The global Fintech industry had a promising start in Q1&#39;23 after a steady decline in investment activity in 2022.
In Q1&#39;23, the global Fintech industry experienced a <a href="https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/fintech-trends-q1-2023/">55% quarter-over-quarter growth</a> in funding, driven by Stripe&#39;s $6.5B raise. Early-stage deal share reached a record high of 72%. However, unicorn births decreased to just one, a first since 2016. On the bright side, M&amp;A exits increased by 15% QoQ. The banking sector, however, saw the lowest levels of funding and deals since Q2&#39;17.
In this article, we’ll take a quick tour of financial technologies&#39; core elements to discover how they work and what makes them unique. You’ll be able to understand the following:
<ul>
<li>The basic terminology used in this industry. </li>
<li>An overview of its recent market history in 2022 and Q1 2023. </li>
<li>Have a sneak peek at the Fintech sector in the European startup ecosystem.</li>
<li>Learn what European investors have an active portfolio on Fintech.</li>
<li>Discover a few use cases of Fintech across other verticals.</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="what-is-fintech--financial-technology">What is Fintech — Financial Technology?</h1>
Fintech refers to the technologies and software solutions used to innovate the financial industry. It can include mobile applications up to more complex technologies. 
<a href="https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/top-fintech-startups-2022/">According to CB Insights</a>, some of the most well-known areas include the digitalization of banking services, payment processing &amp; networks, corporate cards &amp; expense management, BNPL &amp; credit cards, new online investment platforms &amp; wealth management, automation of financial services, fraud prevention &amp; compliance, mobile wallets, but also includes cryptocurrencies, digital assets, and trading, and many others.
This is what the complete Fintech landscape looked like at the end of 2022: 
<img src="/img/fintech1.png" alt="Fintech Map 2022" title="Fintech Map 2022">
Source: <a href="https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/top-fintech-startups-2022/">Fintech Map - 2022</a>
<h1 id="the-state-of-fintech-in-2023">The State of Fintech in 2023</h1>
Over the past decade, FinTechs have attracted over $500 billion in funding and represented around 9% of all financial services valuations globally, reaching $1.3 trillion in public valuations in 2021. 
However, in the face of a changing macroeconomic environment with factors like inflation, increasing interest rates, energy crises, and conflicts, Fintechs have experienced a decline in valuations and funding, with investors seeking safer bets focused on liquidity, profitability, and sustainability.
<img src="/img/fintech2.jpg" alt="Panagiotis Kriaris" title="Panagiotis Kriaris">
Source: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7061565703434215424/">Panagiotis Kriaris</a>
Despite the current difficulties, the future of FinTech remains promising, as it currently represents less than 2% of annual financial services revenues globally, and projections estimate that annual FinTech revenues will grow more than sixfold by 2030, reaching $1.5 trillion.
The constant need for more digitalization and innovation has put the industry under pressure and challenges in recent years. COVID-19 has supported adopting more Fintech solutions, making people keen to adopt new contactless payment or digital banking solutions.
The startup landscape is counting <a href="https://dealroom.co/uploaded/2022/04/Fintech-Q1-2022-report-1.pdf?x75805#:~:text=Fintech%20startups%20raised%20%2432.4B,compared%20to%20last%20year&#39;s%20levels.">+400 unicorns</a>; nearly 50 entered the market in 2022. Even though the valuations and numbers of exits have decreased due to the uncertain times we had this year, the decentralization of the financial industry and modern payment solutions are still on top of the list as the most invested sectors in Fintech. 
In 2021, we had new records of companies and deals raised, counting down <a href="https://tech.eu/2022/03/04/fintechs-fierce-year-for-funding-rolls-on-into-2022/">+700 deals</a> only in European firms, with €26B in total investments. Additionally, the Fintech industry has counted down some of the biggest investment deals in the past year, +60 of them being over €100M, and the largest, counting down €900M. 
<img src="/img/fintech3.png" alt="State of Fintech - Q1 2023" title="State of Fintech - Q1 2023">
Source: <a href="https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/fintech-trends-q1-2023/">State of Fintech - Q1 2023</a>
According to the same report, the global funding rebounded in Q1’23, reaching $15B, a 55% increase QoQ, while deal count fell by 2% QoQ. However, Stripe&#39;s $6.5B Series I round accounted for over 40% of the quarter&#39;s total funding. Early-stage deal share reached 72%, a new high, likely due to investor concerns over inflated valuations and uncertain public markets. 
