According to the World Bank, 90% of businesses worldwide qualify as small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs — also known as small- and medium-sized businesses, or SMBs), and they account for about half of global GDP. But in a Federal Reserve survey from 2023, only 34% of US-based small businesses said they currently accept digital or mobile payments, pointing to just one of the many openings for digitization in the US and abroad. 

Financial institutions and private tech companies alike are stepping up to the plate. 

Several major banks and leaders are expanding their small business services, including: PayPal, which is growing its ecosystem of SMB services; Fiserv, which is expecting revenue to double in the next 2 years for its small-merchant POS system, Clover; and Mastercard, which launched 10 new small business programs over the last year.

Meanwhile, the landscape of private tech companies developing financial solutions for SMBs continues to evolve. In the market map below, we identify 105 tech companies offering fintech tailored to SMBs across 14 different markets. We organized markets by major divisions in financial operations:

• HR: These solutions help small businesses manage employee benefits and payments. 
• Payments: Vendors in this category assist companies in managing payments both within and outside their business, integrating payment acceptance and processing into customer-facing platforms, and overseeing expenses. 
• Lending: These platforms and tools enable small businesses to access loans and other forms of financing for business growth.
• Banking: These companies help finance teams manage their businesses’ liquidity and track real-time cash positions.

Please click to enlarge.

To identify players for this market map, we included startups with a CB Insights Mosaic score (a proprietary measure of private company health and growth) of 400 or greater that raised funding since January 1, 2023. We then filtered that list based on whether companies have offerings targeting small and medium businesses. Categories are not mutually exclusive and are not intended to be exhaustive.

Key takeaways

1. Investors have concentrated SMB fintech funding on foundational solutions, like embedded payments infrastructure and spend management. Financial services infrastructure has established itself as a must-have for SMBs: embedded payments tools ($9.6B), spend management platforms ($3.5B), and enterprise cross-border payments ($3.4B) have collectively raised 77% of all funding across markets on the map since 2020. This dynamic highlights the need for SMBs to establish essential financial systems before layering new technologies on top.
2. Investors and financial institutions should focus on solutions that flexibly integrate with existing systems. Small businesses are willing to cherry-pick the solutions that will drive the highest ROI, rather than overhauling their entire tech stack. Within payments markets, accounts payable (AP) automation companies have attracted 3x more funding than AR automation companies ($2.2B vs. $733M) and, perhaps more significantly, more than 6x as many partnerships (287 vs. 44). These indicators not only point to AP automation’s clearer ROI for SMB users (who may have more payables to process than receivables), but also to SMBs’ selectiveness about where and when they invest in technology. For the tech companies themselves, emphasizing a range of integration partners will help prove the value and ease of adopting their solutions.
3. The growth in digital-native SMBs is driving early-stage growth and valuations for tech-enabled borrowing. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the 43 deals for revenue-based financing platforms since 2020 have been early-stage. The high share of early-stage activity suggests that there are still numerous entry points for disruptive fintechs, especially as the companies they serve — such as e-commerce, SaaS, and digital brands — continue to evolve. At the same time, investors are placing a high premium on revenue-based financing solutions: multiple SMB-focused companies in the market (Wayflyer, Pipe, and Clearco) are unicorns, compared to only 1 in the market for invoice finance (C2FO).

Market descriptions

HR

Earned wage access (EWA) platforms

The earned wage access (EWA) platforms market provides solutions for employees to access their earned wages before scheduled paydays, addressing financial stress and reducing reliance on high-cost credit options. These platforms integrate with existing payroll systems to verify earned wages and facilitate immediate transfers to employees’ accounts. Many providers also offer additional financial wellness tools such as budgeting assistance, savings features, and financial education resources. EWA platforms serve various industries including retail, healthcare, and manufacturing, typically targeting HR managers and payroll administrators seeking to improve employee retention and productivity.

Benefits administration

The benefits administration market provides solutions to help human resources teams manage their employee benefits programs. These platforms look across health insurance, wellness programs, and more. Providers often have features to support employee enrollment and participation analytics. The market is driven by the need for employers to attract and retain top talent, comply with government regulations, and provide a competitive and targeted benefits package.

Cash forecasting software

The cash forecasting software market uses historical data, financial algorithms, and predictive analytics to forecast future cash flows accurately. Cash forecasting software helps businesses improve cash flow visibility, identify potential cash gaps or surpluses, and mitigate liquidity risks. These solutions typically integrate with existing ERP systems, accounting software, and banking platforms to aggregate financial data. The platforms also facilitate scenario modeling, enabling organizations to simulate different financial scenarios and assess the impact on cash flows.

