The FinTech 50 2014 Mar. 2014 | Page 19

FinTech50 IWOCA CHRISTOPH RIECHE, CO-FOUNDER & CEO M icrobusiness is thriving with a 60% rise in the number of zero-employee companies since the turn of the millennium. Traditional business lenders struggle to deal with this category due to their high cost structures and outdated processes. We started iwoca to bring a data-driven approach to assessing business creditworthiness. This gives low-cost yet accurate lending decisions allowing us to invest in an entirely new type of entrepreneur. With greater access to capital, microbusinesses can take advantage of opportunities previously only available to larger competitors. The result? Increased innovation, high-quality job creation and sustainable economic growth. About iwoca offers fast, flexible business loans to online retailers. Integrations with eBay, Amazon and other ecommerce platforms allow iwoca to view a retailer’s real-time trading history and customer feedback. This data feeds into a proprietary risk algorithm to give fast, accurate lending decisions without the high costs associated with traditional lenders. @iwoca @christoph_iwoca IXARIS ALEX MIFSUD, CO-FOUNDER & CEO W e are going through an explosion of competing and complementary innovations in the payments eco-system. How can FinTech vendors and financial institutions increase their chances of surviving through this Cambrian period in payments? This is a good thing, although too many moving parts may be deterring mass customer adoption. I personally believe in accommodating diversity rather than fighting it. Thankfully, the Internet has taught us how to do this, first by connecting existing networks and by making them accessible to those who build and deliver applications. The payments industry is ripe for this development. About Ixaris enables businesses and consumers to move and use money worldwide quickly, affordably and easily – just as the Internet has enabled the movement and use of information. Ixaris technology connects global and local payment networks, financial institutions and customers, applications and devices to make this “Internet of Money” possible. @ixaris @alexmifsud NINETEEN