Only one Fintech unicorn was born in Q1’23, an 86% drop in QoQ and the lowest quarterly level since 2016. The total unicorn herd stood at 314 in Q1’23, up 11% YoY, with most of the top 10 unicorns by valuation located in the US or the UK, with 60% providing B2B solutions. 
Fintech M&amp;A exits rebounded 15% QoQ to 172 deals in Q1’23, a 34% decrease from their record high of 259 in Q1’22, while IPOs ticked up slightly to hit 4, but SPACs remained at 0. Funding to banking-focused Fintech reached $0.5B in Q1’23, its lowest level since Q2’17, a 64% QoQ decrease, and deal count fell by 16% QoQ.
With more challenging conditions and a focus on fundamentals, European investors have focused on due diligence cycles and relationships with founders. For example, Ansaf Kareem, Venture Partner at Lightspeed Ventures, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/07/7-investors-reveal-whats-hot-in-fintech-in-q1-2023/?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAEFcQy8B5ifUX3pedaDcq5uGW2MAS4hGWg_Vi9VlzQ_U0U_h1B0PT_FlhGj6iaim-fK4ZovUgqoNc_EndV6RLOA-2AqRuL9LqW34pHGpuHjIozG9uDArA-9WJE8KuKCV9JZpYB86yB3zdXjz66ilL4lYh7kBbMV_P4X-ACWvswp_">mentioned in TechCrunch</a> that challenging market conditions are good, as they often create the best companies. 
Investors advise companies to focus on fundamentals, save cash, and not hesitate to raise a down round if they believe their idea can change the world. 
<h1 id="european-investors-betting-on-fintech">European Investors Betting on Fintech</h1>
The industry has been increasing fast in recent years, so many investors are actively looking to invest in promising startups. European investors, in particular, have shown a strong interest in Fintech and are closely following developments in the industry. 
Here are five top investors in Fintech who are at the forefront of this evolving landscape, with their expertise and advice valuable to any entrepreneur seeking to enter this space.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.speedinvest.com/">Speedinvest</a> — Speedinvest is a venture capital fund with more than €1B to invest in pre-Seed, Seed, and early-stage tech startups across Europe.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.kimaventures.com/">Kima Ventures</a> — Kima Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Paris, France, and invests across multiple industries, including Fintech.</li>
<li><a href="https://seedcamp.com/">Seedcamp</a> — Seedcamp is <a href="https://seedblink.com/en/2022-08-11-how-to-build-a-strong-brand-as-investors-with-natasha-lytton-from-seedcamp">Europe&#39;s seed fund</a>, identifying and investing early in world-class founders attacking large, global markets and solving real problems using technology.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.nftventures.com/">NFT Ventures</a> — is a venture capital based in Stockholm, Sweden, and is one of the leading Fintech investors in Northern Europe.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pointnine.com/">Point Nine Capital</a> — is an early-stage venture capital fund focused on backing seed-stage B2B SaaS and B2B marketplace entrepreneurs anywhere in the world.</li>
</ul>
Our list of venture capital funds represents the main examples of investors, giving a general overview of the VC landscape. Many other VCs are <a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/?lang=en">investing in Fintech startups</a>. 
Fintech is expected to keep growing, especially as the need for more digitalization and innovation puts the industry under pressure and challenges. COVID-19 has supported adopting more solutions, making people keener to adopt new contactless payment or digital banking solutions.
Also, European investors have shown a strong interest in Fintech and are closely following developments in the industry. Despite the challenging market conditions, investors advise companies to focus on fundamentals, save cash, and not hesitate to raise a down round if they believe their idea can change the world. 
<h1 id="fintech-startups-who-are-raising-funding-on-seedblink">Fintech Startups Who Are Raising Funding on SeedBlink</h1>
On the SeedBlink platform, many <a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/?lang=en">Fintech startups</a> are looking to raise investment. Pensify and Ondato are raising a round on our platform alongside Woli, Finquare, and Income which successfully closed rounds in the past two years. 
<h2 id="ondato">Ondato</h2>
Ondato is a tech company specializing in KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) compliance management using advanced AI solutions. The company aims to provide the best compliance service centre where businesses can find tailored solutions to their needs. 
Ondato&#39;s vision is to allow businesses to focus on their core activities without worrying about the complexities of compliance. With the help of cutting-edge technology, Ondato simplifies and automates compliance procedures, ensuring that businesses meet regulatory requirements efficiently and effectively.
Ondato is raising a round on SeedBlink, targeting €4.025.000, with €3.525.000 pre-committed money and <a href="https://otb.vc/">OTB Ventures</a> as lead investors. 
<a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/invest/ondato/149">Take a look at Ondato</a>.
