Neueste Artikel

E-Payment made in Germany – Paymill is the backend of Europe’s eCommerce

Veröffentlicht von admin@tochter

Since 2012 the startup Paymill from Munich is offering an online payment solution “made in Germany”, which is staying in the background unlike their customers. Paymill is serving customers like Doodle, Freeletics or Flixbus, with the technical infrastructure for processing payments on their website and mobile application. Paymill is available in 34 countries accross Europe and with 250% growth in the last year one of the fastest growing FinTech-startups.

Especially the European market is a challenge for merchants, as the different countries face them with a variety of security requirements and user habbits. Paymill enables merchants to adapt their shop to the various requirements, accept credit- and debitcard payments in more than 100 currencies.

“Starting with the right business idea, you can set up your online shop within weeks. We are providing merchants with the necessary tool to process the payments. We are kind of the treasurer of the internet-age”, explains Mark Henkel, founder of Paymill. “We not only provide the necessary infrastructure but consult our clients with our expertise in the fields of payment. With this we can enable merchants to realize their business.”

Paymill can be integrated by just adding a few lines of code but also without any coding skills. Shop-systems like Jimdo and Shopify have integrated Paymill already. For other shops like Magento a plug-in is needed, which can be integrated with a few clicks. The same can be done for WordPress, which provides the basis for most Blogs and Shops. The encrypted payment data of customers get transmitted from the Paymill servers to the banks. “From there onwards we process the payment. Thereby our customers save valuable ressources, which otherwise have to be invested in the bureucratic process and high security requirements”, says Henkel.

Marley Spoon implemented Paymill a year ago but is only paying for the service since their launch. Paymill does not charging their customers before they are processing money via the API themselves. This meets the needs of Startups and SMEs in particular, that need a integrated solution that grows with them.

About Paymill:

Paymill’s developer friendly REST API lets you accept credit and debit card payments directly in your website and mobile application. Available across Europe, online businesses are able to accept online payments globally, enabling them to scale internationally from the get-go. The API gives full control of the checkout and can be used as a payment gateway. Thus you can deliver a user experience optimized for higher conversions. And with heavy-duty security measures already built-in – you can rest easy knowing your data secured.

Further information at www.paymill.com

Newsletter, 23 May – 29 May 2015

Veröffentlicht von admin@tochter

Cashboard buys out crowd-investors

Im November 2012 schaffte Refined Investment für seine Trading-Plattform den Europarekord im Crowdfunding: 100.000 Euro kamen in 53 Minuten zusammen…Um den Buy-out der Crowd zu stemmen, hat Cashboard Kapital von externen Investoren aufgenommen…die VCs Earlybird und Heilemann Ventures aus Berlin sowie Redalpine aus der Schweiz, Business Angel Heiko Hubertz – und nicht zuletzt der legendäre Silicon-Valley-Accelerator 500 Startups.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/cashboard-seedmatch-buy-out?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=daily&utm_term=cashboard-seedmatch-buy-out&utm_date=2015-05-22

(Congratulations to Cashboard, which presented at the 3rd FinTech Forum event in Nov. 2014).

Rocket Internet-backed Spotcap launches in Australia, offering SMBs microloans

Spotcap, a Rocket Internet-backed startup offering microloans to small and medium businesses, has launched in Australia. The startup, founded by Toby Triebel and Jens Woloszczak, was established in Madrid in September last year, and launched in the Netherlands earlier this year.

http://www.startupdaily.net/2015/05/rocket-internet-backed-spotcap-launches-australia-offering-smbs-microloans/

Credit Suisse fintech duo try to be more than just money

With 65 investments under their belts, Alan Freudenstein and Greg Grimaldi, the co-heads of Credit Suisse’s Fintech investment fund, can safely claim to know a thing or two about backing financial technology companies…The fund currently holds $405 million in assets, including existing investments, and commitments to future investments.

http://www.efinancialnews.com/story/2015-05-27/credit-suisse-fintech-duo-try-to-be-more-than-just-money

Luxury bags on instalments: Fashionette partners with RatePAY

Wie der Zahlungsdienstleister RatePAY bekannt gibt, wickelt er seit Januar die Ratenzahlung für den Luxusversender fashionette.at ab. Fashionette ist Europas erstes Onlineportal, bei dem man Designer-Accessoires wie Handtaschen, Schmuck und Sonnenbrillen auf Raten kaufen kann.

https://www.ratepay.com/presse/pressemitteilungen/luxustaschen-auf-raten-fashionette-kooperiert-mit-ratepay

Stuttgarter Zeitung: Investitionskredite per Mausklick

Die Gründer Gernot Overbeck und Thomas Becher zeigen auf wie man durch Schaffung von Transparenz dem mittelständischen Unternehmen schnell und günstig zum Kredit seiner Wahl verhelfen kann. Anders als andere Vergleichsplattformen senkt Fintura auch die Prozesskosten der Bank, die den Banken in Rechnung gestellte Provision erhöht deshalb in Summe nicht die Kosten der Bank.

https://fintura.de/news/2015-05-19-Sonderbeilage-Stuttgarter-Zeitung.php

Technology replaces schmoozing: the future of private banking

No longer is schmoozing over long lunches and fine wines enough; Swiss private bankers are turning to video games and virtual reality to attract a new generation of sceptical clients and see off digital rivals.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/102712650%23_gus&_gucid=&_gup=twitter&_gsc=e1v9A3V

Finleap-Partner verlässt den Hitfox-Inkubator

Der Finleap-Partner Jochen Siegert ist zum 30. April aus dem Fintech-Inkubator von Hitfox ausgeschieden. Er habe das Unternehmen auf eigenen Wunsch hin verlassen und wechsle nun zu einem B2B-Bezahldienst in seiner Heimat Frankfurt, heißt es vom Unternehmen.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/siegert-finleap-personalien

8 Tips for Finding Fintech Startup Success

While there seems to be a new fintech startup every day, some of the industry’s expert have been studying and analyzing the market for years now. Which means their opinions matter.Bank Innovation spoke to a number of thought leaders in financial technology and asked them for advice for future fintech entrepreneurs.

http://techmeetups.com/8-tips-for-finding-fintech-startup-success/

An investor and a US start-up love Switzerland

Investor Lucian Wagner explains why Switzerland is a paradise for investors. A Bitcoin start-up from the U.S.A. moves its headquarter to Zurich. And Laurent Haug presents his lessons learned in 20 years as an entrepreneur. Our start-up press review.

http://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/may-2015/an-investor-and-a-us-start-up-love-switzerland?utm_source=newsletter146&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter146

Newsletter, 16 Mai – 22 May 2015

Veröffentlicht von admin@tochter

Bitbond Raises €600,000 to Grow its Global Bitcoin Lending Platform

Global bitcoin lending platform Bitbond today announced an angel funding round of €600,000.
Led by Bitbond’s earlier seed investor Point Nine Capital, a number of business angels contributed significantly to the round.

http://www.coindesk.com/press-releases/bitbond-raises-e600000-to-grow-its-global-bitcoin-lending-platform/

(Congratulations and best of luck to Bitbond, which presented at the 2nd FinTech Forum in May 2014).

