved populations. Regulatory frameworks in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa further support progress, with sandboxes allowing real-world testing of new ideas in partnership with regulators. This accelerates innovation while aligning it with consumer needs, unlike the slower and more rigid processes typical in Western markets.
African fintechs have also redefined the business model for financial services. They prioritize profitability and customer retention over venture capital-fueled growth, making them more resilient in the face of economic or regulatory shifts. It is expected that the African fintech sector would bring in $65 billion by 2030, primarily from financial inclusion rather than upscale features.
These solutions are already spreading beyond the continent, inspiring fintech development in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. Far from catching up, Africa is setting the pace for the future of global financial innovation.
For the second season, Ebury will be Southampton Football Club’s official fintech partner
Ebury, a global leader in financial technology, is pleased to announce the renewal of its partnership with Southampton Football Club for the 2025/26 season, continuing as the club’s Official Fintech Partner. This extension builds on the strong relationship first established in October 2024 and will see Ebury maintain its support for Southampton’s growth ambitions by providing expertise in international financial operations.
Through the agreement, Southampton will continue to benefit from Ebury’s online payments platform, currency exchange capabilities, and money transfer services. Ebury’s presence will also remain visible at St Mary’s Stadium with branding on LED boards and big screen displays during matchdays.
With the extension, Ebury’s expanding sports portfolio-which already includes collaborations with top teams like Aston Villa, Rangers, and PSV Eindhoven-is even more robust. By operating a specialist sports business unit, Ebury delivers tailored solutions designed to help clubs, athletes, and agents manage cross-border payments, FX risk, sponsorship revenue, player trading, merchandising, and major capital investments.
With operations in more than 40 global offices across 29 markets and a team of 1,800 professionals, Ebury supports organizations with international payments, FX risk management, collections, and business lending. These services empower sports businesses to expand globally with greater efficiency and security.
Peter Brooks, Global Head of Sports at Ebury, expressed his enthusiasm about the extended collaboration: “We are delighted to continue as Southampton’s Official Fintech Partner for the upcoming seasons and look forward to supporting their success in the Championship. In today’s football landscape, clubs need fast, secure, and globally connected financial solutions-precisely what Ebury delivers. Our global experience with leading sports organizations allows us to anticipate evolving needs and provide the tools for growth.”
Additionally, Dave Driver, Southampton FC’s financial director, stated: “Ebury has been a great partner, providing outstanding experience that has improved our finance operations. We are excited to continue building on this strong foundation together.”
Soraban Secures Series A to Revolutionize Admin Automation for Accounting Firms
Soraban, the Intelligent Admin Copilot designed specifically for accounting firms, has announced the completion of its Series A funding round, led by Altos Ventures. In an industry grappling not only with a shortage of skilled professionals but also with an overwhelming volume of unbillable tasks, Soraban offers a targeted solution. While most automation tools address tax-related work, Soraban focuses on the 40–60% of the workweek that firms cannot bill, tackling the manual processes that drain both time and resources.
“Our mission is to remove the administrative burden that slows accountants and administrators down and costs firms significant revenue,” said Enoch Ko, CEO and Founder of Soraban. “The industry is facing a capacity crisis. Skilled professionals are in short supply, and while others are still experimenting, Soraban has already supported over 300 firms through five tax seasons. We can scale across more workflows with this increased investment, giving the profession a smarter, faster future.”
Purpose-built for accounting firms, Soraban automates the execution layer between tax software and clients, streamlining everything from client onboarding and document gathering to workflow coordination and final deliverables. As a result, businesses can expand without experiencing operational upheaval. Users have praised its impact; John Hopkins, Partner at Prospect Financial Solutions, noted that Soraban’s ease of use and automated reminders have saved countless hours, allowing his team to maintain productivity even after losing a key administrator.
Beyond replacing manual admin work, Soraban redefines workflows by reducing the need for accounting staff to handle routine tasks. The platform increases capacity without adding headcount and allows admin teams to focus on enhancing client experiences. By cutting turnaround times, boosting client satisfaction, and freeing up professionals to work in their areas of expertise, Soraban transforms firm operations.