<h2 id="pensify">Pensify</h2>
Pensify is a startup to revolutionize the pension industry by providing cross-border products that increase retirement savings for working individuals across Europe. The founders were inspired by their struggles to set up a pension plan for their Dutch SME company and discovered that many SME employers faced the same issue. Pensify aims to use innovation to tackle the outdated pension industry and provide solutions to help individuals save for a happy retirement.
Pensify is raising a round on SeedBlink, targeting €600.000, with €500.000 pre-committed money and <a href="https://www.otk-capital.com/">OTK Capital</a>, as the lead investor.
<a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/invest/pensify/151">Take a look at Pensify</a>.
<h2 id="doorway">Doorway</h2>
Doorway is an Italian-based company that aims to provide access to venture capital investments to a broader audience of investors. They believe that venture capital is an asset class with the potential to generate significant returns and act as a growth engine for an innovative, sustainable, and inclusive economy. Doorway is raising a round on SeedBlink, targeting €2.018.500, with €1.718.500 pre-committed money and <a href="https://www.cdpventurecapital.it/cdp-venture-capital/">CDP Venture Capital SGR</a> as the lead investor. 
SeedBlink and Doorway have also partnered to provide investors with unique access to high-potential investments in international tech startups and scale-ups.
<a href="https://seedblink.com/en/press-room/2023-05-06-seedblink-and-doorway-team-up-to-bring-top-tier-european-tech-startups-and-scale-ups-to-investors">Learn more about SeedBlink x Doorway.</a>
<h1 id="fintech-startups-who-raised-funding-on-seedblink">Fintech Startups Who Raised Funding on SeedBlink</h1>
These promising startups have caught the attention of investors, demonstrating their potential for growth and disruption in their respective industries. 
They have successfully raised a previous round of funding on the SeedBlink platform and are paving the way for innovative ideas to flourish in the competitive business landscape. 
<h2 id="woli">Woli</h2>
Woli is a neobank explicitly designed for the digital native generation, including kids and teens. The mission of Woli is to create a banking experience that is both memorable and relevant for this generation, with a focus on empowering them with financial freedom. The platform offers a comprehensive banking solution that includes a powerful debit card, tailored offers for teens, and a financial education platform.
Woli just had an active round on the platform, targeting €1.000.000 and closing the round at €982.500. The round started with €800.000 pre-committed money, and the lead investor was <a href="https://www.11.vc/">Eleven Ventures</a>.
<a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/invest/woli/140">Take a look at Woli.</a>
<h2 id="income">Income</h2>
Income is an alternative investment platform and mobile app that enables investors to invest in loans worldwide. The platform democratizes investing in alternative assets through a novel use of technology and implementing security features previously available only to institutional investors. It creates value by facilitating transactions between retail investors, institutional investors, and loan originators. 
Income had an active round in 2021, targeting €1.250.000 and closing at €1.200.000. The round started with €900.000 pre-committed money and added €350.000 raised through SeedBlink. 
Income is already available on the secondary market. If you want to learn more about Income and join their growth journey. Check the last valuation of Income, share price, and available selling offers on <a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/company/4/income">the bulletin board</a>!
<h2 id="finqware">Finqware</h2>
Finqware is a cloud-based SaaS product for large companies, built from scratch as an enterprise-grade secure platform with a special focus on reliability and scalability. The platform is the first open banking solution for treasury, accounting, and collections automation.
Finqware had an active round in 2022, targeting €450.000 and closing at €509.000. The round started with €250.000 pre-committed money and added €200.000 raised through SeedBlink. 
<a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/invest/finqware/110">Take a look at Finqware.</a>
<h2 id="seedblink">SeedBlink</h2>
SeedBlink has also been raising its rounds on the platforms for two years, with the last public round available in 2021. In the last round, SeedBlink raised €3.000.000, with €1.900.000 pre-committed money.
SeedBlink, alongside the abovementioned startups, is also available on the secondary market. If you want to learn more about our platform and join the growth journey. Check SeedBlink’s last valuation, share price, and available selling offers <a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/company/11/seedblink">on the bulletin board</a>!
Conclusions:
SeedBlink’s <a href="https://seedblink.com/funded-portfolio">community of Fintech startups</a> continues to grow as more solutions start to be developed in Europe, and their round goes live on the platform. 
So take a look at the <a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/?lang=en">new investment opportunities</a> from the platform, and create your investor profile today! 