Enterprise cross-border payments platforms

The enterprise cross-border payments platforms market enables businesses to send and collect payments globally. Companies in this market offer currency exchange solutions that help users monitor exchange rates and hedge currency risk. Some companies also provide specialized solutions for different industries. In addition to enterprise solutions, many providers in this market also offer consumer-specific solutions.

Accounts receivable (AR) automation

The accounts receivable (AR) automation market streamlines invoicing and payment collection processes. Vendors provide APIs and software development kits that allow companies to embed accounts receivable functionalities into their enterprise resource planning software, customer relationship management systems, and other digital platforms. The tools allow automated invoicing, payment reminders and processing, cash application, credit management, and more.

Spend management platforms

The spend management platforms market enables businesses to efficiently manage and control their expenditures through integrated software solutions, including virtual corporate cards, expense management systems, procurement software, and budget tracking tools. Vendors use APIs and cloud-based platforms to integrate these solutions into existing financial and operational systems, allowing for real-time visibility into spending patterns, automated approval workflows, and enhanced compliance controls. These platforms streamline financial processes, reduce administrative burdens, and provide AI-powered insights, helping organizations optimize budgets, negotiate better terms with suppliers, and achieve cost savings.

Embedded payments infrastructure

The embedded payments infrastructure market provides API-based solutions that enable companies to integrate payment processing into non-banking digital platforms without building the infrastructure from scratch. These solutions use APIs and software development kits to embed payment functionalities into software applications, websites, IoT devices, and digital ecosystems. Companies in this market offer features including simplified integration, fraud detection, subscription management, and customized security parameters. The technology primarily serves e-commerce, SaaS platforms, marketplaces, and financial institutions looking to enhance user experience and monetize transactions.

Buy now pay later (BNPL) — B2B payments

The buy now pay later (BNPL) — B2B payments market offers flexible financing options for businesses to enhance their purchasing power and manage their working capital and cash flow by acquiring goods or services immediately and paying for them in installments over time. BNPL solutions in the B2B market provide streamlined application processes, quick approvals, and transparent terms for businesses to make purchases and manage their payments efficiently. These solutions typically include online platforms, embedded finance tools, or integrated payment systems that enable point-of-sale financing decisions. Key features include flexible payment terms, automated credit decisioning, and integration with existing procurement and financial systems to provide businesses with tailored payment plans.

Accounts payable (AP) automation

The accounts payable automation market allows businesses to streamline and automate invoice processing and payment activities. Vendors provide platforms that integrate with existing enterprise resource planning systems and accounting software through APIs and software development kits. These platforms automate invoice capture and matching, data extraction, approval workflows, and payment processing, reducing manual tasks and minimizing errors. This integration improves operational efficiency, enhances cash flow management, strengthens vendor relationships, and supports compliance with financial regulations.

Lending

Lending marketplaces

The lending marketplaces market includes online platforms that connect lenders and borrowers through digital technologies. These platforms use data analytics, automation, and AI to streamline the lending process and provide access to credit for individuals and small businesses who may be underserved by traditional financial institutions. The market serves both borrowers seeking competitive loan options and lenders looking to expand their customer base and optimize lending rates. These platforms typically offer features such as loan comparison tools, financial education resources, simplified application processes, and tailored services for specific customer segments.

Revenue-based financing platforms

The revenue-based financing platforms market offers an alternative funding approach where businesses exchange a percentage of future revenues for upfront capital without traditional equity dilution or fixed-interest debt. These platforms use proprietary algorithms and data analytics to evaluate financial health, growth potential, and creditworthiness to determine funding amounts and repayment terms. Primary users include e-commerce companies, SaaS businesses, and digital-native ventures with predictable revenue streams. Key features include automated underwriting processes, flexible repayment schedules tied to business performance, and rapid funding decisions. These solutions enable businesses to fund marketing, inventory, product development, and operations while maintaining ownership control.

Trade & supply chain finance

The trade & supply chain finance market facilitates loans and financial instruments for businesses engaged in global trade, helping them optimize cash flows and mitigate risks associated with cross-border transactions. Vendors offer digital platforms with financing solutions such as letters of credit, invoice financing, and guarantees, leveraging technologies like blockchain, AI, and APIs to streamline operations. These solutions integrate with supply chain management systems and banking ecosystems to improve transparency, enhance operational efficiency, and accelerate financial settlements, enabling businesses to strengthen trade relationships and expand globally.

