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Sokin lands $15m from BlackRock to fuel global expansion
UK-based payments firm Sokin, which provides international payment solutions for businesses, has secured $15m in debt funding from funds and accounts managed by BlackRock.
This investment follows a $31m strategic investment from Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital.
Sokin has experienced substantial growth in recent months, including a 51% increase in new account openings since the Morgan Stanley investment in July. The company has also expanded its workforce by 130% and recently acquired Norwegian FinTech Settle Group AS, gaining a European EMI license to further its expansion in the region.
The fresh capital will allow Sokin to expand its market presence, develop new products, and scale its team significantly. The company plans to open new offices in London, New York, Toronto, and Dubai, strengthening its global footprint.
Sokin has garnered support from several high-profile investors, including Gary Marino, former chief commercial officer at PayPal, Mark Britto, former chief product officer at PayPal, and Aurum Partners, the investment fund linked to the owners of the San Francisco 49ers. Additionally, former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is among its backers.
Founded in 2019, Sokin aims to remove the barriers associated with international payments. The company enables businesses to transfer, hold, and exchange over 100 currencies through its multi-currency IBAN and local currency accounts, offering a streamlined solution for managing global transactions.
Sokin is currently operating at a transactional volume run-rate of over $4.5bn annually and supports a variety of industries, including freight, logistics, and Premier League football clubs, helping them manage global payments with efficiency and transparency.
Sokin CEO & Founder Vroon Modgill said, “We’re on a mission to make a major impact and become the go-to partner for businesses taking on the global stage. This backing from BlackRock serves as a testament to the strength of our proposition, and the rate in which we’ve managed to onboard new business customers. With this funding, we’ll further elevate our product offering, expand our international team, and break into new, untapped markets.”
Tim Fenwick, director at BlackRock Growth Debt, said, “Sokin has developed a unique and compelling proposition that helps solve major challenges facing international businesses. We are glad to support Sokin’s rapid growth trajectory and welcome them to our diverse portfolio of high-growth companies.”
WiseLayer raises $7.2m to enhance AI-powered finance automation
WiseLayer, a New York-based AI FinTech company specialising in digital workers for finance and accounting teams, has raised $7.2m in funding.
The investment round was led by Canaan Partners, with participation from K5 Global, The Fintech Fund, Unpopular Ventures, and several industry angels.
WiseLayer develops AI-powered digital agents designed to automate complex, manual processes within finance and accounting teams. The company’s suite of AI workers includes Angela, an AI agent for accruals and revenue recognition, and Dennis, an AI agent for discrepancies and financial anomalies.
Additional AI agents are being developed to handle bank reconciliations, fixed asset depreciation, lease accounting, and prepaid expenses. More than 100 companies, including mid-sized firms and public corporations, currently use WiseLayer’s AI workforce.
The fresh funding will be used to enhance WiseLayer’s existing AI agents, introduce new automation capabilities, and expand its market presence.
Brendan Dickinson, general partner at Canaan Partners, said, “The exceptional early traction that WiseLayer has achieved with its many large customers, each of whom love their product, demonstrates a clear market need.
“We’re thrilled to support WiseLayer’s next phase of growth as they enhance their AI-powered digital workforce for finance and accounting teams.”
Josh Stein, CEO and co-founder of WiseLayer, added, “Finance & accounting teams have some of the most brilliant people at any company, yet their brainpower is often spent on recurring administrative and compliance tasks like accruals, rev rec, and more.
“WiseLayer’s mission is to build AI agents to automate these repetitive, laborious processes with precision, so that these highly-skilled people can focus on strategic financial initiatives that drive company growth.”
Allra FinTech raises $9.1m Series B to expand early payment services
Korean FinTech company Allra FinTech, which operates the early payment service “Allra,” has raised $9.1m in its Series B funding round.
The investment was led by KB Kookmin Card, which contributed $6.8m, making it Allra FinTech’s second-largest shareholder, according to a report from WowTale. Singapore-based Altara Ventures and Vietnam-based Do Ventures jointly invested $2.3m in the round.
Allra FinTech’s flagship service, Allra Early Payment, is designed to alleviate settlement delays faced by sellers on online marketplaces. Since its inception, the platform has processed over $3bn in cumulative settlements, cementing its position as a leader in the early payment sector.