<ul>
<li>The Fintech industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, and European investors have shown a strong interest in Fintech and are closely following developments in the industry. </li>
<li>Top investors in Fintech in Europe include Speedinvest, Kima Ventures, Seedcamp, Balderton Capital, and Index Ventures.</li>
<li>COVID-19 has supported adopting more solutions, making people keener to adopt new contactless payment or digital banking solutions. The startup landscape is counting +400 Fintech unicorns, and nearly 50 entered the market in 2022. </li>
<li>The global Fintech industry rebounded in Q1&#39;23, with a 55% quarter-over-quarter funding growth driven by Stripe&#39;s $6.5B raise.</li>
</ul>

An in-depth analysis of the Fintech startup ecosystem, highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities in the industry.

Industry overview: Exploring the Ever-Evolving Fintech Startup Scene

As we explore the ins and outs of startup investments in the Netherlands, we have the pleasure of introducing <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernstrustenhoven/">Ernst Rustenhoven</a>, a venture capitalist at <a href="https://www.slingshot.ventures/">Slingshot Ventures</a>.
Ernst is an enthusiastic venture capital investor dedicated to helping businesses expand through data-driven decision-making and game-changing capital infusion. His unique expertise and passion lie in working with consumer-oriented companies, particularly those shaping the future of e-commerce and retail tech. 
In this interview, we touch upon the following: 
<ul>
<li>Ernst’s unique journey in becoming a venture capital investor, coming from a family business and nurturing his skills in M&amp;A transactions and working for and in consumer-centric companies.</li>
<li>How do you balance gut feeling and data-driven decisions as an investor?</li>
<li>Future consumer unicorns in the Netherlands and what made Ernst Invest</li>
<li>How the startup ecosystem looks in the Netherlands nowadays?</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="who-is-ernst-rustenhoven">Who is Ernst Rustenhoven?</h1>
Let me introduce you to Ernst Rustenhoven, a venture capitalist at Slingshot Ventures with a passion for solving problems through data-driven decision-making. Ernst holds a master&#39;s degree in Finance from the University of Amsterdam, worked on 50+ deals during his career in M&amp;A and gained experience as an operator at e-commerce scale-up Recharge.com where he headed their strategic business development before moving to Slingshot Ventures about six years ago.
His analytical approach to problem-solving and ability to work effectively with entrepreneurs have made him a valuable asset in the venture capital world. Ernst is passionate about transforming actionable insights into business value, helping companies make better decisions, and enabling them to grow faster and improve their performance. 
Ernst brings a unique perspective to the table, allowing him to think differently and help companies accomplish the unthinkable.
<h1 id="from-family-business-to-ma-to-vc">From Family Business to M&amp;A to VC</h1>
“I thought that the most transformative moment in the history of a company, or the history of an entrepreneur, is probably when you buy or sell a company or your company. I wanted to be part of that.”
After focusing on M&amp;A for about six years, Ernst eventually joined one of his clients, where he got to experience what working in a tech startup looks like. He found it more challenging to work with multiple companies to find out what makes each company unique. 
“Coincidentally or not, while working at an M&amp;A boutique firm, I also started advising online tech companies more often. I ended up with a few deals in that space; all were consumer businesses.” 
However, after meeting with the founding partners of Slingshot Ventures, Ernst decided that the role of a VC investor encapsulates all his skills and previous experiences. 
“After doing M&amp;A for six years, I joined a company now called Recharge.com that sells digital content and payments solutions across the globe. Recharge.com grew very fast, and it was an exciting experience to work in a tech scaleup.
Doing both M&amp;A with multiple companies and working for one company is a good learning experience for any business person. As a consultant, you are always on the sideline but only partially responsible. When you are part of the company, you are directly involved in its future and actions.”
So, six years ago, Enrst joined the Amsterdam-based VC fund Slingshot Ventures, which since then invested in 25 companies. 
“I reached out to the founders of Slingshot Ventures after seeing them invest in consumer startups. Since my previous experience was focused on the same industry, I thought it would be an excellent position to join the firm, and so it was.
I got on board around the closing of the first €60M fund in 2017, and more recently we raised another €60M for the second fund. Since the inception of the fund, we have invested in about 25 companies.”
“I don’t think that I deliberately chose to become an investor. With time, I realized I love working with entrepreneurs and helping them grow their companies.
In this role, I can leverage my strengths and knowledge and experience from my previous positions, which can benefit multiple companies.” 
Ernst comes from an entrepreneurial family with his dad and brother running the family business. He shares that he always liked working in a place where he can make a difference, which is why - moving into M&amp;A at the start of his career - the big investment banks were never for him. It is still one of the reasons why he loves working in venture capital, being able to be a small part and contributor to the journey of the entrepreneurs he works with.