According to Cathy Anderson of Altos Ventures, “Accounting firms are drowning in administration, not accounting,” . And also she said that, “From the standpoint of the client, Soraban reconstructs the back office. When the client experience works, everything else falls into place—less chasing, more billing, and happier teams. Enoch’s background as both an engineer and former firm owner gives him unique insight into solving this problem at scale.”
Nium Enhances Verify with iPiD Integration for Safer, Smarter Payments
Nium, a global leader in real-time cross-border payments infrastructure, has announced the European expansion of its account validation service, Verify, through an enhanced strategic partnership with iPiD, the provider of the Know Your Payee (KYP) solution, iPiD Node. In this strengthened collaboration, iPiD is also adopting Nium’s Verify technology to improve its own validation capabilities, creating a mutual exchange of innovation between two of Singapore’s most prominent fintech companies. By leveraging Nium’s established account verification infrastructure, iPiD broadens its global reach, while both organizations work toward a shared goal of building trust, reducing fraud, and meeting evolving regulatory demands in international payments.
With Verification of Payee (VoP) set to become a regulatory requirement in the EU by October 2025, payment service providers will need to verify payee details and prove that verification attempts were made and recorded. This collaboration expands the reach of Nium’s Verify product to 41 more SEPA zone nations with the integration of iPiD Node, enhancing Nium’s current instant account verification network in 25 countries globally.
Nium stands out as the only provider with direct access to global real-time payment schemes for both payment execution and account validation, a capability that is now reinforced by iPiD Node’s compliance-ready infrastructure. Nium has helped clients save millions of dollars by reducing errors and preventing fraud since launching Verify. One leading remittance provider reduced its error rate from 1.41% to 0.34% using the service. At the same time, iPiD Node has enabled financial institutions to meet stringent VoP requirements with audit-ready evidence logs, while minimizing false positives and manual checks in high-risk transactions.
According to Damien Dugauquier, Co-founder and CEO of iPiD, the partnership is a testament to the strength of working with trusted allies to tackle the next generation of cross-border compliance and fraud challenges. Unlike traditional name-matching tools, the combined Nium Verify and iPiD Node solution taps directly into domestic real-time payment systems for unmatched accuracy, transparency, and fraud prevention. This collaboration not only strengthens compliance and customer experience but also highlights the growing synergy between Singapore’s fintech leaders in creating secure, scalable, and regulation-ready financial infrastructure for the global stage.
Saifr and Adobe GenStudio forge alliance for compliant FinTech marketing
Saifr has announced its integration with Adobe that aims to redefine compliant content creation within the financial services industry.
As part of the Adobe Experience Cloud as an Adobe Technology Partner, Saifr provides advanced AI compliance solutions that serve as a compliance guardrail for generative AI content, helping users manage their risk and enhance the speed to market of their content.
The reason for the partnership is to leverage Saifr’s AI technology within Adobe’s platform to streamline the creation of compliant content, particularly in the highly regulated financial services sector. This integration aims to enable marketers to use generative AI safely and in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
Saifr specialises in AI-driven compliance solutions that monitor and guide the creation of digital content in line with regulatory standards. Their tools act like a spell-check for compliance, detecting potential risks and suggesting amendments that align with guidelines from regulatory bodies like FINRA and the SEC.
Adobe offers a range of digital marketing and media solutions. Their GenStudio for Performance Marketing provides tools for marketers to create, manage, and optimise their content effectively across various digital platforms.
The integration enhances Saifr’s presence within Adobe’s ecosystem, expanding their reach and capabilities in the digital marketing space. It follows a previous collaboration where Saifr AI models were included in the Microsoft Azure AI Foundry model catalogue.
Saifr’s Retail Marketing Compliance and Suggested Language models are now accessible within Adobe GenStudio, allowing for an in-tool compliance review that aligns with the needs of financial marketers and complies with stringent industry regulations.
“Marketers are increasingly using generative AI in their work, which can introduce business risk, particularly in regulated industries, such as financial services,” Saifr CEO Vall Herard said. “Saifr’s integration with Adobe enables marketers to take advantage of a powerful new technology’s outputs in a way that prioritizes safety and can help facilitate compliance with regulatory guidelines.”