Kreditech targets €60 M revenues in 2015

Kreditech strebt an die Börse. Für dieses Jahr peilt das Hamburger Unternehmen einen Umsatz zwischen 50 und 60 Millionen Euro an. Bei einem Wachstum von „400 % pro Jahr“ dürfte das Start-jup dann schon bald eine passende Größe für einen Börsengang haben. Bis 2016 ist es aber noch lang.

http://www.deutsche-startups.de/2015/05/20/kreditech-60-millionen-umsatz/

5th FinTech Forum (22nd June) attracting Austria & Eastern Europe’s FinTech

Presenting startups include Riga-headquartered consumer lending platform CreamFinance, Hungarian mobile wallet provider Cellum that processes over 2 mn secure mobile transactions per month, the Austrian mobile payments startup Sweep etc. Investors and financial institutions include Penta Investments, Ventegis Capital, PayBox Bank / A1, Visa Europe, Raiffeisen Bank, UniCredit, Erste Group etc. Register here:

http://www.fintechforum.de/english/vienna/

Zencap and Sparda-Bank Berlin strike partnership

Zencap und die Berliner Sparda-Bank schließen eine Partnerschaft. Die über eine halbe Million Kunden der Berliner Bank können damit zu vergünstigten Konditionen in Projekte des Kreditmarktplatzes investieren.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/kuss-bruder-investieren-in-nickis-und-weitere-news

Finanzcheck.de targets two-digit million revenues

Der Kreditvergleichsdienst Finanzcheck.de ist derzeit richtig gut unterwegs. In diesem Jahr will Mitgründer Moritz Thiele „einen mittleren zweistelligen Millionenbetrag als Innenumsatz erzielen“. Somit will der Hamburger dieses Jahr „mehr als 1 Milliarde Euro an Neukreditvolumen vermitteln“.

http://www.deutsche-startups.de/2015/05/20/finanzcheck-de-peilt-zweistelligen-millionenumsatz/

Deutsche Bank Tech Chief Overhauls 145-Year-Old Global Giant

…Hammonds has set an ambitious goal for her team (she oversees a staff of 50,000) of meeting with 500 tech startups and implementing new technology from 50 of them this year.

http://www.americanbanker.com/news/bank-technology/deutsche-bank-tech-chief-overhauls-145-year-old-global-giant-1074140-1.html?zkPrintable=1&nopagination=1

Retail Banks Under Assault By Innovation, Regulation

A split-second screen shot in the newest commercial for the Apple Watch tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the future of retail banking. It’s not a pretty picture for retail bankers.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joeharpaz/2015/05/14/retail-banks-under-assault-by-innovation-regulation/

German Central Bank Economist Expects EU to Fund Digital Currency Research

Startup Europe aims to strengthen the business environment for web and ICT entrepreneurs so that their ideas and business can start and grow in the EU. Startup Europe is part of Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE), an initiative of the European Commission, and contributes to the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan.

https://bitcoinmagazine.com/20302/german-central-bank-economist-expects-eu-fund-digital-currency-research/

Yapital wins „ICT innovation of the Year“ Award

Yapital ist ausgezeichnetes Mobile Payment! Gestern Abend haben wir den “ICT Innovation of the Year” Award auf der ICT Spring gewonnen. Wir freuen uns sehr und Gratulation an das gesamte Team! Unten schon mal erste Eindrücke aus Luxemburg…

https://www.yapital.com/blog/2015/05/ausgezeichnetes-mobile-payment-yapital-gewinnt-ict-innovation-of-the-year-award/

Seedmatch founders launch new Crowdfunding platform

Die Macher der Crowdinvestingplattform Seedmatch rund um Gründer und Geschäftsführer Jens-Uwe Sauer haben eine neue Crowdfundingplattform gestartet.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/kuss-bruder-investieren-in-nickis-und-weitere-news?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=daily&utm_term=kuss-bruder-investieren-in-nickis-und-weitere-news&utm_date=2015-05-14

Mambu cloud behind unique lending models

… One such company is Berlin-based Mambu, creators of a cloud-based banking platform that is used by more than 100 financial institutions in close to 30 countries…. Bankless Times spoke with Mambu CEO Eugene Danilkis about Mambu’s new partnership with Lenddo, an online platform combining community-based micro-finance techniques with social media data to help the unbanked and underbanked obtain loans.

http://www.banklesstimes.com/2015/05/15/mambu-mines-social-media-to-determine-loan-risk/

Naqoda Moves Headquartes to London

Naqoda Ltd, a supplier of withholding tax solutions to the financial industry, today announced it is relocating its headquarters to East London’s Tech City area. Tech City, dubbed the Silicon Roundabout is well known for being the centre of cutting edge development in the information technology sector.

http://www.bobsguide.com/guide/news/2015/May/19/naqoda-moves-headquartes-to-london.html

Wirecard supports Online E-Commerce strategy of Spectrum Brands Europe

Die Wirecard AG unterstützt die Online-Markenshops von VARTA Consumer Batteries und weiteren Gesellschaften von Spectrum Brands in Europa bei ihrer E-Commerce Strategie.

https://www.wirecard.de/newsroom/pressemeldungen/newsdetail/wirecard-unterstuetzt-online-markenshops-von-spectrum-brands-europe-bei-e-commerce-strategie/?sc_o=as_c

7 Questions with Pawel Turczynowicz of Ybanking

Veröffentlicht von admin@tochter

1. Who are you?

I am an ex-executive banker who left a top management position in BNP Paribas to start Ybanking.