<h1 id="gaining-traction-despite-covid-19--insights-from-eatch--wundermart">Gaining Traction Despite COVID-19 — Insights From Eatch &amp; Wundermart</h1>
Let&#39;s explore two local startups, Eatch and Wundermart, with Ernst, who managed to gain momentum despite the pandemic. These two success stories could serve as a blueprint for becoming a unicorn in the local market.
The first company, <a href="https://wundermart.com/">Wundermart</a>, builds autonomously functioning convenience stores for hotels as an alternative to minibars. The company struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic but has gained traction and has around 150 shops across Western Europe. 
“In 2020, we invested in Wundermart, a company that builds autonomously functioning convenience stores for hotels as an alternative to minibars. Although COVID-19 significantly impacted the hotel industry shortly after our investment, Wundermart has since bounced back and is now approaching 150 shops across Western Europe. 
It&#39;s a bold mission, as it eliminates the need for each hotel room to have a mini-fridge and offers a larger product assortment with an automated checkout. We&#39;re proud to have invested in such an innovative and forward-thinking company.”
“The second company,<a href="https://eatch.me/"> Eatch</a>, works on a kitchen technology that produces about 300 meals per hour, which, if you want, are all custom-made. This innovation can genuinely disrupt the food industry, and to see it come to life and work is fantastic. 
The company is now attracting lots of interest from big companies and caterers, and it&#39;s always nice to see your personal success stories or the ones you believed in eventually do well.”
As an investor, it&#39;s important to have portfolio diversification, and these two companies are proving to be successful additions.
<h1 id="the-vc-scene-in-the-netherlands">The VC scene in the Netherlands</h1>
Many startups also emerged with the new wave of abundant capital and the local ecosystem&#39;s explosion. Ernst gives us a quick perspective on the relatively connected Dutch startup ecosystem that has allowed for greater investor cooperation.
“I joined Slingshot in 2017, at the early start of the real venture capital boom.
Since then, I have seen a lot of new funds popping up here in the Netherlands. In addition, some smaller funds built a good track record and managed to raise more significant funds.
With a new wave of abundant capital came a new wave of startups. Also, the Dutch startup ecosystem is relatively connected, so we can cooperate - which we should do much more by the way.”
Netherlands — part of the global ecosystem.
Amsterdam is a city that attracts a lot of top international talent, but Ernst thinks that it needs to catch up in terms of competitiveness for salaries or equity incentives. 
“I think it’s vital that we cooperate more with international VCs because, in the end, we are not a large country and part of a global ecosystem. This is why I think having a good connection across Western Europe and in the U.S. and other like-minded investors is very important.
Regarding consumer-centric startups, we don’t have many consumer-focused investors. Across Western Europe, I think there are between 5-10 dedicated VCs, and we should probably cooperate more.
This goes for the entire Dutch ecosystem. The Netherlands is known as a very international country, and there are a lot of opportunities to improve our current efforts.”
<h1 id="key-takeaways">Key takeaways:</h1>
<ul>
<li>Evaluating a potential investment combines an investor’s gut feeling and a rigorous approach that involves asking unexpected questions.</li>
<li>The Netherlands has seen a boom in VC funds and startups, particularly in consumer investment.</li>
<li>More cooperation among Dutch VCs and international VCs could improve access to capital for Dutch companies.</li>
<li>Building a robust Amsterdam startup ecosystem that is well-connected to international markets and capital is crucial for Dutch companies to increase their competitiveness and attract top talent.</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="resources-mentioned-in-the-discussion">Resources mentioned in the discussion:</h1>
Connect with Ernst:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernstrustenhoven/?originalSubdomain=nl">LinkedIn</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.slingshot.ventures/people/ernst-rustenhoven">Slingshot Ventures</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.slingshot.ventures/portfolio">Slingshot Ventures Portfolio</a></li>
</ul>
Others:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://wundermart.com/">Wundermart</a></li>
<li><a href="https://eatch.me/">Eatch</a></li>
</ul>

Ernst Rustenhoven, Principal at Slingshot Ventures, discusses the state of the Dutch startup ecosystem and the need for international cooperation.

Navigating the Dutch Startup Scene with Ernst Rustenhoven from Slingshot Ventures

Can you please introduce yourself and your role at Pensify?
I am Oscar van der Laan, co-founder and CEO. I have about 10 years of working experience divided between Mergers &amp; Acquisitions roles and Business Development working for Bloomon, a European B2C scaleup company. My most noteworthy experiences include working on the IPO of Takeaway.com, a debt transaction for a global transport company and selling a Dutch education technology company for a private equity investor. 