“Microsoft is committed to empowering organisations through industry-specific solutions that address their unique needs,” Microsoft Corporate Vice President Satish Thomas said. “Our collaboration with leading industry partners, such as Saifr, to offer partner-enabled adapted AI models in the Azure AI Foundry model catalogue gives organisations the ability to access, build and deploy AI solutions quickly and efficiently. This approach accelerates time-to-value and fosters a robust ecosystem of innovation that helps organisations across industries transform their operations and achieve new levels of success.”
PIMFA and Morningstar launch AI Tech Sprint to transform wealth management
PIMFA WealthTech, the innovation arm of the Personal Investment Management & Financial Advice Association (PIMFA), has partnered with Morningstar to launch a new AI-focused Tech Sprint, aimed at solving key operational challenges in the wealth management sector.
The competition offers FinTech firms the opportunity to present their AI solutions at the Morningstar Investment Conference UK, taking place on 7 May 2025.
As generative artificial intelligence continues to reshape the financial landscape, wealth and financial advice firms face growing pressure to integrate AI effectively. Yet challenges remain around access to high-quality data, rigorous evaluation frameworks, and seamless integration with existing systems. The Tech Sprint has been designed to address these barriers while accelerating innovation in the sector.
This year’s sprint poses a central question to participating FinTechs: how can AI be used to enhance operational efficiency by streamlining processes across front, middle, and back-office functions in wealth and financial advice firms?
Participants are encouraged to explore several high-impact use cases. These include AI-powered onboarding and KYC checks that automate identity verification and fraud detection, improved compliance through automated suitability reviews, hyper-personalised client reporting, and even the automation of entire software development cycles.
To support their development, FinTechs taking part will receive access to Morningstar’s Intelligence Engine. This advanced platform enables the end-to-end development of generative AI applications, offering a robust suite of evaluation metrics, integration tools, and direct access to Morningstar’s vast data sets. External data sources can also be added through API and direct storage connections.
PIMFA WealthTech outgoing chair and Evelyn Partners group chief operations officer Mayank Prakash said, “PIMFA WealthTech was created to be at the forefront of innovative thinking around tech solutions that can open up substantial opportunity for our industry. As Chair of the advisory council, I can think of no better example of this than the Tech Sprint we are launching today on AI.
“AI is undoubtably not only a major change moment in the wealth and advice space, but globally as well, impacting all of our lives. This sprint will give fintechs the opportunity to leverage Morningstar’s specialist data and analytics to delve into use cases, exploring opportunities for innovation that could bring meaningful improvements to the client journey by increasing adviser productivity and reducing end-to-end costs. I greatly look forward to seeing the entries to this Tech Sprint and sharing these fascinating insights with the wider community”.
NatWest and OpenAI join forces to transform banking with cutting-edge AI
NatWest and OpenAI have entered into a partnership aimed at driving substantial transformations within NatWest through advanced AI technologies.
NatWest, known for its comprehensive banking services, seeks to enhance its operational efficiency and customer service through this strategic collaboration. OpenAI, acclaimed for its groundbreaking work in generative AI, brings a wealth of technological expertise and innovative solutions to the table.
The primary motivation behind this collaboration is to streamline and simplify banking processes at NatWest, enhancing customer service across all its divisions. By integrating OpenAI’s advanced AI tools, NatWest aims to meet customer needs more swiftly and effectively, ensuring a seamless banking experience.
NatWest has been at the forefront of incorporating AI in banking, with successful tools like Cora+ and AskArchie+ enhancing customer interactions. OpenAI excels in creating powerful AI solutions that can transform industries. This partnership will focus on further developing digital assistant services to support complex customer tasks such as fraud identification and financial management.
The collaboration also promises to bring new advancements in AI that could revolutionize how NatWest supports its retail, commercial, and wealth management customers. For instance, the partnership aims to refine tools for fraud prevention and improve complaint handling, significantly boosting productivity and customer satisfaction.
Scott Marcar, Chief Information Officer at NatWest Group, emphasized the bank’s commitment to simplification and innovation. “With the needs of customers evolving at an extraordinary pace, it’s our role to be a trusted partner and meet their expectations faster and more effectively than ever before,” he said.