Invoice finance

The invoice finance market provides technology solutions that enable businesses to access funds against their unpaid invoices. Through APIs and user-friendly software, these platforms connect companies needing immediate cash flow with funders willing to advance payments on outstanding invoices. Solutions range from dedicated invoice financing platforms to broader financial management systems with invoice finance capabilities. These technologies simplify invoice processing, enhance transparency, and expedite funding timelines while reducing paperwork burden. The market includes factoring services, invoice discounting platforms, early payment programs, and integrated financial operation systems that facilitate better cash flow management.

Treasury & cash management solutions

The treasury & cash management solutions market provides software and platforms for treasurers, CFOs, and finance teams to manage liquidity and gain real-time cash position visibility. These solutions connect directly to bank accounts, aggregate financial data, and deliver actionable insights in a centralized platform. Key capabilities include payment automation, cash flow forecasting, fraud protection, and bank connectivity APIs. The market helps organizations streamline financial operations, reduce manual processes, and enhance decision-making through automated transaction tagging and AI-powered analytics.

RELATED CB INSIGHTS RESEARCH

• State of Fintech Q1’25 Report
• The future of the customer journey: AI agents take control of the buying process
• Shopify’s next move: How the e-commerce giant is evolving into a full-stack platform for commerce and media

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But one deal — a $2B minority round for crypto exchange Binance — made up nearly 20% of the funding. And global dealmaking declined for the fourth straight quarter.

Amid the mixed bag in funding, though, several areas of momentum stand out: AI, crypto, and digital banking.

Download the full report to access comprehensive data and charts on the evolving state of fintech. 

Key takeaways from the report include:

• Fintech funding gets a big boost from Binance. Funding to fintech companies increased 18% in Q1’25, its biggest jump in 3 quarters. The metric topped $10B for the first time in 2 years, propped up by 1 big deal: crypto exchange Binance’s $2B corporate minority round. Without that deal, Q1’25 funding would have trailed Q4’24.
• AI is gathering steam in fintech. AI companies raised a record 16% of all fintech deals in Q1’25. AI’s steady increase in deal share follows trends in the broader venture market. AI companies’ share of fintech deals has more than doubled since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022.
• Crypto is resurging with investors. More than half (52%) of the biggest early-stage deals went to companies developing digital asset solutions, including blockchain tech, crypto exchanges, payments platforms, security, and more. The quarter also saw a new crypto banking unicorn.
• Digital banking remains resilient. Despite funding and deals declining in Q1’25, digital banking companies have the highest average CB Insights Mosaic score, which measures business health and growth potential, among all fintech verticals. Challenger banks are fueling the high scores: 6 of the 7 digital banking companies with Mosaic scores of more than 900 fall into the category. 

We dive into the trends below.

Fintech funding gets a big boost from Binance

Funding to fintech companies increased 18% in Q1’25 — its biggest jump in 3 quarters — and topped $10B for the first time in 2 years. 

But one-fifth of the funding came from 1 deal: crypto exchange Binance’s $2B corporate minority round from Abu Dhabi-based AI investor MGX. 

The massive round was the largest ever investment in a crypto company. Along with other finserv leaders’ activity — such as Stripe’s October 2024 acquisition of stablecoin platform Bridge for $1.1B — the deal is a marker of growing institutional interest in digital currencies.

Meanwhile, dealmaking fell by 3% to 777 to mark a fourth straight quarter of decline.

Overall, big rounds made up a larger share of fintech funding in the quarter. Mega-rounds (deals of $100M+) made up 44% of all funding, their highest quarterly share since Q1’23. That said, the total number of mega-rounds in the quarter still declined to 14 in Q1’25, down from 22 in Q4’24.

Mega-round recipients included a mid-stage digital bank (Mercury), a late-stage buy now, pay later provider (Tabby), and an early-stage credit card issuer (Plata). Investors also backed substantial rounds in digital currencies: in addition to Binance, mega-rounds went to an early-stage DeFi player (ZENMEV) and a mid-stage crypto wallet (Phantom).

AI is gathering steam in fintech

In line with the broader venture market, AI companies make up a growing share of fintech dealmaking. 

AI companies that offer fintech solutions raised 16% (122) of all fintech deals in Q1’25. AI companies’ share of fintech deals has more than doubled since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in late 2022.

AI’s share of total fintech funding also ticked up in Q1’25, to 17%. The biggest deal to an AI-powered fintech company was a $200M round for home equity line of credit provider Figure, which is using AI to speed up loan originations and other processes. 