What inspired you to start Pensify and address the pension gap issue in Europe?
My parents own and operate an SME company with &lt;10 employees in the Netherlands. Witnessing their difficulties back in the day setting up a pension plan was a big realization that this industry rarely and slowly innovates. Combining this with our vision that every European deserves a happy retirement and the newly introduced European pension legislation in the Netherlands, Germany, France, and the EU wide as well as a strong, rising awareness amongst young people to save more for their retirement, I was inspired to start the company and make a change!
Could you provide some insights into the current state of pensions in Europe and the challenges faced by employers and employees?
Pensions are very much in the picture in Europe. In France, there have been riots and strikes for months purely about pension reform. The industry is dominated by old-fashioned 2nd pillar providers with outdated technology communicating to their savers via paperwork. Additionally, there currently is no pan-European flexible pension provider for SMEs, expats or freelancers as there are other investment products. 
Challenges for employers include long lead times as well as high costs and complexity via pension advisors to set up a plan. Most employees have no access since they are working in SME companies. 
How does Pensify aim to solve these challenges and make it easier for SMEs to offer pensions to their employees? 
We will provide solutions to. Pensify is fully online, app-based and with competitive costs for both the employer and employees. We will offer the product via third parties to employers easily and online within 10 minutes and so diminishing the main reasons why setting up pension plans are usually postponed. 
What are the key differentiators of Pensify&#39;s platform compared to existing pension providers in the market?
Pensify will differentiate itself due to a much shorter lead time for SME entrepreneurs, a (future) international pension plan, a mobile app and fully embedded and integrated pension solutions. 
Can you discuss the strategy of integrating Pensify&#39;s pension product into third-party platforms and how it accelerates pension connectivity for SME entrepreneurs?
We will integrate a pension product into other platforms within the financial industry to ensure pensions become available to entrepreneurs and their advisors. Our experienced tech team has been working on the innovative product since late 2022 and we will introduce more details during the summer. 
What are the advantages of partnering with Antler and how has their support contributed to Pensify&#39;s growth? 
Antler has given us the opportunity to build a founding team with only the idea of innovating the pension industry. Additionally, the Antler team provided us advice on making progress as a startup in the early days as well as helping shape the business model. Finally, their large international network and startup capital are supported as well. 
What are some of the regulatory challenges and considerations that Pensify has faced in the European pension landscape? 
In terms of regulation, Pensify has received a large boost. In March 2022, new pan-European legislation was introduced to offer pensions across borders in all 27 countries of the European Union. This provides the opportunity for Pensify to offer international companies, expats and freelancers transferable pensions for the first time! 
Challenges include the need to have the correct tax regulations per country in place as well as obtaining 1 more (EU) financial license. However, considering our research since 2022, including talking to experts, we view these challenges more as a time constraint than showstoppers.
What are the next steps for Pensify in terms of scaling and expanding its operations?
We have entered into commercial partnerships with Dutch market leaders in the financial space with whom we are piloting to third parties and SME entrepreneurs. Additionally, we have a handful of SME companies that have committed to signing up as customers once we are going live in the summer. 
Pensify will scale in the Netherlands via a highly scalable B2B2C model offering our product to a large number of SME customers at once. In early 2024, we intend to have raised a new larger financing round to roll out a partnership strategy throughout Europe. 
Are there any plans to enter new markets beyond the Netherlands? If yes, what factors would you consider for market entry?
Factors to consider are fiscal advantages, market size in terms of employers offering pensions and propensity to save amongst savers. We will not yet disclose the countries at this point, however in 2024 we will enter new Western European markets. 
Do you have any upcoming product enhancements or features that you can share with us?
We have plans to upgrade and introduce products and/or features for 2024 but we cannot share this information just yet. 
What excites you the most about the future of Pensify and the potential it holds? 
We are excited due to the strong positive interest from potential clients, (international) third parties and investors due to our competitive advantages, proposition and knowledgeable team. The team is very much looking forward to reshaping an outdated industry on the international stage and providing millions of Europeans with the retirement savings they need! 
Any final thoughts or messages for our audience?
The team is open to engaging and gaining knowledge from industry experts and/or interested investors to learn more about the (international) pension industry. We are eager to receive input on many important aspects of the business, such as commercial traction, international expansion, tax and pension laws, etc. We are looking forward to conquering the pension industry together! 
Pensify raises €600,000 to offer European SMEs easy pensions for their employees, via integrations into third-party platforms. <a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/invest/pensify/151">Explore the round materials here</a>.