Angela Byrne, CEO of Retail Banking at NatWest Group, also highlighted the digital transformation, “Around 80% of our retail customers bank with us entirely digitally, which is why continually innovating to deliver the best digital experience possible is a non-negotiable,” she stated. The partnership with OpenAI is set to enhance these digital interactions further and provide superior protection against fraud and financial crime.
Giancarlo Lionetti, Chief Commercial Officer at OpenAI, commented on the collaboration, “This wide-scale collaboration with NatWest underscores its commitment to deliver industry-leading digital banking experiences. The first wave of activities will deliver tangible benefits to both NatWest’s customers and employees, while our ongoing work together paves the way for future AI banking innovations.”
With approximately 275 AI projects under exploration and around 25 use cases already in production, the collaboration has significantly improved customer satisfaction and operational efficiency within NatWest, showcasing the powerful impact of GenAI in banking.
Kennedys IQ launches InsurTech’s first neuro-symbolic AI solution for global insurance market
Kennedys IQ, the client-facing technology division of global law firm Kennedys, has introduced SmartRisk, the first fully explainable neuro-symbolic AI risk analysis solution for the insurance sector.
This latest addition to its data-driven IQ Platform aims to revolutionise policy review, liability, and coverage analysis by enhancing decision-making speed, accuracy, and consistency.
The launch of SmartRisk comes in response to increasing industry demand for AI-driven automation in risk analysis and underwriting.
Insurers face ongoing challenges with complex policy wording, inconsistent claims handling, and human error. Many current AI solutions, including generative AI chatbots, lack auditability, making them unsuitable for risk assessment. Kennedys IQ developed SmartRisk to bridge this gap by ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance.
Kennedys IQ provides data-powered technology solutions for insurers, brokers, and claims professionals worldwide.
Leveraging a combination of legal expertise and advanced AI, the company develops tools that streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and improve operational efficiency across the global insurance market.
SmartRisk differentiates itself by combining Large Language Models (LLMs) with insurance-specific knowledge, modelled using Evidential Reasoning (ER) and Belief Rule Base (BRB) methodologies. Unlike traditional generative AI, which relies purely on probabilistic outputs, SmartRisk offers a structured, fully auditable decision-making framework. This approach mitigates concerns around AI’s ‘black-box’ opacity while ensuring reliable and explainable results. The solution does not require extensive upfront data and can integrate seamlessly with insurers’ existing systems within weeks.
Designed for claims professionals, brokers, and underwriters across global insurance markets—including the London Market, specialty and general insurance in the UK, Europe, North America, LATAM, and APAC—SmartRisk enables insurers to automate risk assessments, enhance claims governance, extract critical data from complex documents (including handwritten notes), and reduce inconsistencies in decision-making.
SmartRisk has been developed by Kennedys IQ’s R&D team in collaboration with the University of Manchester and legal experts from Kennedys across multiple jurisdictions. This collaboration has helped create an AI model that effectively combines rule-based logic, deep reasoning, and explainable machine intelligence, making it well-suited for insurance applications requiring high levels of precision and transparency.
Initial pilots of SmartRisk have received positive feedback from leading insurers, with users highlighting the tool’s ability to reduce errors, eliminate inconsistencies in professional judgement, and significantly enhance operational efficiency.
Kennedys IQ chief product officer Karim Derrick said, “SmartRisk is built for the industry, by the industry. This is not just AI for the sake of AI – it’s about giving insurers real, explainable insights that reduce risk and improve efficiency.”
Derrick added, “There is a growing demand for AI-driven automation in insurance, particularly within specialty and complex risk underwriting. Policy wording analysis and claims handling are complex, inconsistent, and prone to human error, and GenAI chatbots today lack auditability, making them unsuitable for insurance risk assessment.
“Our interest is helping clients identify, manage and mitigate risk through the SmartRisk tool which can fill this gap to ensure transparency in decision making and regulatory compliance. In doing so, it eliminates the ‘black box’ concern around other AI models, while improving efficiency, minimising human error and providing insurers and brokers with deeper data-driven insights. Kennedys IQ’s SmartRisk frees up insurance professionals to focus on high-value decision-making while maintaining full control over risk analysis.”
