Fintech Opengamma secures $10m funding led by London investor Dawn Capital April 3, 2019 Derivative analytics platform Opengamma has secured $10m (£7.6m) in funding led by London early stage investor Dawn Capital. The funding will allow Opengamma, which has doubled the size of its workforce and customer base over the last 12 months, to expand its teams in London, New York and Singapore and launch new products in the collateral [...]
Challenger banks Oaknorth and Monzo team up to launch savings accounts March 21, 2019 Fintech banks Oaknorth and Monzo have launched a partnership that will allow Monzo users access to a high-interest savings account for the first time. The challenger bank tie-up will allow customers to open a range of savings accounts, with rates of up to 1.55 per cent, within minutes in the Monzo app. An easy-access cash [...]
Simplybiz acquires financial adviser platform Defaqto for £74m March 20, 2019 Simplybiz has acquired financial adviser fintech firm Defaqto for £74.3m. Shares in AIM-listed Simplybiz, a compliance and business services provider, rose more than four per cent on the news. Read more: Business software M&A hits five-year high The combination will create a single fintech and support services group, and the acquisition is expected to enhance earnings during the first [...]
The UK government should take inspiration from an unlikely source when writing its post-Brexit migration plan March 19, 2019 Another day, another chance for UK politics to reach hitherto unimaginable levels of farce. But while Downing Street reels over speaker John Bercow's characteristically dramatic intervention, it's worth remembering that the government is capable of making a complete mess of many things – not just Brexit. Take immigration, for example. We have a Prime Minister who [...]
DEBATE: Could France overtake Britain for tech investment? March 18, 2019 Could France overtake Britain for tech investment? Kat Borlongan, director of the French Tech Mission, says YES. There are number of misconceptions around doing business in France. A language barrier and extensive bureaucracy have perhaps deterred investors from funding some of the best tech startups, specialising in everything from artificial intelligence to smart cities. But these [...]
Mobile bank N26 targets UK expansion with general manager appointment March 14, 2019 European mobile bank N26 has appointed a new general manager to drive forward UK expansion as it steps up competition against rivals such as Monzo and Revolut. Former Morgan Stanley investment banker Will Sorby has joined the Berlin-based digital bank, which operates in 24 markets across Europe, following its UK launch in October last year. Read [...]
Google paid $105m to two executives accused of sexual harassment March 12, 2019 Google paid a total of $105m (£79m) to two executives after they were accused of sexual harassment, according to court documents released last night. The lawsuit, filed by shareholder James Martin, confirms previous reports that Android creator Andy Rubin was paid $90m after he allegedly coerced sex from a colleague. Read more: Fintech superstar Marta [...]
Business software M&A hits five-year high March 11, 2019 Business software merger and acquisition value hit a five-year high in 2018 driven by the rapid growth of technology firms. New research shows that enterprise software M&A was $182.2bn last year, and that a total of 629 deals were completed in the second half, up 35 per cent from a low of 465 deals in the [...]
Revolut fights back: Nik Storonsky on negative press, growing pains and what’s next March 11, 2019 Revolut has endured a torrid start to 2019. Drawing the City watchdog’s attention after causing concerns by temporarily shutting down its sanctions screening system last year, the fintech starlet was revealed to have lost its finance chief, and drew further negative publicity when a customer complained of a bungled £70,000 payment. Its woes were compounded [...]
Why brands like Burger King are using internet troll tactics in their marketing campaigns March 10, 2019 Trolls have a bad reputation, deservedly so. In case you’ve been living under the proverbial rock and are unfamiliar with the term, an internet troll is someone who deliberately tries to provokes an argument or reaction online, usually by saying nasty or offensive things. Read more: DEBATE: Was Facebook right to ban Tommy Robinson? Trolling [...]