In this exclusive interview, we had the opportunity to speak with Oscar van der Laan, co-founder and CEO of Pensify, a pioneering fintech company aimed at transforming the pension landscape in Europe. With a vision to provide every European with a secure and fulfilling retirement, Pensify is revolutionizing the industry with its innovative approach. Keep on reading! 

Bridging the Pension Gap: Insights from Oscar van der Laan

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind starting Soolutions?
The vision behind Soolutions was always two-fold. On one hand, we wanted to simplify the end-user experience in the EV charging market; on the other hand, we also aimed to create a robust and dynamic ecosystem that caters to the needs of various stakeholders, including resellers, installers, suppliers, and homeowners.
Starting with homeowners, they are often at the forefront of the EV transition and face the daunting task of making their homes EV-ready. Soolutions assists them by providing an easy-to-navigate platform that offers a vast range of charging solutions. The Charge Wizard, a tool we developed, helps homeowners identify the most suitable charging solution including installation for their needs. This simplicity and personalized approach make the transition to EV more manageable and less intimidating
Now, turning to our partners – resellers, installers, and suppliers. Each of them plays a critical role in the EV charging infrastructure, and Soolutions aims to empower them by offering a platform that can cater to their unique needs.
• For resellers, Soolutions provides a broad product portfolio and an intuitive platform to effectively manage and sell these products. We also offer detailed product training, sales and marketing guidance, and technical support to ensure they&#39;re well-equipped to succeed.
• Installers, on the other hand, gain access to a diverse customer base and a seamless process to coordinate installation projects. Our platform helps them manage their projects more efficiently, allowing them to focus on their core competency - installation services.
• For suppliers, Soolutions acts as an extended sales channel, increasing the visibility and reach of their products. We also provide feedback and insights about market trends and customer preferences, helping suppliers stay ahead of the curve and optimize their offerings.
Looking at the broader perspective, the Soolutions platform plays a key role in the overall electrification of homes. As we transition towards renewable energy and smart homes, the need for an integrated and user-friendly platform becomes crucial. Soolutions can serve as that hub, bridging various energy solutions - from EV charging to solar energy, storage solutions, and beyond. This positions us as a key player in a much larger, future-oriented market, where electricity is not just about mobility but about our everyday lives.
In summary, Soolutions is not just simplifying the EV charging experience for homeowners; we&#39;re building an ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders involved in the EV charging infrastructure - resellers, installers, suppliers, and ultimately, homeowners. It&#39;s an inclusive platform that empowers individuals and businesses alike, contributing to a seamless and efficient transition towards a more electrified future.
The electric vehicle market is rapidly growing. How does Soolutions plan to facilitate this market and accelerate the rollout of charging stations?
The exponential growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market is a remarkable shift towards sustainable mobility, and Soolutions is poised to facilitate this transition by providing an essential element - efficient and accessible charging solutions. However, it&#39;s not just about the volume of charging stations, but also about the quality of the experience for EV users and the efficiency of the rollout process for our partners.
To facilitate this, we have developed an innovative B2B2C marketplace that connects industry players with end consumers. Our platform provides a wide array of high-quality EV charging solutions, accommodating the varied needs of our diverse user base. We cater not only to homeowners seeking suitable charging options for their personal vehicles but also to businesses looking for efficient, scalable solutions for their fleets or customers.
Our unique Charge Wizard tool further supports this mission. This tool helps homeowners and businesses alike identify the most fitting charging solutions for their specific scenarios, streamlining the process and ensuring they make informed decisions.
Now, to accelerate the rollout of charging stations, we have constructed a robust ecosystem comprising resellers, installers, and suppliers. This network effect is one of our key success factors. Each new partner added to our platform enhances the value and reach of our offerings, leading to faster deployment and better coverage of charging infrastructure. Resellers have access to a wide range of products and comprehensive support, ensuring they can effectively cater to their customers. Installers benefit from seamless coordination of projects, while suppliers gain extended visibility for their products.
By integrating all these elements - a comprehensive marketplace, an intelligent selection tool, and a strong partner network - we&#39;re actively speeding up the charging infrastructure rollout. At the same time, we&#39;re readying ourselves for the broader electrification of homes, considering that the future holds much more than just EV charging. As we embrace renewable energy, smart homes, and energy storage solutions, Soolutions is prepared to serve as a central hub for these interconnected solutions, contributing to an overall greener and more efficient future.