With the new funding, Allra FinTech plans to expand its team and hire talent to support the growth of the business.
Kim Sang-soo, CEO of Allra FinTech, said, “Over the past four years, we have focused on maintaining the strengths of our ultra-simple early payment service. Even during the Timon-Wemakeprice crisis, we upheld our responsibility as a receivables transferee by refraining from demanding repayment from sellers. This commitment has earned us recognition as a reliable service in the industry, and we are truly grateful for this trust.
“With the Series B funding, we aim to expand into traditional wholesale and retail distribution markets, postpaid service markets, and global services starting in 2025. Our mission remains clear: to become a fintech company that solves the financial challenges of business owners everywhere.”
Clean energy FinTech CapeZero secures $2.6m to transform project financing
CapeZero, a software platform aimed at simplifying financial workflows for clean energy developers, has secured $2.6m in a seed funding round.
The investment was led by Powerhouse Ventures, with participation from Climactic, Avesta Fund, Virta Ventures, and Stepchange.
The funding will enable CapeZero to accelerate the development and expansion of its platform, which aims to streamline and standardise the complex processes involved in securing tax equity and project financing.
CapeZero provides clean energy developers with an innovative solution that reduces the time spent on financial modelling from months to minutes. The platform offers real-time scenario analysis and standardised analytics, allowing project finance teams to operate 50-75% faster.
With the new investment, the company plans to enhance its core platform features and expand its market presence.
CapeZero was founded in 2023 by a team of experts with extensive experience in renewable energy finance and technology. CEO Manish Hebbar brings 15 years of experience in renewable energy and tax credit finance, having closed over 60 clean energy deals amounting to 11 gigawatts of capacity. CTO Sumit Chachra adds significant product and technology leadership experience, having previously served as a global CTO and successful entrepreneur. The team has collectively structured and advised on over $16bn in renewable energy capital deployment.
Speaking about the funding, CapeZero CEO and co-founder Manish Hebbar said, “The renewable energy industry is at a pivotal moment with unprecedented growth opportunities and challenges, and the complexity of tax equity and project financing remains a significant barrier to scaling clean energy deployment. Customers on our platform turn that complexity into a competitive advantage when seeking project finance investment.
“With this funding, we’re building the technology infrastructure they need to streamline these critical financial processes. Our platform enables companies to spend less time troubleshooting spreadsheets and more time focusing on the projects that drive us closer to achieving net-zero emissions.”
Powerhouse Ventures managing partner Emily Kirsch highlighted the importance of CapeZero’s solution, stating, “As we enter the Terawatt Era of renewable energy deployment, the industry urgently needs solutions that can scale with its growth.
“CapeZero’s platform represents a critical step forward in democratizing access to tax equity financing, making it more efficient and accessible for companies of all sizes. With investments in renewable generation and storage expected to grow from $60B to $150B annually by 2030, CapeZero’s solution has the potential to significantly accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects across the United States and beyond.”
WiseAlpha launches UK’s first high-yield corporate bond ISA for retail investors
WiseAlpha has introduced the UK’s first-ever dedicated High-Yield Corporate Bond Innovative Finance ISA (IF ISA), providing retail investors with unprecedented access to corporate bonds.
This move allows individuals to invest in high-yield corporate bonds within a tax-efficient ISA framework, a market previously exclusive to institutional investors.
The corporate bond market has historically been inaccessible to retail investors due to minimum trade sizes of £100,000. WiseAlpha’s launch removes this barrier, enabling investors to build diversified corporate bond portfolios without the hefty entry cost. This innovation marks a significant milestone in the UK investment landscape.
Sterling corporate bonds offer coupons ranging from 5% to 12%, presenting an attractive alternative to traditional savings accounts and government bonds. WiseAlpha’s High-Yield Corporate Bond ISA allows retail investors to enjoy these returns tax-free, exempting them from capital gains and income tax.
WiseAlpha CEO Rezaah Ahmad said, “This is a watershed moment for the UK investment market. For the first time, investors can access an entire asset class that was previously reserved for institutions. Our High-Yield Corporate Bond ISA represents a leap forward in our mission to democratize finance.”
