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Fintech Fortis targets Saudi Arabia’s SME sector

FinCrypt Staff

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Fintech Fortis targets Saudi Arabia's SME sector

Startup Wrap – Saudi SiFi closes $10 million round; MENA financing sees month-on-month growth of 413%.

CAIRO: Saudi Arabia-based fintech Simplified Financial Solutions Co. has closed a $10 million seed round led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, and RAED Ventures.

Other participants included anb seed, Rua Ventures, Byld and KBW Ventures, along with previous investors Khwarizmi Ventures, Seedra Ventures and Tech Invest Com.

Founded in 2021 by Ahmed Al-Hakbani, SiFi is a business-to-business spend management platform that offers intelligent business cards, real-time insights into business spending, and automated expense management workflows.

Al-Hakbani, CEO of SiFi, said: “We are thrilled to have closed this important round and to have secured the support of such important and strategic partners. This financing will allow us to further enhance our offering, deliver even greater value to our customers and consolidate our position as the go-to spend management solution in Saudi Arabia,”

He added: “Our goal is to enable stakeholders within businesses to make informed decisions at the right time, while providing finance teams with the tools they need to effectively enforce corporate spending policies. In this way, we aim to help companies decentralize spending, while improving control and stimulating growth.”

This funding will allow SiFi to enhance its offering and consolidate its position as the leading spend management solution in Saudi Arabia.

“What attracted us to SiFi was threefold: its exceptional team, compelling product offering and the largely underserved market in Saudi Arabia, as companies increasingly recognize the need for more efficient financial management tools. We look forward to supporting their next phase of growth and helping them seize future opportunities,” said a spokesperson for Sanabil Investments.

Investment in MENA startups will increase in May 2024

Investments in the Middle East and North Africa region saw a significant increase in May, with a total of 40 startups raising $282 million, a 413% increase from $55 million in April.

This growth was primarily driven by debt financing, which accounted for nearly $140 million of the total raised, according to Wamda’s monthly report.

Despite this monthly growth, year-over-year transaction value saw a notable decline of 58%, down from $445 million reported in May 2023 across 39 transactions.

UAE-based Property Finder led the investment with a $90 million debt round, followed by Huspy and Keyper who secured $37 million and $34 million respectively, the latter with $30 million debt financing.

UAE-based startups received the most investments, amassing $189 million across 23 transactions.

Saudi startups follow with $56 million in 10 deals, while Egyptian startups have secured $24.5 million in four deals, including OneOrder’s $16 million Series A round combining debt and equity.

The proptech sector was the most funded, raising $167.2 million in seven rounds. The fintech sector follows with 32.7 million dollars distributed across 12 startups. The logistics sector also saw significant funding, with $25.3 million secured by three startups.

The agritech sector has shown signs of recovery with $23 million raised in May, including $16 million for Iyris’ Series A round.

Software-as-a-service startups also saw a rebound, securing $27 million in three deals. The region’s venture capital space has emphasized later-stage rounds, with $59.3 million raised by five startups in the Series A stage and $44 million by four startups in the pre-Series A stage. The deals for the seed stage they topped the count with seven deals worth $11 million.

UAE’s GrubTech was the only startup to close a Series B round at $15 million, while Saudi Arabia’s SaaS startup Merit raised $12 million in a pre-Series B. Up to 42 million dollars were not disclosed regarding stage rounds, with seven startups not disclosing their stages.

Business-to-consumer startups accounted for 62% of the total funding, raising $174 million across 13 deals, while B2B startups raised nearly $100 million.

Male founders continued to dominate, securing 89% of total investments. However, there was an increase in deals involving startups co-founded by men and women, doubling to eight deals from last month and raising $28.6 million, while female-founded companies secured $800,000 dollars.

The venture capital space in the MENA region saw significant activity in May, with the launch of several new funds.