In summary, Soolutions is actively facilitating the rapidly growing EV market by making the process of selecting, purchasing, and installing charging stations simpler and more efficient. We&#39;re not just keeping pace with the growth, but catalyzing it - ensuring a smoother transition towards sustainable mobility.
Soolutions has developed a B2B2C marketplace that links industry players to end-consumers. Could you explain how this marketplace works and the value it brings to both businesses and consumers?
At its core, our platform is a robust, interconnected network that connects manufacturers and distributors of EV charging solutions (the &#39;B2B&#39; side) directly with the end-users - homeowners and businesses (the &#39;C&#39; side). The goal of our platform is to simplify the process of purchasing and installing EV charging solutions, thereby helping to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
For our industry partners, the benefits of our platform are manifold. Resellers, for example, have access to a broad range of high-quality EV charging solutions, which allows them to offer an extensive array of products to their customers. Moreover, they receive comprehensive support from us, including access to our unique Charge Wizard tool that aids in product selection, training materials, and marketing resources. This ultimately results in increased sales and a larger customer reach.
Our installer partners benefit from efficient project coordination and the ability to find new potential projects, allowing them to focus on their core competencies and deliver high-quality service. Similarly, our supplier partners gain extended visibility for their products and access to a broader customer base, thus improving their market penetration.
On the consumer end, homeowners and businesses benefit from a straightforward, hassle-free way to identify, purchase, and install the best EV charging solutions for their specific scenarios. Our Charge Wizard tool guides them through the selection process, ensuring they make an informed decision that perfectly fits their needs.
But it&#39;s not just about EV charging. As we move towards a future where the broader electrification of homes becomes increasingly prevalent, our platform is poised to serve as a central hub for these interconnected solutions. We aim to cater to the needs of our end users not just today, but also tomorrow.
In essence, our B2B2C marketplace fosters a symbiotic relationship between industry players and consumers, enabling an efficient, customer-centric EV charging market, and paving the way for the wider electrification of homes. By making the process of selecting, purchasing, and installing EV charging solutions simpler, we are contributing to the broader goal of promoting sustainable mobility.
Soolutions has achieved significant traction with €1.6M in revenue in 2022 and over 300 partners signed up. How has the company managed to attract such strong partnerships, and what advantages does this bring to Soolutions&#39; customers?
Our success in achieving such significant traction, particularly in the form of our 2022 revenue and growing network of partners, can largely be attributed to the unique value proposition we offer to all parties involved. I&#39;ve carried the lessons from my time at ChargePoint, Alfen, and others into the founding of Soolutions, with an emphasis on the importance of strong partnerships.
Our industry partners - resellers, installers, and suppliers - appreciate the simplicity and reach of our platform. For resellers, we provide an extensive range of products from a variety of suppliers, reducing the complexity of managing multiple relationships. Our Charge Wizard tool, along with the provided training and marketing materials, helps them provide more value to their customers and, ultimately, increase their sales.
Installers gain efficient project coordination and the potential for new projects, allowing them to focus on what they do best - installing EV charging solutions. Meanwhile, suppliers gain access to a broader customer base through our resellers, improving their market penetration.
This extensive network of partners not only contributes to our own growth but also creates a virtuous cycle that ultimately benefits our end users - homeowners and businesses. With a more extensive range of products to choose from and the ease of installation provided through our network of installer partners, customers find the process of setting up an EV charging solution at their premises simplified and streamlined.
At the same time, this network enables us to leverage our combined knowledge and expertise to ensure we stay at the forefront of the industry. In the rapidly evolving field of EV charging, this collaborative approach strengthens our position and ensures we can continually offer the best solutions to our customers. In essence, our strong partnerships amplify the effectiveness of our platform, and this, in turn, leads to improved outcomes for our end users.
Soolutions is raising €2M to scale its 
home electric vehicles charging marketplace. <a href="https://investors.seedblink.com/invest/soolutions/150">Explore the round materials here.</a>

Soolutions' visionary approach and commitment to simplifying the EV charging experience have positioned the company as a key player in the industry. By fostering strong partnerships and leveraging their B2B2C marketplace, Soolutions aims to accelerate the growth of the EV market, facilitate the rollout of charging stations, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. Read more about their vision in this interview with the founder. 

 Empowering the EV Charging Ecosystem

I love the SeedBlink ecosystem and the opportunities provided for the broader community. The angel investing ecosystem in Europe is pretty immature – finding great deals or handling the paperwork for equity investments is expensive and time-consuming. Creating a marketplace for great deals and providing low-effort crowdfunding is introducing more and more people to startup investing. The lower bar (minimum requirements) makes this accessible to first-time investors, too.


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Florin Pop

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