The new product offers an alternative for equity investors concerned about market valuations. For instance, those holding Ocado equities can diversify by investing in Ocado’s 10.5% bonds via the WiseAlpha ISA. Similarly, investors in peer-to-peer SME lending platforms can shift to corporate bonds issued by larger FTSE-sized companies, offering higher credit quality and competitive yields.
UK investors can allocate up to £20,000 for the 2024/25 tax year across Cash ISAs, Stocks & Shares ISAs, and Innovative Finance ISAs. WiseAlpha also facilitates ISA transfers, providing flexibility for existing holders. Investments within an ISA enjoy full tax exemption, allowing for maximum returns. A 10.5% bond yield within an ISA remains untouched by taxes, compared to a potential 45% tax rate outside the ISA for higher earners.
Rezaah Ahmad added, “With the launch of our High-Yield Corporate Bond ISA, we’re empowering everyday investors to achieve higher tax-free income. This new product aligns with our vision of opening up the financial world to smaller investors and giving them the tools they need to succeed.”
Netradyne Raises $90 Million in Series D Funding Led by Point72 Private Investments
Netradyne, an industry-leading SaaS provider of artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing, announced the close of a $90 million Series D round led by Point72 Private Investments with participation from Qualcomm Ventures and Pavilion Capital. The capital infusion will accelerate the company’s growth trajectory through strategic investment in R&D, enhanced go-to-market investments, and aggressive global expansion, solidifying Netradyne as a global industry leader in commercial fleet technology.
The traditional approach to driver performance and fleet safety is obsolete. Netradyne is pioneering a new era of driver-focused technology backed by over 18 billion vision-analyzed driving miles. Netradyne’s Driver•i is the only solution that can positively recognize good driving behavior. By reinforcing good driving behavior with revolutionary technology, fleets experience reduced accidents, improved driver retention, lower insurance costs, improved tracking and productivity, and better fleet performance.
“The successful completion of our Series D funding round is a significant milestone for Netradyne and a testament to the confidence our investors have in our vision and innovative approach to AI-powered fleet safety solutions,” said Avneesh Agrawal, CEO and Co-Founder at Netradyne. “This funding provides us with the resources to accelerate growth, expand our technology capabilities, and deliver even greater value to our customers worldwide. With this support, we are poised to scale our innovations globally, deepen our impact, and continue advancing safety and efficiency across the transportation industry, redefining what’s possible for fleets and communities alike.”
“Investing in Netradyne is about believing in safer roads and supporting professional drivers,” said Sri Chandrasekar, Managing Partner at Point72 Private Investments. “Since our initial investment in 2018, we’ve witnessed Netradyne’s impressive growth and believe their technology is well-positioned not only to empower fleet managers but also to foster a culture of safe driving. We are excited to continue our partnership with Avneesh and the Netradyne team as they advance their mission to transform the global transportation industry.”
Netradyne’s solutions offer a comprehensive and accurate driver performance assessment by analyzing 100% of drive-time data. Powered by advanced AI, Driver•i delivers unparalleled accuracy in identifying both positive and negative driving behaviors, fostering trust and enabling effective in-cab coaching. In addition to promoting safer driving, these capabilities help fleets shield drivers from false claims, minimize collisions and insurance costs, optimize productivity, and simplify compliance management.
This funding comes on the heels of exciting growth. Since its founding in 2015, Netradyne now reaches over 3,000 customers and over 450,000 active subscribers, serving customers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and India, with planned expansion throughout Europe and Japan. Netradyne’s customers include some of the biggest names in global online retail, food and beverage, oil and gas, transportation, utilities, field services, passenger transit, and construction.
Archive Intel raises $1.5m to expand AI-driven compliance solutions
Archive Intel, a leader in AI-powered compliance archiving solutions, has secured an additional $1.5m in funding to accelerate its growth.
The funding round was led by Garuda Ventures, a San Francisco-based investment firm focused on early-stage companies, with participation from existing investor Social Leverage.
Archive Intel offers a cutting-edge compliance platform designed to help financial advisors and institutions meet regulatory requirements effortlessly. The platform uses AI to simplify workflows, reduce false positives, and support a wide array of communication channels, including email, chat platforms, social media, and messaging apps.
The company plans to use the funding to expand integrations, scale its infrastructure, and drive further innovation across its platform.
