The fintech industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, driven by the innovation and vision of some of the most talented entrepreneurs. With the global fintech market predicted to exceed £270 billion in 2024, there are no signs of slowing down.
Here, we spotlight 10 fintech entrepreneurs who are revolutionising the tech industry. Let’s explore their groundbreaking work.
1. Daniel Klein – SumUp
Daniel Klein is the CEO and co-founder of SumUp, a company offering payment solutions to small businesses. Under his leadership, SumUp now supports over 3.5 million merchants in 30 countries. His goal is to simplify payment processes for small businesses, making SumUp a global leader in the point-of-sale sector.
2. Anne Boden, MBE – Starling Bank
Anne Boden is the founder and CEO of Starling Bank, a digital bank based in the UK. She made history as the first woman to establish a British bank, earning an MBE for her contributions. Boden’s customer-first approach has made Starling a major player in the UK banking industry, with millions of users and significant backing from investors.
3. Kristo Käärmann – Wise
Kristo Käärmann is the co-founder and CEO of Wise, formerly TransferWise, a fintech company focused on low-cost international money transfers. Alongside co-founder Taavet Hinrikus, Käärmann launched Wise to make global remittances more affordable. The company now serves millions and is valued at approximately £2.8 billion.
4. Eva Wong – Borrowell
Eva Wong is the co-founder and COO of Borrowell, a Canadian startup that helps users manage their credit scores and access personal loans. Wong’s vision has propelled Borrowell to become one of Canada’s largest fintech firms, employing over 160 people and empowering customers to take control of their finances.
5. Louise Hill – GoHenry
Louise Hill is the co-founder and COO of GoHenry, a money management app for children aged 6 to 18. GoHenry’s unique approach, which teaches financial responsibility while allowing parental oversight, has grown in popularity across the UK and the US, positioning it as a key fintech player in the education space.
6. Arik Shtilman – Rapyd
Arik Shtilman is the CEO and co-founder of Rapyd, a global FinTech-as-a-Service platform designed to simplify international payments for businesses. Recognising the challenges of managing cross-border transactions, Shtilman helped Rapyd grow into a multi-million-pound business that streamlines payments for companies worldwide.
7. Giles Andrews, OBE – Zopa
Giles Andrews co-founded Zopa, one of the first peer-to-peer lending platforms. Over the years, Zopa has transitioned into a full-service online bank, closing its lending service in 2021 to focus entirely on banking. Andrews now plays a key role at Bethnal Green Ventures, helping to scale startups.
8. Arjan Verbeek – Perenna
Arjan Verbeek is the founder and CEO of Perenna, a company that offers a 30-year fixed mortgage with no age restrictions, allowing more people to become homeowners. Verbeek’s efforts to tackle housing affordability have made Perenna a disruptive force in the mortgage sector, raising £42 million in its latest funding round.
9. Ismail Ahmed – Zepz
Ismail Ahmed is the founder of Zepz, formerly WorldRemit, a company that facilitates money transfers to over 130 countries. As a migrant from Somaliland, Ahmed has helped millions send money abroad. Zepz now boasts 11 million users globally and is valued at £4 billion.
10. Nikolay Storonsky – Revolut
Nikolay Storonsky is the co-founder and CEO of Revolut, a fintech company offering a range of financial services, including foreign exchange and personal loans. Under Storonsky’s leadership, Revolut has grown into a billion-pound company with a valuation surpassing some of the UK’s largest banks.
These 10 fintech entrepreneurs are at the forefront of transforming the financial landscape, bringing innovative solutions that continue to disrupt and redefine the industry.
