Zopa investor backs fintech investment funding series
Zopa investor Augmentum Fintech is backing a nationwide investment round focused on fintechs that was launched by the FinTech Alliance and Innovate Finance.
FinTech Alliance has launched its third annual investment series across the country, in partnership with DIT, Innovate Finance, FinTech Scotland, FinTech North, FinTech West and FinTech Northern Ireland.
It currently has 133 companies signed up, and 85 investors including Augmentum Fintech, Anthemis, Insight Partners, Fidelity and Visa Ventures.
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FinTech Alliance was formed through a partnership with the Department for International Trade (DIT) to promote fintech growth across the country and build new fintech bridges. It said the series will enable angel and venture capital investors to find and support new, innovative fintechs.
The group said the series, which will run from April to June, has a nationwide focus on partnerships with the UK’s regional hubs and will also help companies at seed and series A stages to raise capital and meet investors.
FinTech Alliance opened sign-ups for the series in February with the deadline of 30 March ahead of the formal launch of the investment round in April.
The launch party took place at Level39 as an event of UK FinTech Week.
Visa Ventures, Seedrs, Pollinate, Insight Partners, BlackRock and the department for international trade Australia were among the 250 attendees.
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“The event was a celebration of UK wide fintech but also acknowledged the funding gap that still exists and the work that needs to be done to support founders,” FinTech Alliance said in a blog on its website.
“It was also an opportunity for the fintechs and investors taking part in the series to meet in an informal setting.
“FinTech Alliance chairman Alastair Lukies CBE spoke about why the UK is the best place to start a fintech and what we can do to support businesspeople, especially in the earliest stages. He announced the investment series which will include networking opportunities and workshops for seed and series A companies.”