BIM Ventures and Japan’s SBI Holdings have introduced a $100 million fund, the UAE’s TVM Capital Healthcare has launched the $250 million Afiyah Fund LP and Riyad Capital has started 1957 Ventures. Saudi Venture Capital has committed $30 million to General Atlantic for investments in Saudi startups.

Bahrain’s Investcorp closed a $570 million Investcorp Technology Partners V fund, while Shorooq Partners together with Korea’s IMM Investment Global launched a $100 million fund.

Singapore-based Golden Gate Ventures announced a $100 million MENA fund, while Saudi Arabia-based HRtech Qsalary partnered with Itqan Capital for an $80 million investment fund.

In Egypt, Beltone and Microfinanza Italia have launched a $2.4 million project to support the startup scene and the $3 million Glint Fund II has also been introduced.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding participated in the $6 billion Series B round of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI, valuing the company at $24 billion.

UAE-based AI startup qeen.ai secures $2.2 million in pre-seed funding

UAE-based AI startup qeen.ai has successfully raised $2.2 million in a seed funding round led by Wamda Capital, with participation from various international and regional investors, including 10x Founders, Aditum, Dara Holdings, Jabbar Group, Phaze Ventures and Eureka 460.

Founded in 2023 by Dina Al-Samhan, Ahmad Khwileh and Morteza Ibrahimi, qeen.ai focuses on providing accessible and autonomous AI solutions tailored for e-commerce businesses.

“We are thrilled to support qeen.ai in its mission to revolutionize the e-commerce space in the MENA region,” said Fadi Ghandour, CEO of Wamda Capital and founder of logistics giant Aramex.

He added: “We believe that qeen.ai is well poised to achieve substantial growth and success, as it fills a crucial market need by providing businesses with accessible AI solutions that can significantly improve their revenue, thanks to the expertise of the founding team in AI and their deep understanding of the challenges of e-commerce.”

The newly acquired funds will be used to advance the company’s mission to simplify intelligent commerce by making AI solutions more accessible and easy to use for businesses of all sizes.

Fintech company Elevate secures $5 million in pre-Series A funding

London and Dubai-based fintech company Elevate has secured $5 million in a pre-Series A funding round.

Founded in 2021 by Khalid Keenan, Faris Keenan, and Youcef Oudjidane, Elevate offers debit cards for online spending and charges standard foreign currency exchange rates when sending money domestically. The company also allows users to transfer money to their local accounts for a flat fee.

Elevate aims to provide a financial solution to address common challenges faced by freelance professionals.

The platform facilitates simple payments from US and international employers and major freelance platforms such as Upwork, Maqsam, PayPal, Deel, and Toptal.

Elevate says it has attracted more than 150,000 users from Asia and North Africa. The newly raised funds will support the company’s expansion into the Middle East and Africa.

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We are the editorial team of FinCrypt, where seriousness meets clarity in cryptocurrency analysis. With a robust team of finance and blockchain technology experts, we are dedicated to meticulously exploring complex crypto markets with detailed assessments and an unbiased approach. Our mission is to democratize access to knowledge of emerging financial technologies, ensuring they are understandable and accessible to all. In every article on FinCrypt, we strive to provide content that not only educates, but also empowers our readers, facilitating their integration into the financial digital age.

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US Agencies Request Information on Bank-Fintech Dealings

FinCrypt Staff

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Summer Trading Network 2016

Federal banking regulators have issued a statement reminding banks of the potential risks associated with third-party arrangements to provide bank deposit products and services.

The agencies support responsible innovation and banks that engage in these arrangements in a safe and fair manner and in compliance with applicable law. While these arrangements may offer benefits, supervisory experience has identified a number of safety and soundness, compliance, and consumer concerns with the management of these arrangements. The statement details potential risks and provides examples of effective risk management practices for these arrangements. Additionally, the statement reminds banks of existing legal requirements, guidance, and related resources and provides insights that the agencies have gained through their oversight. The statement does not establish new supervisory expectations.