Explore 1,200+ AI fintech companies

Crypto is resurging with investors

Investors’ interest in crypto jumped in Q1’25.

Along with significant rounds for several mid- and late-stage digital currency companies, investors also poured money into early-stage crypto: 52% of the biggest seed and Series A deals in the quarter went to companies developing digital asset solutions — up from just 24% of the top early-stage deals in Q4’24.

Meanwhile, Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum was one of the quarter’s 3 new fintech unicorns. 

The strength in crypto investment across metrics (mega-rounds, early-stage deals, unicorns) sets the stage for blockchain to play a larger role long-term across financial services like payments and investment. 

Track 8K+ companies in the Blockchain Expert Collection

Digital banking remains resilient

Despite a quarter when digital banking funding and deals both declined, digital banking companies remain resilient.

Among major fintech verticals, digital banking companies have the highest average CB Insights Mosaic score — which measures private-company health and growth potential — across all fintech verticals. 

Challenger banks are fueling the high scores: 6 of the 7 digital banking companies with Mosaic scores of 900+ fall into the category. 

This includes US-based Mercury, which raised the second-largest equity deal in Q1’25: a $300M Series C round from investors including Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz. The company, which provides business banking, says the new funding will support acquisitions and expansion.

Other high-Mosaic challenger banks that raised funding in Q1’25 are establishing themselves in market niches that have proven more difficult for traditional banks. For instance, Varo focuses on serving the underbanked, and raised a $29M Series G round in February 2025. Moniepoint, which is based in Nigeria, raised a $10M Series C-II round from Visa in January and is building payment and banking networks in Africa. 

Track 850+ companies in the Digital Banking Expert Collection

MORE FINTECH RESEARCH FROM CB INSIGHTS

• State of Fintech 2024 report
• Our 6 predictions for the insurance space in 2025
• The future of the customer journey: AI agents take control of the buying process
• The generative AI in financial services market map

For information on reprint rights or other inquiries, please contact reprints@cbinsights.com.

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However, some positive signals are emerging, including growing deal sizes and a pickup in M&A, with a focus on cybersecurity capabilities.

Download the full report to access comprehensive data and charts on the evolving state of fintech across sectors, geographies, and more.

Key takeaways from the report include:

• Fintech dealmaking continues downward trend in 2024. Annual fintech deals and funding both dropped to 7-year lows in 2024. While deals dropped by 17% YoY to a total of 3,580, funding fell by 20% to $33.7B.
• One positive signal: bigger deals. The median fintech deal size increased to $4M in 2024 — marking a 33% jump YoY — with deal sizes rising across every major global region. Across fintech sectors, the biggest jump occurred in banking, where the median deal size rose by 70% YoY to reach $8.5M. Though fintech saw fewer deals overall in 2024, the increase in deal sizes suggests that investors are writing bigger checks for companies with compelling growth potential.
• M&A activity is also picking up. Fintech M&A exits jumped 24% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) to 189 in Q4’24, with Stripe’s $1.1B purchase of stablecoin platform Bridge marking the quarter’s largest deal. Overall, fintech saw a total of 664 M&A exits in 2024 (up 6% YoY) as financial services companies sought to diversify their capabilities and build full-service platforms.
• Mature banking companies are catching the eyes of investors. Banking saw mid- and late-stage deals rise to 38% of its total deal volume in 2024 (vs. 21% in 2023), outpacing the 4 percentage point increase in fintech more broadly. Uncertainty about new banking technology and regulatory volatility — particularly among banking-as-a-service players — is likely driving investors to more proven solutions.
• Payments tech ends 2024 as a bright spot. Five of the top 10 equity deals in Q4’24 went to companies building payments solutions, from mobile payments apps to cross-border payments enablement tools to platforms digitizing B2B payments. This concentration of large deals within payments tech reflects the ongoing push to digitize commerce and business exchanges. 

We dive into the trends below.

Fintech dealmaking continues downward trend in 2024

In 2024, annual fintech funding and dealmaking both decreased YoY, hitting 7-year lows.

However, there are signs that the fintech market is steadying. The annual decline in funding was fintech’s smallest in 3 years. Meanwhile, at the quarterly level, funding rebounded to close the year strong, increasing 11% QoQ to reach $8.5B in Q4’24.

One positive signal: bigger deals

While there are fewer fintech deals overall, deal sizes are climbing. 

Following 2 consecutive years of decline, the median deal size in fintech jumped 33% YoY in 2024.

Across fintech sectors, banking saw the biggest jump in median deal size in 2024 — a 70% YoY increase to $8.5M. 