I am an innovator and contrarian. I joined banking by accident after my first startup exploded in the bubble. Surprisingly I made some career in banking challenging bosses and questioning conventions. Ybanking was too much to fit into corporate culture and I decided to get back to entrepreneurship to pursue this bold disruptive innovation.

In private life I am husband, dad and professional rally driver.

2. Which services do you sell and who are your competitors?

Ybanking is an innovative distribution channel for banks based on social networking platform. It is based on unique benefits schema for customers, designed in a way to create virality and network effect.

Ybanking is the first venture to create such niche in banking marketing. We will compete with traditional banking distribution models and with p2p lending marketplaces.

3. How did you get your startup idea and how did you finance your startup?

The idea developed for a very long time. The first seed of it was created when I’ve heard about p2p lending and tried to think how it can be converged with banking.

The next step was when I got interested by marketing strategies of digital era and learnt about virality and network effects.

Ybanking is a combination of p2p lending, traditional banking and social network marketing.

So far the venture is financed with personal savings.

4. What were the biggest challenges in starting?

For Ybanking the most difficult is to explain it concisely. At the first sight it seems unsustainable and a natural reaction is a need of a proof of concept.

Very few people want to spend couple of minutes to understand it after this first impression.

Ybanking will have a long adoption process of solving chicken-and-egg problem. However, I perceive it as our advantage. Only people determined (obsessed) can go successfully through the process like this.

5. What areas within FinTech do you personally find most interesting and why?

Marketing and communication. I believe communication is the area where the society is changing the most. In 5 years financial services can look very similar as today, with some incremental efficiency changes, except of how customers and banks communicate.

6. What opportunities do you see for FinTech startups in the DACH region, and how can we help to accelerate it?

Ybanking is a global initiative, we want to spread the concept in as many geographies as possible from the beginning.

We search for bankers ready to make some experiments and we don’t know in which corner of the world hides the most ready one.

7. What tip would you like to give FinTech entrepreneurs?

We are on too early stage to give advice.

However, I often see that fintech entrepreneurs treat financial services as some specific business and don’t try to learn from other industries. BTW the same concerns bankers, so perhaps this is the reason. For me banking is an ordinary market and most of the forces are just the same as in other sectors.

Newsletter, 09 May – 15 May 2015

Veröffentlicht von admin@tochter

Check out the line-up of startups presenting at the 5th FinTech Forum, 22nd June, Vienna

FinTech Forum goes on tour: check out the line-up of startups from D.A.CH, Central & Eastern Europe presenting at our 5th Event, this time in Vienna on 22nd June. Warsaw-based yBanking „cuts banks’ cost of sales, so they can pay their customers“; Prague-based Cashila helps „Pay with Bitcoin to euro / SEPA bank accounts”, Swiss startup OneVisage is „the selfie authentication company“. Register here:

http://www.fintechforum.de/english/vienna/

Schwyzer Kantonalbank launches first digital financial assistant with Contovista

Mit der Einführung des Digitalen Finanzassistenten integriert die Schwyzer Kantonalbank (SZKB) als erste Kantonalbank das Personal Finance Management (PFM) in Ihr Internet- und Mobile Banking. Umsetzungspartner ist das Fintech Startup Contovista.

http://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/may-2015/erste-kantonalbank-lanciert-digitalen-finanzassistenten-mit-contovista

AXA launches Venture Fund

Ein Venture Fund, ein Startup-Screening auch für die Schweiz, ein Lab an der EPFL Lausanne: Die Versicherung AXA Winterthur gibt in Sachen Digitalisierung Gas.

http://startupticker.ch/en/news/may-2015/axa-lanciert-venture-fund

Ayondo and Guidants announce partnership

Ab sofort ist es möglich, ausgewählten Guidants-Experten über die Social-Trading-Plattform ayondo zu folgen. Gleichzeitig engagieren sich ausgewählte Top Trader von ayondo mit eigenen Experten-Desktops auf Guidants…

http://ayondo.com/media/1695/ayondo_pm_20150506_de.pdf

BCB Biometric Credit Bureau becomes awamo GmbH: plus several important announcements

BCB, which presented at our 3rd Event in Nov. 2014, has rebranded to awamo GmbH and expanded its team. In addition, former CEO of WestLB (a German state bank) Dietrich Voigtländer has joined awamo’s Advisory Board, and Deutsche Bank has joined as supporter. Congratulations and all the best to Team Awamo! Read on for Awamo’s story as well as job opportunities.

http://awamo.com/about-awamo/the-story-behind-awamo/

BBVA opens doors to fintech startup competition

Spanish banking giant BBVA is inviting fintech startups from around the world to enter its Open Talent competition for the chance to win EUR30,000 and high-level networking opportunities.

http://www.finextra.com/news/fullstory.aspx?newsitemid=27344

FinTech Forum strengthens advisor team: Dr. Aline Vedder joins as Sr. Advisor

Aline heads the global communications team for financial technology start-up Spotcap. Prior to her current role she managed PR activities for a portfolio of Rocket Internet start-ups. As Senior Advisor at FinTech Forum she consults FinTech Start-Ups in the DACH region on effective communication and branding strategies.

http://www.fintechforum.de/about-us/

Moneymeets – how intermediaries are restoring trust in financial services

To gain insight into the world of the money managers, I spoke this week with Dieter Fromm and Johannes Cremer, the co-founders of German based moneymeets…It was this whole subject of the lack of trust and consumer confidence that led them to talk about creating an Amazon-like business in financial services.

http://bankinnovation.net/2015/05/moneymeets-how-intermediaries-are-restoring-trust-in-financial-services/

(Moneymeets presented at the 1st FinTech Forum event in Nov. 2013 and at our 3rd event in Nov. 2014.)

Wirecard Supports the Nationwide Launch of Orange Cash in Spain

The Wirecard Group supports the launch of the mobile payment service „Orange Cash“ in Spain. As part of the strategic alliance with the mobile operator Orange, Wirecard will provide the E-Money and scheme license as well as the technical platform needed to manage the mobile payment application.