Archive Intel has experienced rapid growth, surpassing 220 clients and 2,000 users within just six months of launching in 2024.
Rishi Taparia, co-founder and general partner at Garuda Ventures, said, “Archive Intel’s innovative platform and leadership team are well-positioned to shape the future of communication compliance. We are excited to partner with Archive Intel as they redefine how financial institutions meet regulatory requirements.”
Howard Lindzon, founder and managing partner of Social Leverage, added, “Archive Intel has proven its ability to address critical industry pain points with scalable, cutting-edge solutions. We’re proud to continue supporting their growth.”
Archive Intel CEO Larry Shumbres expressed his enthusiasm for the funding, stating, “Our mission has always been to make compliance seamless, efficient, and future-ready. This additional funding validates our approach and enables us to continue delivering innovative solutions that empower our clients to stay ahead of regulatory challenges.”
Brex secures $235m credit facility to fuel growth of corporate card solutions
Brex, a leading corporate card and spend management platform, has closed a $235m revolving credit facility to bolster its product growth and scale its card solutions.
The two-year credit facility was led by Citi as the senior lender, with TPG Angelo Gordon participating as a supporting lender.
This latest funding initiative is expected to further accelerate Brex’s growth trajectory. The company plans to utilise the credit facility alongside its existing warehouse facilities and master securitisation trust. To date, Brex has completed three securitisation issuances.
Commenting on the announcement, Ben Gammell, chief financial officer at Brex, said, “This transaction highlights the continued momentum of Brex’s card offering and our entire product suite.
“Our capital position remains exceptionally strong, and this credit facility, which follows our largest and most robust securitization to date, allows us to further scale our card solution and empower our customers in making every dollar count.”
Aaron Ong, head of private asset-based credit at TPG Angelo Gordon, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, adding, “We are thrilled to provide capital support to Brex in its pursuit to offer modern spend management solutions for businesses of all sizes. xThis partnership demonstrates how TPG Angelo Gordon customizes capital solutions to meet the needs of our borrowers, and we are pleased to be part of Brex’s incredible story.”
Founded in 2017, Brex has established itself as a comprehensive financial platform that integrates corporate cards, expense management, banking, bill pay, and travel solutions.
The platform is used by over 30,000 companies, including major names such as DoorDash, Flexport, and Compass. Handling tens of billions of dollars in transactions annually across 120 countries, Brex continues to innovate to help businesses optimise their financial operations.
CredCore raises $16m to accelerate AI-driven credit investing and management
AI-powered credit investment platform CredCore, which specialises in transforming debt capital markets for lenders and borrowers, has secured $16m in a Series A funding round.
The round was led by Avataar Ventures, with additional backing from Inspired Capital, Fitch Group, BellTower Partners, and senior executives from asset management and financial services.
CredCore is tackling inefficiencies in the enterprise credit sector, which sees $5trn in transactions annually but has been slow to adopt technological innovation.
The company’s AI-driven platform enhances deal execution by enabling customers to accelerate transactions and scale their teams and assets under management (AUM). The platform has gained significant traction, already supporting major asset managers and corporations in the US, overseeing over $650bn in AUM.
The company’s suite of solutions covers the entire debt deal lifecycle, from pre-deal evaluation to post-deal management. Its Agentic platform uses AI to analyse, summarise, and extract insights from deal-related documents in a matter of hours, significantly reducing the time required for capital deployment.
CredCore co-founder Saumil Annegiri said, “Marrying credit and technology has historically been insurmountable. The industry is fragmented, complex, and specialized, with data that is often unavailable and inconsistent. At CredCore, we are solving this with proprietary AI models trained on $5 trillion worth of data.
“However, technology is just a part of the solution. Expert oversight remains indispensable to ensure precision and trust. This is where we differentiate ourselves with domain-specialists-in-the-loop.”
CredCore co-founder Karthik Nandyal added, “In terms of technology adoption, enterprise credit today parallels where equities were 30 years ago but credit markets are significantly larger.
“With decades of industry experience, we built CredCore on a foundation of advanced AI research and innovative business processes to transform credit markets through technology. AI advancements like self-deployed models and more efficient architectures are enabling greater automation and enhanced data privacy, which is why we are able to guarantee outcomes for our customers.”