Kennedys partner Neil Mody added, “The SmartRisk U.S. model is designed to help insurance adjusters navigate complex regulatory frameworks, including New York Insurance Law 3420. By mirroring the proprietary coverage evaluation process honed by seasoned professionals over decades, SmartRisk enables adjusters to reliably pinpoint key coverage issues, and make well-informed decisions. SmartRisk empowers adjusters by streamlining claim reviews while reducing high-frequency, high-risk human errors that cost insurance companies millions annually.”
Kennedys partner Richard West, head of client innovation and director of Kennedys IQ, said, “SmartRisk is devastatingly trustworthy and our proprietary response to the AI revolution. Built on our deep professional insights, it seamlessly integrates specialist judgement with cutting-edge technology. It is transparent, explicable, and designed to protect our clients’ and their customers’ reputations. We encapsulate professional integrity at the heart of Kennedys IQ SmartRisk.”
Crossmint secures $23.6m to simplify blockchain for businesses and AI agents
Crossmint, an all-in-one blockchain platform for businesses, has secured $23.6m in a funding round led by Ribbit Capital.
Other investors include Franklin Templeton, Nyca, First Round, and Lightspeed Faction. The investment follows a year of rapid growth, with Crossmint’s subscription revenue surging by 1,100% in 2024.
The company provides businesses with tools to develop blockchain applications using minimal code. Its platform enables companies to integrate wallets, tokenization, payments, and onramps without requiring blockchain expertise or digital asset holdings.
Consumers can engage with blockchain-based services using traditional methods like Face ID and email sign-ups while avoiding gas fees and other technical barriers.
Over 40,000 companies and developers, including global brands like Adidas and Red Bull, already use the platform. Businesses across various sectors are leveraging Crossmint to integrate stablecoins, enhance supply chain transparency, and develop interoperable rewards programmes. Additionally, startups are using the platform to accelerate the creation of blockchain applications.
Crossmint co-founder Alfonso Gomez-Jordana said, “AI agents are reshaping commerce. Soon, they will autonomously manage tasks like grocery shopping or personal styling. Traditional payment systems weren’t designed for AI agents—but blockchain is. Crossmint is building the infrastructure to support this next evolution.”
Ribbit Capital partner Zack Rosen highlighted Crossmint’s impact, stating, “Crossmint has demonstrated its ability to unlock new revenue streams and drive cost efficiencies for major brands while building the financial infrastructure for the next generation of AI-powered applications. We are excited to support Crossmint as they continue enabling enterprises and developers to innovate onchain.”
Nexi enhances contactless payments with Tap to Pay on iPhone in Switzerland and Finland
Nexi, a leading European PayTech, has expanded its Tap to Pay on iPhone functionality to merchants in Switzerland and Finland.
The company, which specialises in digital payment solutions, previously introduced the service in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Sweden, according to FF News.
The expansion aims to provide merchants with a seamless and secure method to accept in-person contactless payments.
By eliminating the need for additional hardware or payment terminals, Nexi is making digital transactions more accessible to businesses of all sizes, especially small merchants.
Nexi offers a range of digital payment solutions across Europe, providing businesses with secure and efficient transaction methods.
With a focus on innovation, the company continues to enhance payment experiences through its SoftPOS technology and mobile-based solutions.
Tap to Pay on iPhone enables merchants to accept various forms of contactless payments, including credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets, using only an iPhone. The functionality is integrated into the Nexi SoftPOS feature within the MyPayments app, offering a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional payment terminals.
The service is particularly beneficial for small businesses, such as takeaways, taxis, and independent service providers, where mobility and ease of use are essential. With real-time transaction management and digital receipt options, Nexi’s SoftPOS solution provides enhanced flexibility for merchants.
Nexi has confirmed plans to continue expanding the availability of Tap to Pay on iPhone to more customers across Europe. The company is committed to driving digital payment adoption and increasing accessibility for businesses in various markets.
Suvi Ruoppa, country general manager of Nets Finland, part of Nexi Group, said, “The activation of Nexi SoftPOS on iPhone in Finland and Switzerland enables more merchants to offer customers enhanced flexibility and choice at the point of sale. This creates an easier and more convenient shopping experience for consumers, creating additional revenue opportunities for businesses of all sizes.”