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/wirecard-supports-the-nationwide-launch-of-orange-cash-in-spain-502886201.html

Voola ist Suchmaschine für Finanzprodukte

Geldanlage: Das Kölner Start-up Voola will ab sofort die erste Suchmaschine für Finanzprodukte sein. Das Unternehmen um die drei Gründer Martin Donath, Thomas Müller und Roman Przibylla will die Suche nach den passenden Finanzprodukten vereinfachen und das große Angebot für Anleger transparenter machen.

http://www.deutsche-startups.de/2015/05/11/blisy-looxio-24h-pflege-check-fetchad-voola/

Go Beyond Investing intensifying activities in the fintech field

Go Beyond Investing was chosen and presented at Startupbootcamp FinTech Fastrack in London on April 23. It was the only Swiss company out of 10 who participated. Startupbootcamp is the leading accelerator focusing on FinTech innovation and, through their accelerator program, provides mentoring, funding, space and access to a network of industry professionals.

http://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/may-2015/go-beyond-investing-intensifying-activities-in-the-fintech-field?utm_source=newsletter143&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter143

German Central Bank Economist Expects EU to Fund Digital Currency Research

Startup Europe aims to strengthen the business environment for web and ICT entrepreneurs so that their ideas and business can start and grow in the EU. Startup Europe is part of Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE), an initiative of the European Commission, and contributes to the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan.

https://bitcoinmagazine.com/20302/german-central-bank-economist-expects-eu-fund-digital-currency-research/

Robin von Hein simplesurance CEO im Gründer-Talk

…Im UNITEDNETWORKER Gründer-Talk Podcast erfahrt Ihr wie Robin von Hein auf die Idee kam, das FinTech Startup Unternehmen simplesurance zu gründen, welche Produkte simplesurance anbietet und was es mit Schutzklick auf sich hat. Warum es gerade für Startup Unternehmen wichtig ist, gutes Personal zu finden und warum Berlin die Deutsche Gründer und Startup Metropole ist!

http://www.unitednetworker.com/robin-von-hein-simplesurance-ceo-im-gruender-talk/

Die Finalisten Webfuture Award 2015: Die 10 nominierten Start-ups

Zahlen mit Geld oder mit einem Post in deinem sozialen Netzwerk – PayOrShare lässt Nutzer zwischen zwei Online-Zahlungsmethoden wählen. Zusätzlich zu den herkömmlichen Zahlungsmethoden etabliert PayOrShare die Bezahlung mit Reichweite in sozialen Netzwerken.

http://www.deutsche-startups.de/2015/05/13/webfuture-award-2015-die-10-nominierten-start-ups/

3-Monatsbericht 2015: Wirecard AG – dynamische Entwicklung im Q1/2015

Im ersten Quartal 2015 erhöhten sich die Umsatzerlöse im Konzern um 26 Prozent auf EUR 159,4 Mio. (Q1/2014: EUR 126,2 Mio.).

https://www.wirecard.de/newsroom/pressemeldungen/newsdetail/3-monatsbericht-2015-wirecard-ag-dynamische-entwicklung-im-q12015/?sc_o=as_c

Newsletter, 1 May – 8 May

Veröffentlicht von admin@tochter

Arrowgrass invests in lending platform Lendico

Nach einer Schrumpfkur und mit angepasstem Geschäftsmodell stockt Rockets Lendico nun finanziell auf. 20 Millionen Euro sollen das Wachstum ankurbeln.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/lendico-arrowgrass

Bitcoin-friendly Fidor Bank Expands to the United Kingdom

Fidor Bank, the innovative German bank that is bringing Bitcoin and digital fintech to mainstream banking, is now operating in Great Britain. Fidor Bank, one of the world’s most innovative banks disrupting the traditional banking sector, has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as a “Global Growth Company.”

https://bitcoinmagazine.com/20205/bitcoin-friendly-fidor-bank-expands-united-kingdom/

Application process open for Switzerland’s first fintech incubator

Temenos and Polytech Ventures have joined forces to create “Fusion” Switzerland’s first incubator focused on the fintech sector. Drawing on their knowledge of the banking IT sector and developing start-ups, they will network, mentor, refine, advise, help provide syndicated funds and support start-up fintech companies at premises in the heart of Geneva.

http://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/may-2015/application-process-open-for-switzerland-s-first-fintech-incubator

Ginmon hilft bei der Geldanlage

Bankprodukte: Mit Ginmon aus Frankfurt ist ein weiteres FinTech-Start-up gestartet, das sich mit dem Thema der privaten Geldanlange beschäftigt. Mitgründer Lars Reiner beschreibt das Unternehmen als vollautomatisierte Investmentplattform, welche es ermöglichen soll, angespartes Vermögen in bewährte Anlageformen anzulegen.

http://www.deutsche-startups.de/2015/04/27/mitercasting-gradar-yoocorp-mobimee-ginmon/

Wirecard unterstützt den landesweiten Launch von Orange Cash in Spanien

Die Wirecard Gruppe unterstützt den Launch des Mobile Payment Service “Orange Cash” in Spanien. Im Rahmen der strategischen Partnerschaft mit dem Mobilfunkanbieter Orange stellt Wirecard die E-Money- und Issuing-Lizenz sowie die technische Plattform für die mobile Bezahl-Applikation bereit.

https://www.wirecard.de/newsroom/pressemeldungen/newsdetail/wirecard-unterstuetzt-den-landesweiten-launch-von-orange-cash-in-spanien/?sc_o=as_c

Banks v fintech: An uneasy symbiosis

Fintech has made inroads, but the incumbents still dominate day-to-day banking. For how long?

http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21650296-fintech-has-made-inroads-incumbents-still-dominate-day-day-banking-how

How an open standard API could revolutionize banking

The United Kingdom government has commissioned a study of the feasibility of UK banks giving customers the ability to share their transactional data with third parties via an open standard API. First mentioned alongside the autumn statement back in December, the chancellor has now outlined plans for a mandatory open banking API standard during the recent budget in March.

http://opensource.com/business/15/4/open-standard-api-banking

EXASOL wins King Digital as new client

EXASOL und King Digital Entertainment, bekannt vor allem für das beliebte Spiel „Candy Crush Saga“, arbeiten eng zusammen, um Spielern auf der ganzen Welt ein einzigartiges Erlebnis zu ermöglichen. Durch die schnelle Datenanalyse von EXASolution ist King in der Lage, die Wünsche der Spieler besser zu erkennen und zu erfüllen. So sorgt das Unternehmen für eine engere Kundenbindung.

http://www.exasol.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/exasols-in-memory-analytic-database-enables-candy-crush-saga-devel/

Probleme bei Lendico? Da gibt es halt 20 Millionen!

