SUMMARY
- A strategic investment vehicle, backed by industry titans like Mastercard and Barclays, tailored for growth-stage fintech firms.
- A response to a 2021 government review, aiming to fortify the U.K.'s allure as a tech firm listing hotspot.
- Despite fintech investments facing headwinds, experts see a golden opportunity for new entrants.
In a move to fortify the U.K.'s global standing as a fintech powerhouse, an investment vehicle tailored for growing financial tech firms has emerged. With esteemed backers such as Mastercard, Barclays, and the London Stock Exchange Group, the Fintech Growth Fund is set to channel a whopping £10 million to £100 million into a myriad of fintech entities. This includes everything from the up-and-coming challenger banks to trailblazing payments technology.
Guided by the astute financial minds at U.K. investment bank Peel Hunt, the fund zeroes in on those companies navigating the tumultuous waters of growth-stage funding. This endeavor isn’t a mere commercial brainwave, but a response to a 2021 government-sanctioned review, which questioned if the U.K.'s tech firm listing ambiance lacked allure.
However, this isn't just another fund in the fintech domain. What sets it apart is its origin in a government-led strategy. This new venture hopes to address some critiques suggesting the U.K.'s post-Brexit image poses challenges for fintech mavens, tempting them to gaze overseas for listings.
But with the London Stock Exchange ushering in reforms to woo fintechs away from U.S. shores, the future looks bright. "Think the successors of Stripe or Worldpay," quips Gautam Pillai from Peel Hunt. With ambitious plans to kick off their maiden investment by year's end, and despite fintech investment taking a hit recently, industry experts remain optimistic. They believe the investment landscape is ripe for a fintech fund, particularly given the recalibration in tech valuations.
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