David Emmanuel Gebhardt, country general manager of Nexi Switzerland, said, “With Nexi SoftPOS on iPhone, we are providing a simple and cost-effective payment solution for small businesses in Switzerland—especially for those who have not accepted card payments before. This is particularly beneficial for merchants such as take-aways, taxis, and independent service providers, where mobility and ease of use is key. By eliminating the need for additional hardware, we are making it easier than ever for merchants to accept contactless payments.”
EquiLend boosts securities finance technology with BNY investment
EquiLend has secured a minority investment from an affiliate of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY).
This investment underscores BNY’s commitment to EquiLend’s mission and its innovative technological solutions.
BNY, along with eight other significant financial institutions, has invested in EquiLend to support the firm’s push for greater innovation and efficiency across the securities finance sector. This group of investors will also advise on the development of EquiLend’s solutions, ensuring that the company continues to meet the evolving needs of the industry.
At the core of what EquiLend does is its development of cutting-edge platforms designed to streamline operations and reduce inefficiencies within the securities finance market. A highlight of this innovation is the 1Source solution, a platform set to revolutionise the industry by providing a single source of truth for securities finance transactions through smart contracts on a distributed ledger (DLT).
The funds from this investment will be used to advance the development of 1Source and other projects aimed at enhancing transparency and setting new operational standards across the global market. By leveraging smart technology and DLT, EquiLend is positioned to lead a transformation in market infrastructure, focusing on efficiency and transparency.
Additional information about this partnership includes BNY’s new role among the initial users of the 1Source platform. This involvement highlights BNY’s active participation and support for EquiLend’s long-term strategic innovations.
“BNY has been a strong partner of EquiLend’s since shortly after the company’s founding over 20 years ago. This investment brings added advisory leaders and underscores the commitment to our products and transformative potential of our long-term strategy,” EquiLend CEO Rich Grossi said.
Head of Securities Finance at BNY, Nehal Udeshi, added, “This investment reflects our confidence in EquiLend’s ability to tackle the industry’s biggest challenges with innovative solutions that drive greater efficiency. We are confident in EquiLend’s central role in the marketplace and plans to further redefine securities finance with innovative market infrastructure.”
Digital wallet firm Curve secures £37m to accelerate growth and launch Curve Pay
Curve, a digital wallet provider known for its innovative approach to payment management, has raised £37m in a funding round led by Hanaco Ventures.
Existing investors, including Fuel Ventures, IDC, Outward VC, and Lord Stanley Fink, also participated in the round.
The fresh capital injection is set to support Curve’s strategic growth, with a strong emphasis on achieving profitability and launching new products in 2025. Among its key developments, the company is preparing to introduce Curve Pay, a digital wallet alternative for both Android and iOS users. The investment will also bolster Curve’s market expansion, infrastructure improvements, and customer experience enhancements.
Curve offers a digital wallet solution that consolidates multiple payment cards into a single platform, allowing users to manage their spending more efficiently. The wallet integrates features such as cashback rewards, real-time spending insights, and fee-free foreign transactions. Additionally, its unique ‘Go Back in Time®’ function enables customers to move past transactions between cards, aiding in cash flow management.
Curve founder and CEO Shachar Bialick said, “This latest investment reflects the confidence in Curve’s vision to redefine the digital wallet space. The Wallet Wars are here, and the only available solutions for customers to date are simple wallets which do nothing more than let you pay with your card.
“Curve is the only wallet that adds superpowers to your money; avoid Fx fees from any linked card, split old purchases into installments, earn cashback on top of any card and more. We see issuers looking to enter the market, and networks introducing innovative products such as Visa Flex and MasterCard One Credentials. This investment would allow us to invest further in our customer experience, bring new partnerships, and accelerate our path to profitability.”
Tomer Jacob of Hanaco Ventures praised Curve’s innovation, stating, “Curve reimagined the digital wallet delivering a one-of-a-kind financial experience that simplifies and supercharges how you pay and manage your money – all without changing your bank. The Curve team has proven to be resilient and innovative, and we are excited to support Curve as it continues to grow, bringing more choice and flexibility to the digital wallet market, and to its millions of users.”