Die solide Finanzierung ist ein wichtiger strategischer Vorteil in einem schnell wachsenden Marktumfeld“, sagt Lendico-Geschäftsführer Dominik Steinkühler. 20 Millionen erhält das FinTech-Start-up. Dass bei Lendico nicht alles rund läuft, können aber auch diese PR-Hülsen nicht verdecken.

http://www.deutsche-startups.de/2015/05/02/probleme-von-lendico-da-gibt-es-halt-20-millionen/

Mobiles Bezahlen an Tankstelle kommt!

Am 6. und 7. Mai wird in Münster die Tankstellenmesse: Tankstelle & Mittelstand 2015 stattfinden.
Teil dieser Branchenmesse wird auch Yapital, der erste europäische, bargeldlose Cross-Channel-Payment-Anbieter sein.

http://www.internetworld.de/events/marketing/mobiles-bezahlen-an-tankstelle-kommt-939632.html

UPDATE 1-Rocket Internet cuts stakes in lending sites-Spiegel

Rocket Internet, a tech investor focused on emerging market ventures, has reduced its stakes in two of its Europe-focused financial services start-ups after facing setbacks there, Germany’s Spiegel magazine said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/02/rocketinternet-holdings-idUSL5N0XS1BB20150502

RapidMiner Powers Data-Driven Fundraising for Amnesty International Belgium

Amnesty International, is a global movement of more than seven million people, campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all.

http://insidebigdata.com/2015/04/29/rapidminer-powers-data-driven-fundraising-for-amnesty-international-belgium/

7 Questions with Toby Triebel, Co-Founder and CEO of Spotcap

Veröffentlicht von admin@tochter

1. Who are you?

I am Toby Triebel, Co-Founder and CEO of Spotcap. Spotcap is an online credit platform that leverages big data to provide financing solutions for small businesses that are underserved by traditional banks.

2. Which services do you sell and who are your competitors?

We provide short-terms loans of up to €100,000 for micro, small and medium sized enterprises. Business owners can upload their business forms or connect their online accounts to apply for a credit line. We process this data to check their creditworthiness, providing instant feedback. Therefore, we can grant short-term loans within minutes.

Securing a loan from Spotcap is very different from the agonising process of securing SME loans from a bank. Banks have complex systems and infrastructure in place. Often it’s simply not profitable for them to lend to small businesses. Spotcap uses different criteria to assess credit risk. Where banks look at historical financials going back five years, Spotcap is more focused on real time performance over the last 12 months. Consequently we can approve more SME loans.

Taking these differences into account, despite the obvious gap in the market for SME loans, I don’t see much competition.

3. How did you get your startup idea and how did you finance your startup?

Having worked in the finance industry for many years, I witnessed first-hand how smaller businesses struggle to receive funding from traditional banks. Banks have been and continue to deleverage their balance sheets globally, thus effectively shrinking their loan portfolios. With the goal to address these challenges, my partner Jens Woloszczak and I founded Spotcap to enable small businesses to grow without having to worry about financing. We decided to start Spotcap to disruptively change the banking landscape by using cutting-edge technology.

Spotcap is backed by Rocket Internet, one of the world’s largest venture capital firms and startup incubators. We raised 13 million euros from a group of investors, including Access Industries and Holtzbrinck Ventures. In addition, we recently secured 5 million euros in debt funding from Kreos Capital, Europe’s largest provider of growth debt to high-growth companies.

4. What were the biggest challenges in starting?

Spotcap’s team currently consists of 50 dedicated people from more than 20 countries. It’s a tremendous challenge to build a passionate team with the best talent from all over the globe within a few months. However, it’s an even bigger challenge to continuously innovate in order to keep up with the ever-changing progress in technology.

5. What areas within FinTech do you personally find most interesting and why?

Naturally, I’m especially fascinated by the online lending industry. Be it direct lending or peer-to-peer lending – the industry has been building momentum and it’s exciting to be at its forefront. The problem we want to solve is a global one and the market opportunity is tremendous.

6. What opportunities do you see for FinTech startups in the DACH region, and how can we help to accelerate it? 

The DACH region provides solid market opportunities and infrastructure for fintech startups. Berlin is on its way to becoming Europe’s tech startup hub next to London with an exciting fintech scene.

To accelerate business opportunities I’m strongly in favour of the development of a partnership culture with traditional financial institutions.

7. What tip would you like to give FinTech entrepreneurs?

Stand behind your ideas and be open for challenges. The financial industry is particular in many ways. Regulatory requirements might seem challenging but in the end they’ll deter dishonest financial service providers from entering the market. Accordingly, they should be seen as an advantage for reliable financial service providers. If you stay focused on being the best at what you do, it is very likely that the rest will follow.

Newsletter, 25 April – 30 April 2015

Veröffentlicht von admin@tochter

Social trading gets more investment – Ayondo raises CHF 6 million

There is an interesting piece of news from ayondo group, the provider of social investment solutions, which illustrates the increased allure of social trading companies for investors. The company announced today that it has received extra CHF 6 million (USD 6.27 million) in funding from its existing shareholder base, led by Singapore-based Private Equity group Luminor Capital.

http://leaprate.com/2015/04/social-trading-gets-more-investment-ayondo-raises-chf-6-million/

Deutsche Bank to allocate EUR1 billion to new digital spend

Deutsche bank has announced plans to shutter 200 branches and invest an additional EUR1 billion over the next three-to-five years to create „a more digital bank“. As part of a massive cost-cutting programme, the giant German bank is shrinking its securities business and selling Postbank as it looks to deliver annual cost savings of EUR3.5 billion.

http://www.finextra.com/news/fullstory.aspx?newsitemid=27283

FinTech incubator FinLeap to add 150 staff

FinLeap wächst rasant: Seit dem Start im vergangenen Dezember hat der Hitfox-Fintech-Inkubator bereits 100 Mitarbeiter eingestellt. Nun sollen bis zum Jahresende noch weitere 150 „Fintech-Experten“ hinzukommen. 100 Stellen seien bereits ausgeschrieben, wie das Unternehmen verkündet.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/hitfox-finleap-150-neueinstellungen

Swisscom looking for Startups with international potential

Swisscom startet die StartUp Challenge 2015: Gesucht werden Start-ups aus den Bereichen IT & Telekommunikation, Big Data, FinTech, eCommerce, Smart Mobility, eHealth, Media und Cleantech, die mit ihren Produkten oder Dienstleistungen die Welt erobern wollen. Die fünf besten erhalten ein Business Acceleration Program im Silicon Valley. Zusätzlich winkt die Chance auf ein Investment oder die Zusammenarbeit mit Swisscom. Die Bewerbungsfrist läuft bis zum 29. Mai 2015.

http://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/april-2015/swisscom-sucht-start-ups-mit-internationalem-potenzial

30-Hour Bankathon: Sleepless in Frankfurt

Investoren und Banken-Vertreter haben ein Gründer-Team gestern zu Hacker-Königen gekürt – nach 30 Stunden Code-Marathon. Was genau macht die Gewinner-App Candis?