Separately, the agencies requested additional information on a broad range of arrangements between banks and fintechs, including for deposit, payment, and lending products and services. The agencies are seeking input on the nature and implications of arrangements between banks and fintechs and effective risk management practices.

The agencies are considering whether to take additional steps to ensure that banks effectively manage the risks associated with these different types of arrangements.

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What changes in financial regulation have impacted the development of financial technology?

FinCrypt Staff

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Block Telegraph Staff

Exploring the complex landscape of global financial regulation, we gather insights from leading fintech leaders, including CEOs and finance experts. From the game-changing impact of PSD2 to the significant role of GDPR in data security, explore the four key regulatory changes that have reshaped fintech development, answering the question: “What changes in financial regulation have impacted fintech development?”

  • PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology
  • GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy
  • Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation
  • GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security

PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology

When it comes to regulatory impact on fintech development, nothing comes close to PSD2. This EU regulation has created a new level playing field for market players of all sizes, from fintech startups to established banks. It has had a ripple effect on other markets around the world, inspiring similar regulatory frameworks and driving global innovation in fintech.

The Payment Services Directive (PSD2), the EU law in force since 2018, has revolutionized the fintech industry by requiring banks to provide third-party payment providers (TPPs) with access to payment services and customer account information via open APIs. This has democratized access to financial data, fostering the development of personalized financial instruments and seamless payment solutions. Advanced security measures such as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) have increased consumer trust, pushing both fintech companies and traditional banks to innovate and collaborate more effectively, resulting in a dynamic and consumer-friendly financial ecosystem.

The impact of PSD2 has extended beyond the EU, inspiring similar regulations around the world. Countries such as the UK, Australia and Canada have launched their own open banking initiatives, spurred by the benefits seen in the EU. PSD2 has highlighted the benefits of open banking, also prompting US financial institutions and fintech companies to explore similar initiatives voluntarily.

This has led to a global wave of fintech innovation, with financial institutions and fintech companies offering more integrated, personalized and secure services. The EU’s leadership in open banking through PSD2 has set a global standard, promoting regulatory harmonization and fostering an interconnected and innovative global financial ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the EU’s PSD3 proposals and Financial Data Access (FIDA) regulations promise to further advance open banking. PSD3 aims to refine and build on PSD2, with a focus on improving transaction security, fraud prevention, and integration between banks and TPPs. FIDA will expand data sharing beyond payment accounts to include areas such as insurance and investments, paving the way for more comprehensive financial products and services.

These developments are set to further enhance connectivity, efficiency and innovation in financial services, cementing open banking as a key component of the global financial infrastructure.

Sebastian Malczyk

General Manager, Technology and Product Consultant Fintech, Insurtech, Miquido

GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy

Privacy and data protection have been taken to another level by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), forcing fintech companies to tighten their data management. In compliance with the GDPR, organizations must ensure that personal data is processed fairly, transparently, and securely.

This has led to increased innovation in fintech towards technologies such as encryption and anonymization for data protection. GDPR was described as a top priority in the data protection strategies of 92% of US-based companies surveyed by PwC.

Arid Islam

Financial Expert, Sterlinx Global

Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation

Since the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) pioneered sandbox regulatory frameworks in 2016 to enable fintech startups to explore new products and services, similar frameworks have been introduced in other countries.

This has reduced the “crippling effect on innovation” caused by a “one size fits all” regulatory approach, which would also require machines to be built to complete regulatory compliance before any testing. Successful applications within sandboxes give regulators the confidence to move forward and address gaps in laws, regulations, or supervisory approaches. This has led to widespread adoption of new technologies and business models and helped channel private sector dynamism, while keeping consumers protected and imposing appropriate regulatory requirements.

George Blandford

Co-founder, UK Linkology

GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security

A big change in financial regulations that has had a real impact on fintech is the 2018 EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I have seen how GDPR has pushed us to focus more on user privacy and data security.