TMX VettaFi expands fixed income indexing with Credit Suisse bond indices acquisition
TMX VettaFi has acquired Credit Suisse’s Bond Indices from UBS, further strengthening its fixed income index capabilities.
TMX VettaFi president Tom Hendrickson said, “We are excited to announce another significant step forward in our index expansion strategy, designed to strengthen our fixed income indexing capabilities, and broaden the services we provide to a growing international network of clients and partners.
“We see tremendous opportunity for indexing across the fixed income asset class – especially with the growth of bond ETFs – and we look forward to partnering with even more asset managers to unlock new bond ETF innovation.”
The acquired bond index franchise covers key areas such as government bonds, credit instruments, and emerging markets bonds. Additionally, it includes advanced tools and analytics to support the creation of custom fixed income solutions.
This marks TMX VettaFi’s fourth major acquisition in the past 18 months. The firm previously acquired iNDEX Research in October 2024, adding a provider with $10bn in linked assets across equity and fixed income strategies. Other recent acquisitions include the ROBO Global Index Suite in April 2023 and EQM Indexes in September 2023.
Brian Coco, head of index product at TMX VettaFi, said, “Today fixed income represents approximately 20% of the ETF market, yet the total global bond market is $140 trillion, compared to the $115 trillion global equity market. With even stronger fixed income indexing capabilities, VettaFi can truly provide outcome-oriented solutions to our clients across asset classes, as well as more precision exposures within fixed income.”
Following the acquisition, TMX VettaFi now manages over 700 indexes, with $53bn in assets passively tracking these indices and $41bn in benchmarked assets. Its team leverages cloud-based technology to deliver research, index design, calculation, dissemination, and management services to over 250 clients worldwide.
MENA InsureLab secures backing from TIC to boost InsurTech innovation
MENA InsureLab, an InsurTech accelerator and venture builder, has secured strategic backing from TIC Technology Innovation Capital, a US-based venture capital firm.
The investment comes from TIC’s $100m fund, which focuses on supporting early-stage technology companies. The firm employs a unique investment model, providing both financial backing and software development services in exchange for equity.
MENA InsureLab was founded to drive digital transformation in the insurance industry by fostering partnerships between established insurers and emerging startups. The accelerator aims to connect insurance firms with cutting-edge technological solutions, facilitating their adoption and integration.
With the fresh backing from TIC, MENA InsureLab intends to expand its operations, offering more funding opportunities, mentorship programmes, and market access for InsurTech ventures across the MENA region.
Aicha Ghaffari, managing director at MENA InsureLab, said, “TIC’s support solidifies our commitment to building a thriving ecosystem where insurance companies and insurtechs can co-create solutions tailored to the evolving needs of customers. This partnership allows us to drive impactful innovation and accelerate digital transformation in the region.”
TIC founder Ike Syed also expressed enthusiasm about the investment, stating, “Our investment in MENA InsureLab aligns with our mission to empower technology-driven entrepreneurship and reshape industries. We believe the InsurTech sector in MENA holds immense potential, and we are excited to support MENA InsureLab in driving meaningful innovation.”
SafelyYou raises $43m to expand AI-driven solutions for senior living
SafelyYou has secured $43m in a Series C funding round led by Touring Capital, bringing the firm’s total capital raised to over $100m.
With this tranche, SafelyYou plans to expand its technology offerings to address growing challenges in senior care, including increasing resident acuity, staffing shortages, and care accuracy, according to the Coverager.
The company has introduced two additional solutions—SafelyYou Clarity, an automated care tracking system, and SafelyYou Aware, which uses data-driven insights to predict residents’ care needs.
The company’s client base includes leading senior living providers such as StoryPoint Senior Living, Benchmark Senior Living, Midwest Health, and Senior Star.
SafelyYou founder and CEO George Netscher said, “We’re so grateful for this funding at a critical juncture in care delivery for senior living, when SafelyYou’s solutions are more important than ever. I started this company to help my mom and to help so many families like ours who have a loved one living with dementia. And we’ve grown to provide broader care support in senior living. Now, at a time when resident acuity is increasing, care demands are greater, and staffing continues to be a crisis, we’ll be able to empower operators to predict care needs with unmatched speed and accuracy, revolutionising how senior care is provided.”