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/bankathon-frankfurt-2015?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=daily&utm_term=bankathon-frankfurt-2015&utm_date=2015-04-30

Recruiting 2.0: UBS exec tweets cryptic job ad

The head of UBS’s new fintech lab is employing a novel approach to recruiting bright, tech-literate minds to his team. On Thursday afternoon, Alex Batlin tweeted the following message: “decrypt(‚frnepu sbe n punyyratr ng HOF ba gur oybpxpunva‘)”…

http://www.efinancialnews.com/story/2015-04-29/headhunting-ubs-uses-blockchain-to-hunt-for-developers

Deutsche Börse Startup Platform

Wie geplant bringt die Deutsche Börse ihre angedachte Plattform für Start-ups bis zum Sommer an den Start. Beim Deutsche Börse Venture Network handelte es sich aber nicht um ein neues Börsensegment“, stellte Deutschlands größter Börsenbetreiber am Mittwoch noch einmal explizit fest.

http://www.deutsche-startups.de/2015/04/29/deutsche-boerse-venture-network-start-juni/

Wirecard AG: Preliminary results for the first quarter of 2015

In the first quarter of 2015, Wirecard AG was able to significantly increase its revenue and earnings in comparison to the same period of the previous year.Consolidated revenue increased around 26 percent from EUR million 126.2 to EUR million 159.1 according to preliminary figures. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by approx. 31 percent to EUR million 46.0 from (Q1/2014: EUR million 35.0) in the first quarter of 2015.

http://ir.wirecard.com/websites/wc/German/3150/finanznachrichten.html?newsID=1472277&sc_o=as_c

Leaked Chainalysis Roadmap Angers Bitcoin Community

Chainalysis offers a service that provides financial institutions with the means to obtain regulatory compliance through real-time analysis of the blockchain. Based in Switzerland and headed by ex-Kraken COO Michael Grønager and former Mycelium engineer Jan Møller, the company provides an API for sophisticated in-depth real-time blockchain transaction analysis.

https://bitcoinmagazine.com/20182/leaked-chainalysis-roadmap-angers-bitcoin-community/

Astrid Byl wird neue Finanzchefin bei PAYONE

Der Kieler Payment Service Provider PAYONE besetzt mit Astrid Byl ab dem 1. Mai 2015 die Position des Director Finance neu und ergänzt damit das Management-Team. Die Diplom Kauffrau ist im Rahmen der kaufmännischen Leitung des Unternehmens zukünftig führend für das Finanz- und Rechnungswesen, das Risikomanagement und die Compliance des Unternehmens verantwortlich.

http://www.payone.de/unternehmen/presse-news/pressemitteilungen/astrid-byl-wird-neue-finanzchefin-bei-payone/

Newsletter, 18 April – 24 April 2015

Veröffentlicht von admin@tochter

German Online Loans Platform Smava Raises $16M

Here comes some more funding for a European financial tech company specialising in online loans. Germany’s Smava — a peer-to-peer lending platform where investors provide the funds to loan money to borrowers — has raised $16 million in funding led by Phenomen Ventures, along with existing investors Earlybird and Neuhaus Partners.

http://techcrunch.com/2015/04/22/german-online-loans-platform-smava-raises-16m/

Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures invests in Number26

Berlin-based FinTech Number26 announced a €10 million Series A round led by Peter Thiel’s VC Valar Ventures. Swizz entrepreneur Daniel S. Aegerter as well as existing investors Earlybird and Redalpine also joined the round.

http://venturevillage.eu/20150416-number26

Non-Banks and deteriorating customer relationships threaten German banks

Das zweite Jahr in Folge hat sich die Zufriedenheit der Kunden mit ihren Banken weltweit leicht verschlechtert. Der dieser Berechnung zugrunde liegende Customer Experience Index im Privatkundenbereich sinkt um knapp ein Prozent. Deutschland zählt zu den vier Ländern, die den größten Rückgang auf dieser Skala aufweisen (ein Verlust von fünf Prozent über zwei Jahre hinweg).

https://www.capgemini.com/news/weaker-customer-relationships-and-competitive-threats-from-non-banks-challenge-retail-bankers

IDnow möchte zum Fintech-Standard werden – und weitere News

Gleich eine ganze Reihe an Kooperationen vermeldet das Münchener Startup IDnow derzeit. Die von den Amiando-Gründern Felix Haas, Dennis von Ferenczy, Armin Bauer und Sebastian Bärhold gestartete Plattform will die einfache Online-Legitimation für Bankgeschäfte möglich machen.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/kfw-meventi-4scotty-idnow-mytaxi-simplesurance?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=daily&utm_term=kfw-meventi-4scotty-idnow-mytaxi-simplesurance&utm_date=2015-04-22

One-fourth of lending will move online / Ein Viertel der Kredite wird online aufgenommen

Bankgeschäfte sind Vertrauenssache. Die örtliche Bank oder Sparkasse vor Ort ist daher oft die erste Anlaufstelle für Verbraucher, wenn es um Geldgeschäfte geht. Wer allerdings einen Ratenkredit benötigt, macht diesen Weg immer seltener.

http://www.wiwo.de/finanzen/geldanlage/bankfilialen-fallen-zurueck-ein-viertel-der-kredite-wird-online-aufgenommen/11646752.html

VOOLA, the „Google for Financial Products“ launched / Startup VOOLA stellt FinTech Suchmaschine vor

Voola schickt sich an, das Google für Finanzprodukte zu werden. Das FinTech Startup mit Sitz in Köln hat am 25. März sein Produkt gelauncht und ist somit ein Newbie auf dem Markt. In einem Interview gewährt uns der Gründer Thomas Müller einen Blick hinter die Kulissen von VOOLA.

https://webmagazin.de/startups/voola-startup-interview-43099000

(Congratulations and all the best to Voola, which presented at the 3rd FinTech Forum in Nov 2014!)