GDPR means we have to handle personal data much more carefully. At Leverage, we have had to step up our game to meet these new rules. We have improved our data encryption and started doing regular security audits. It was a little tricky at first, but it has made our systems much more secure.

For example, we’ve added features that give users more control over their data, like simple consent tools and clear privacy notices. These changes have helped us comply with GDPR and made our customers feel more confident in how we handle their information.

I believe that GDPR has made fintech companies, including us at Leverage, more transparent and secure. It has helped build trust with our users, showing them that we take data protection seriously.

Dr. Rhett Stubbendeck

CEO & Co-Founder, Leverage Planning

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M2P Fintech About to Raise $80M

FinCrypt Staff

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M2P Fintech About to Raise $80M

Application Programming Interface (API) Infrastructure Platform M2P Financial Technology has reached the final round to raise $80 million, at a valuation of $900 million.

Specifically, M2P Fintech, formerly known as Yap, is closing a new funding round involving new and existing investors, according to entrackr.com. The India-based company, which last raised funding two and a half years ago, previously secured $56 million in a round led by Insight Partners, earning a post-money valuation of $650 million.

A source indicated that M2P Fintech is ready to raise $80 million in this new funding round, led by a new investor. Existing backers, including Insight Partners, are also expected to participate. The new funding is expected to go toward enhancing the company’s technology infrastructure and driving growth in domestic and international markets.

What does M2P Fintech do?

M2P Fintech’s API platform enables businesses to provide branded financial services through partnerships with fintech companies while maintaining regulatory compliance. In addition to its operations in India, the company is active in Nepal, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Bahrain, Egypt, and many other countries.

Another source revealed that M2P Fintech’s valuation in this funding round is expected to be between USD 880 million and USD 900 million (post-money). The company has reportedly received a term sheet and the deal is expected to be publicly announced soon. The Tiger Global-backed company has acquired six companies to date, including Goals101, Syntizen, and BSG ITSOFT, to enhance its service offerings.

According to TheKredible, Beenext is the company’s largest shareholder with over 13% ownership, while the co-founders collectively own 34% of the company. Although M2P Fintech has yet to release its FY24 financials, it has reported a significant increase in operating revenue. However, this growth has also been accompanied by a substantial increase in losses.

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Scottish financial technology firm Aveni secures £11m to expand AI offering

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Aveni, Investment Management, AI, NLP, UK

By Gloria Methri

Today

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  • Aveni Assistance
  • Aveni Detection

Artificial intelligence Financial Technology Aveni has announced one of the largest Series A investments in a Scottish company this year, amounting to £11 million. The investment is led by Puma Private Equity with participation from Par Equity, Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide.

Aveni combines AI expertise with extensive financial services experience to create large language models (LLMs) and AI products designed specifically for the financial services industry. It is trusted by some of the UK’s leading financial services firms. It has seen significant business growth over the past two years through its conformity and productivity solutions, Aveni Detect and Aveni Assist.

This investment will enable Aveni to build on the success of its existing products, further consolidate its presence in the sector and introduce advanced technologies through FinLLM, a large-scale language model specifically for financial services.

FinLLM is being developed in partnership with new investors Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide. It is a large, industry-aligned language model that aims to set the standard for transparent, responsible and ethical adoption of generative AI in UK financial services.

Following the investment, the team developing the FinLLM will be based at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, in a state-of-the-art facility.

Joseph Twigg, CEO of Aveniexplained, “The financial services industry doesn’t need AI models that can quote Shakespeare; it needs AI models that deliver transparency, trust, and most importantly, fairness. The way to achieve this is to develop small, highly tuned language models, trained on financial services data, and reviewed by financial services experts for specific financial services use cases. Generative AI is the most significant technological evolution of our generation, and we are in the early stages of adoption. This represents a significant opportunity for Aveni and our partners. The goal with FinLLM is to set a new standard for the controlled, responsible, and ethical adoption of generative AI, outperforming all other generic models in our select financial services use cases.”

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