SaaScada partners with ARIE Finance to streamline cross-border payments
SaaScada has been chosen by ARIE Finance to support its international payments service for mid-sized B2B businesses.
SaaScada, a cloud-native core banking provider, will enable ARIE Finance to simplify cross-border transactions, particularly in Africa, where the company seeks to become the first B2B firm with a PSP licence in Mauritius.
ARIE Finance’s banking platform is designed to offer fast, secure, and personalised financial services, integrating multi-currency accounts, payments, and a global FinTech partner network. The company aims to streamline onboarding by tailoring its approach to each applicant’s needs, enabling account setup within days while maintaining stringent fraud and financial crime controls.
ARIE Finance founder and executive vice-chairman Stephen Margolis said, “With a thriving investment scene and high regulatory standards, Mauritius is fast becoming the ‘Singapore of the West’, acting as the central financial services hub for the African and Indian subcontinents. But international businesses often struggle to set up accounts in the region because of outdated systems and rigid onboarding processes. This is hampering innovation as many exciting businesses are excluded based on their size, location, or industry, without any effort made to understand their business.
“ARIE Finance is shaking up the industry and taking the pain out of opening international accounts. By coupling the features of a digital-first neobank like fast online setup with a dedicated team who can personally review applications, we will go beyond ‘Know Your Customer’ to ‘Understand your Customer’.”
SaaScada’s real-time data capabilities will provide ARIE Finance with instant insights into customer behaviour, while its cloud-native architecture allows the financial institution to rapidly develop and iterate new banking products.
SaaScada co-founder and CEO Nelson Wootton commented, “SaaScada is dedicated to making first-class banking products available to everyone, so we’re proud to work with ARIE Finance, helping underserved B2B businesses set up in growing markets. We love collaborative partners who want to grow with us, and we’re looking forward to working closely with ARIE Finance and Stephen Margolis in the coming months to bring even more banking services to mid-sized businesses operating in Africa and beyond.”
Hitachi Payment Services invests in Spydra to drive CBDC and Web 3.0 payment innovations
Hitachi Payment Services, an end-to-end payments and commerce solutions provider, has made a strategic minority investment in Spydra Technologies, a specialist in enterprise blockchain solutions.
The funding is being channelled through the Hitachi Payments Accelerator (HPX) Program, an initiative designed to support FinTech startups through investment and partnerships. By backing Spydra Technologies, Hitachi Payment Services aims to integrate blockchain-powered solutions into its payment infrastructure, improving transaction efficiency, security, and fraud prevention.
Spydra Technologies focuses on delivering scalable and secure blockchain solutions for businesses. The company specialises in real-world asset tokenisation and enables asset owners adn issuers to tokenise and manage assets on-chain, offering customisable solutions for equity, debt and hybrid financial products.
Its expertise in Web 3.0, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and blockchain-based digital payments aligns with Hitachi Payment Services’ vision of pioneering the next generation of financial technology solutions. The investment will facilitate the development of new blockchain-driven payment capabilities, particularly in cross-border transactions, real-time settlements, and financial inclusion initiatives.
Anuj Khosla, chief executive officer – digital business at Hitachi Payment Services, said, “At Hitachi Payment Services, we strive to introduce transformative technologies and solutions that enable superior payment experiences. Blockchain is the cornerstone of the next wave of financial innovation and our investment in Spydra reflects our commitment to advancing digital payment innovation.
“By leveraging Spydra’s blockchain and CBDC capabilities, we are well-positioned to develop secure and cutting-edge digital payment solutions that empower our customers to thrive in an evolving digital landscape. Through the HPX Program, we aim to collaborate with disruptors in the fintech and payments segment, driving the next phase of growth and innovation in digital payments.”
Manish Tewari, co-founder of Spydra Technologies, stated, “Our enterprise blockchain solutions are designed to offer scalability, security and efficiency across industries. By partnering with Hitachi Payment Services, we aim to bring innovative solutions that reshape the future of payments and commerce. As government and financial institutions in India move towards embracing blockchain-powered digital currencies and decentralized solutions, this collaboration is a significant step towards accelerating blockchain adoption in the payment sector.”