Payment Institution Licence for Payone

Der zur Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe gehörende Zahlungsdienstleister Payone hat von der Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht BaFin eine Banklizenz erhalten. Damit ist Payone berechtigt, Zahlungsverkehrsdienstleistungen zu erbringen, die früher Banken vorbehalten waren.

http://www.thepaypers.com/online-payments/payone-becomes-a-payment-institution/759576-3

CEO of Valiant Bank joins investiere

Mike Hobmeier, ehemaliger CEO der Valiant Bank sowie ehemaliger Leiter Financial Services Consulting bei PwC und IBM Schweiz, stösst zu investiere. Die Online-Venture-Capital-Plattform gehört zu den führenden Business-Angel-Netzwerken in Europa.

http://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/april-2015/ehemaliger-valiant-ceo-wird-chief-investment-officer-von-investiere

Applications open for Fintech Startupbootcamp event in Zurich

On May 6th, Startupbootcamp FastTrack will make a stop in Zurich as part of its international tour to support the world’s top startup cities. 10 FinTech startups are invited to get on the fast track by meeting top Startupbootcamp mentors during a series of 20 minute 1-1 feedback sessions. FastTrack events are a bite-sized’ glimpse into the value a Startupbootcamp program entails.

http://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/april-2015/applications-open-for-fintech-startupbootcamp-event-in-zurich?utm_source=newsletter140&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter140%23.VTOFafCwKNo

BBVA Ventures mulls European expansion

The move could also include increasing the size of the $100 million BBVA Ventures fund for more fintech investments in Europe, according to people familiar with the matter. An internal candidate is being considered as a potential head of BBVA Ventures’ operations in London, they added.

http://www.efinancialnews.com/story/2015-04-20/bbva-ventures-mulls-european-expansion

4 Big Industries And Their Next Generation Tech Disruptors

…the Hamburg-based Kreditech aims to serve the underbanked. But even more ambitious than the fintech startups before it, Kreditech isn’t exactly “unbundling” banks—it’s re-bundling discrete financial services into one fully automated, real-time, multi-channel “bank.”

http://www.forbes.com/sites/truebridge/2015/04/15/big-industries-and-their-tech-disruptors/

Portal lockt mit hohen Zinsen in Tschechien

…Das ruft auch Finanzfirmen aus der Techbranche, im Jargon Fintech genannt, und neue Portale auf den Plan: Eines davon ist Savedo. Die junge Start-up-Firma aus Berlin nennt sich selbst internationaler Marktplatz für Festgeldanlagen in Europa.

http://hd.welt.de/ausgabe-b/finanzen-b/article139934528/Portal-lockt-mit-hohen-Zinsen-in-Tschechien.html

CIMB Bank Singapore Teams up with Wirecard to Embark on Merchant Acquisition Business

CIMB Bank Singapore today announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Wirecard, a global leader in electronic payment transactions, to offer a complete merchant solution to businesses in Singapore.

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cimb-bank-singapore-teams-up-with-wirecard-to-embark-on-merchant-acquisition-business-500773891.html

The Future of the Digital-only Bank [Interview w/ CEO of Fidor Bank] 

We recently caught up with Matthias Kroner, CEO of Fidor Bank, one the world’s most innovative banks. Fidor has completely rethought the traditional concept of banking and produced an outstanding digital-only bank. All charts have come from Slideshare (here and here).

http://moneysummit.mx.com/the-summit/2015/4/20/fidor-bank-decoupling-the-banking-experience-and-creating-mass-customization-through-open-apis-interview

Kreditech trennt sich von seinem CMO

Wie Gründerszene erfuhr, ist Samir El-Alami (Foto) nicht mehr als CMO bei Kreditech tätig. Auf Nachfrage gab das Hamburger FinTech-Unternehmen an, dass man sich einvernehmlich in der Probezeit voneinander getrennt habe.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/personalien-kreditech-cmo

Zwischen Big Data und Regulierung: Fincite – eine FinTech-Schmiede in Deutschland und Peru

Fincite sieht sich als Schmiede für FinTech-Startups, wobei das Spektrum von der Auftrags-Entwicklung (als Dienstleistungsangebot) bis hin zu eigenen Diensten und Startups reichen soll. IT Finanzmagazin hat mit Ralf Heim, dem Mitgründer und -geschäftsführer gesprochen.

http://www.it-finanzmagazin.de/zwischen-big-data-und-regulierung-fincite-eine-fintech-schmiede-in-deutschland-und-peru-12249

Dos und Don‘ts bei einer Financial Due Diligence

Worauf müsst ihr eigentlich achten, wenn ihr eine Financial Due Diligence bei einem Unternehmen durchführen wollt? Wie könnt ihr euch als Verkäufer darauf vorbereiten? Das kann ich euch gleich sagen und euch zusätzlich ein oder zwei Tipps für eure nächste Financial Due Diligence geben.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/financial-due-diligence-dos-und-donts-kpmg?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=daily&utm_term=financial-due-diligence-dos-und-donts-kpmg&utm_date=2015-04-21

Newsletter, 03 April – 17 April 2015

Veröffentlicht von admin@tochter

Number26 Grabs $10.6 Million To Bring Its Bank Of The Future To Everyone

It feels like Number26 opened its doors yesterday, but the young startup just raised a $10.6 million Series A round (€10 million) from Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures, with Daniel S. Aegerter and existing investors Earlybird and Redalpine also participating.

http://techcrunch.com/2015/04/16/number26-grabs-10-6-million-to-bring-its-bank-of-the-future-to-everyone/#.4caud5:1736

Kreditech among Germany’s top VC investments in 2015 so far

In aller Kürze lassen wir an dieser Stelle noch einmal die wichtigsten, interessantesten und größten Investitionen, also Finanzierungsrunden, des laufenden Jahres Revue passieren. Dabei geht es unter anderem um Delivery Hero ((287 Millionen), Kreditech (200 Millionen US-Dollar) und Hellofresh (110 Millionen Euro), die alle sehr großen Summen eingesammelte haben.

http://www.deutsche-startups.de/2015/04/15/startup-investitionen-2015-quartal/

TransferWise opens Berlin office

TransferWise boomt – 58 Millionen US-Dollar gab es kürzlich von Andreessen Horowitz und Peter Thiel. Mit dem Geld will das Payment-Startup auch Deutschland erobern.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/transferwise-buero-berlin

UK launch of digital bank Fidor hamstrung by payments providers

A German digital bank is planning to launch in Britain, once it is granted access to the payment system. Fidor Bank had planned to open in the UK last month, but it has been held up by the difficult payments infrastructure.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11513405/UK-launch-of-digital-bank-Fidor-hamstrung-by-payments-providers.html

Kreditech was blackmailed

Nach dem spektakulären Datendiebstahl bei Kreditech wurde das Unternehmen offenbar auch erpresst. Bei der Aufarbeitung der Affäre soll ein neuer COO helfen. Es gibt da dieses Imagevideo von Kreditech, das Hamburger Fintech-Startup stellte es vor wenigen Monaten auf YouTube.

http://www.gruenderszene.de/allgemein/kreditech-erpressung-neuer-coo?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=daily&utm_term=kreditech-erpressung-neuer-coo&utm_date=2015-04-11

Fintech-Branche setzt auf IDnow bei der Online-Legitimation

Fintech-Startups bringen die Bankenlandschaft in Bewegung. Vorreiter der Branche wie Auxmoney, Vaamo, Decimo, iwoca, Number26 und Smava mit Kreditprivat setzen auf IDnow als Partner für die sichere Online-Legitimation ihrer Kunden. Die Kundendieser Fintech-Anbieter  können sich nun per Videochat ausweisen und den zeitaufwändigen

http://www.idnow.de/

Wirecard to Enable Mobile Payments for Kairos Watches

Today, the technology and financial services provider Wirecard AG and Kairos Watches Ltd. announced a collaboration in the field of mobile payment services for wearables.

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/wirecard-to-enable-mobile-payments-for-kairos-watches-499655801.html

Das Fintech Ökosystem in New York entdecken

Swiss Global Enterprise und seine Partner Alp ICT, swiss made software, ICTswitzerland, Swiss Finance Startups und finteCH Zürich bieten Start-ups und Schweizer Unternehmen aus dem Bereich Fintech die Möglichkeit im Rahmen einer Reise den New Yorker Fintech Cluster zu entdecken.

http://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/april-2015/das-fintech-oekosystem-in-new-york-entdecken?utm_source=newsletter139&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter139%23.VSmGM_CwKNo

Big „Innovations“ by Cashcloud: New App Design, New Functions, New Staff Members

Development leap by cashcloud SA: The mobile eWallet of the FinTech Company based in Luxembourg has from now a completely new design and offers a wide range of new functions.

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/big-innovations-by-cashcloud-new-app-design-new-functions-new-staff-members-499019051.html

Money app (Payfriendz) uses social media to verify users

The Payfriendz smartphone app launched last summer. Now the company is kicking off a marketing campaign focused on the UK student market. It has also teamed up with Veridu, using the company’s social identification platform to vet the identity of users by analyzing an individual’s social media footprint. –

http://www.secureidnews.com/news-item/money-app-uses-social-media-to-verify-users/

Independent Research Firm’s Big Data Predictive Analytics Report Cites RapidMiner as „a Rock-Solid Enterprise Solution With Cloud Capability“

RapidMiner, the industry’s easiest-to-use Modern Analytics platform for Big Data, announced today it has been positioned by Forrester Research as a Strong Performer in „The Forrester Wave™: Big Data Predictive Analytics Solutions, Q2 2015“1 report.

http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/independent-research-firms-big-data-predictive-analytics-report-cites-rapidminer-as-2005992.htm

Sapphire Innovation relies on Crossing-Tech

Crossing-Tech, a Swiss Independent Software Vendor specialized in application integration, announced a new partnership with Sapphire Innovation, a young Swiss provider of Cash Management solution. The partnership will allow Sapphire Innovation to speed-up its integration within heterogeneous IT landscape.

http://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/april-2015/dasfgadg?utm_source=newsletter139&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter139%23.VSmHj_CwKNo

Like banking before it, insurance industry faces competition from peer-to-peer newcomer

… Founded in 2010, Berlin-based Friendsurance has rapidly established itself in its domestic market. The company enables individuals to cover uninsured motor losses and personal liability cover by being able to pool resources with other cost-conscious consumers.

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/comment/article-3016964/BEN-GRIFFITHS-Like-banking-insurance-industry-facing-competition-peer-peer-newcomer.html#ixzz3X2AOugPm

German Central Bank Survey: 41% Know ‘Niche Phenomenon’ of Bitcoin

While Germany has become a hostile environment for Bitcoin in the EU, its central bank has revealed its engagement with cryptocurrency in 2014 in a consumer survey. The results, which went into compiling Deutsche Bundesbank’s report on Payment Habits in Germany 2014, showed that of the 2,000 people who responded to the survey, 28% had heard of Bitcoin overall.

http://cointelegraph.com/news/113893/german-central-bank-survey-41-know-niche-phenomenon-of-bitcoin

FinTech hebt ab: VC-Kolumne von Andreas Thümmler, Acxit Capital Partners

Fintech ist derzeit zu einem der spannendsten Subsegmente im Technologiemarkt avanciert. Seit der letzten Finanzkrise ist klar, klassisches „Bricks and Motar Banking“ und riesige Monokulturen im Banken- und Versicherungswesen haben keine ewige Halbwertszeit mehr.

http://www.vc-magazin.de/finanzierung/venture-capital/item/3229-vc-kolumne-von-andreas-th%C3%BCmmler-acxit-capital-partners

The leading FinTech figures in Switzerland

Wer den Schweizer Finanzplatz trotz der epochalen Veränderungen im Dornröschenschlaf sieht, täuscht sich. Fintech, Finance 2.0 und die Digitalisierung definieren die Branche. finews.ch nennt die wichtigsten Entscheider, Entwickler und Initianten in diesem Umfeld.

http://www.finews.ch/news/finanzplatz/17849-fintech-schweiz-oliver-bussmann-francisco-fernandez-remo-schmidli-thomas-jakob-christina-kehl

The five most influential people in the future of banking

After endless stomach-churning FinTech ‘hotshot’ lists, here’s one focused on those with a heart for banking. I’ve shot it with ‘FinTech’ hangers on — those people and publications that pimp themselves out by romanticising those folks associated with the trendy term. It’s reached the point that #FinTechPeeps are getting more hype than the technology itself.

https://medium.com/@HappyDaysInBali/the-five-most-influential-people-in-the-future-of-banking-65f4ddf40e34