The HPX Program is set to support FinTech startups operating in various domains, including ERP/Billing, segmented payment solutions, embedded finance, issuance, payments compliance, banking-as-a-service, AI/Gen AI, core banking, and Web 3.0/CBDC technologies.
Klarna and JPMorgan Payments partner to expand BNPL services for merchants
Swedish BNPL giant Klarna has struck a new deal with JPMorgan Payments to see its flexible financing solutions integrated into JPMorgan Payments’ merchant services.
The partnership aims to broaden the accessibility of Klarna’s payment options, including its interest-free BNPL solution, according to Finextra.
This move is expected to provide merchants with a wider array of payment choices to enhance customer experience and drive sales.
Klarna, a leading BNPL provider, enables consumers to split purchases into instalments, often interest-free, while offering merchants tools to boost conversion rates and customer engagement. The company has rapidly expanded beyond BNPL, providing a comprehensive shopping ecosystem, including its own app and AI-powered personal finance management features.
JPMorgan Payments, a division of JPMorgan Chase, is one of the world’s largest payment processors, handling over $2tn in transactions annually.
The company provides end-to-end payment solutions, including acquiring, treasury services, and merchant processing, catering to businesses of all sizes.
As part of the deal, Klarna will also join the JPMorgan Payments Partner Network, which connects businesses with a suite of third-party payment solutions. This collaboration is expected to further accelerate Klarna’s expansion into new markets and merchant segments.
Klarna is reportedly preparing for an IPO in April, and this partnership with JPMorgan Payments could enhance its appeal to investors by demonstrating its continued growth and integration within mainstream financial infrastructure.
Klarna chief commercial officer David Sykes said, “By collaborating with JPMorgan Payments, we’re bringing our payment solutions to even more businesses and fast-tracking our ambition to make Klarna payments available everywhere, for everything.”
Simplifai launches Agentic AI to transform insurance automation
Simplifai, a leader in AI-driven automation, has launched Agentic AI designed to optimise critical processes such as claims handling, underwriting, and customer service.
The Norwegian firm has debuted the solution in response to the industry’s increasing demands.
Insurers are facing growing customer expectations, rising cost pressures, and complex regulatory requirements.
To help navigate these challenges, Simplifai has concentrated its expertise on developing AI-powered automation tools that enhance efficiency and compliance.
Since its inception, the company has evolved from a startup offering Digital Employees to a major player in AI-driven automation across Europe.
Over the years, it has expanded globally, collaborating with customers and partners to drive digital transformation and AI innovation.
Agentic AI is specifically built to support insurers by streamlining complex processes such as claims assessment, fraud detection, and policy management.
Unlike generic AI models, Simplifai’s AI Agents are tailored for the insurance sector, ensuring adaptability, security, and full compliance with industry regulations.
As part of the launch, Simplifai is introducing three pre-configured AI Agents designed for bodily injury, motor, and travel insurance. These AI-driven solutions accelerate claims intake, processing, and customer interactions, significantly boosting operational efficiency.
Alongside the product expansion, Simplifai has strengthened its leadership team. The company recently appointed Artem Gonchakov as CEO, Dr. Bikash Agrawal as CTO, Nils Slottet as Chief Solution Officer, Niels Zijderveld as Chief Revenue Officer, and Andreas Prøven Bogsrud as CFO. This leadership team brings extensive expertise in AI, insurance, technology, and finance, reinforcing Simplifai’s commitment to driving innovation in the sector.
Simplifai remains dedicated to its mission of simplifying and optimising insurance operations through cutting-edge AI solutions. By leveraging AI Agents, insurers can enhance decision-making, improve customer experience, and reduce costs—paving the way for a smarter, more efficient insurance industry.
“Simplifai is naturally transitioning to be an Agentic AI company. Every AI Agent we build has a purpose, and helps insurers resolve a specific problem they face on a daily basis: high cost of claims, low efficiency of operations, low margins, high customer expectations and of course employee productivity and satisfaction,” Simplifai CEO Artem Gonchakov said. “We recently added LLM to our toolbox of AI techniques, which enables us to solve even more difficult problems, like bodily injury, our latest addition to our fleet of AI Agents. I’m super excited to bring Simplifai to this new stage and I have the best team with me to support you on every stage of your AI journey.”