This shift reflects increased investor selectivity in the current market. Companies that pass more rigorous due diligence are attracting larger investments, even as overall deal volume remains constrained.

CBI customers: Track 20K+ fintech companies

M&A activity is also picking up

Fintech M&A deals jumped 24% QoQ in Q4’24. 

US-based companies captured 8 of the largest 10 deals, including the top 5. Stripe’s $1.1B acquisition of Bridge was the largest of the quarter.

The quarterly increase points to broader stirrings of an M&A resurgence: for the year, fintech M&A exits rose by 6% YoY to 664 deals in 2024. 

Acquirers are boosting capabilities across functions. For instance, Stripe’s purchase of stablecoin platform Bridge gives the company a stronger standing in the reinvigorated market for digital assets and boosts its cross-border payment capabilities. The deal also emphasizes stablecoins’ growing role in driving accessibility and stability within crypto’s current wave.

Bolstering cybersecurity was also a focus for acquirers in Q4’24, pointing to financial services companies’ push to integrate fraud detection in their product offerings. For example, in November 2024, IT company N-able bought Adlumin, which deploys its solutions to financial firms, to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities. In October, Socure — specializing in digital identity verification — acquired Effectiv to enhance its AI-driven fraud detection capabilities.

Search recently funded fintech companies with high M&A probabilities

Mature banking companies are catching the eyes of investors

Early-stage deals made up a larger share of fintech investment activity in 2022-23, suggesting that investors shifted their focus toward nascent innovation requiring smaller capital commitments during the market slowdown.

The trend shifted in 2024, particularly in the banking sector. While mid- and late-stage deal share rose by 4 percentage points YoY across fintech broadly, it jumped 17 percentage points in banking. 

See 140+ high-potential mid- and late-stage startups

Recent volatility in banking-as-a-service — such as Synapse’s bankruptcy in April — and intensified regulatory scrutiny are likely driving investors to more proven solutions.

Payments tech ends 2024 as a bright spot

Five of the 10 biggest fintech deals in Q4’24 went to payments companies, capping a relatively strong quarter for the sector. Despite a YoY decline, funding to payments companies rose by 20% QoQ to $1.8B in Q4’24.

Argentina-based mobile payments company Ualá secured a $300M Series E in Q4’24, tying home equity release firm Splitero for the largest round of the quarter.

Of the top payments deals, two went to companies automating accounts payable and other aspects of B2B payments (Melio and ASAAS). The opportunity to digitize B2B payments continues to expand, especially since businesses in many geographies still rely on manual processes.

B2B payments tech market ranking

Related resources from CB Insights:

• State of Venture 2024 Report
• 15 tech trends to watch closely in 2025
• Fintech 100: The most promising fintech startups of 2024
• The generative AI in financial services market map
• Prioritizing B2B payments tech: How 9 tech-driven markets stack up across maturity and momentum

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For companies interested in the future of fintech, these startups — working on everything from deploying novel AI solutions across the landscape to expanding access to financial services — should be on your radar for partnership and investment opportunities.

The list primarily includes early- and mid-stage startups driving innovation across fintech. Our research team picked winning companies based on CB Insights datasets, including deal activity, industry partnerships, team strength, investor strength, employee headcount, and proprietary Commercial Maturity and Mosaic scores. We also dug into Analyst Briefings submitted directly to us by startups.

Please click to enlarge.

Here is a summary of the 2024 Fintech 100 cohort highlights:

• The 100 winners include 13 wealth management companies, 11 in embedded finance, and 10 in insurance.
• $7.2B in equity funding raised over time, including more than $2B in 2024 so far (as of 10/23/2024).
• Nearly 50% are early-stage companies (primarily seed/angel or Series A).
• 52 companies from outside the United States, across 23 countries on 6 continents. This includes 17 companies from 11 emerging and developing economies.
• 850+ business relationships since 2022, including with industry leaders like Mastercard, State Street, and Flipkart.

Companies are categorized by their primary focus area and client base. Categories in the market map are not mutually exclusive.

CB Insights customers can interact with the entire Fintech 100 list here and view a detailed category breakdown using the Expert Collection.

2024 FINTECH 100 COHORT HIGHLIGHTS

Funding and valuations

The 2024 Fintech 100 winners have raised $7.2B across 370+ disclosed equity deals to date (as of 10/23/2024).

Gaming payments company Coda Payments and rent rewards company Bilt Rewards lead all winners in disclosed equity funding (with $715M and $560M in funding, respectively). 

In 2024 so far, this year’s winners have raised just over $2B across 72 disclosed equity deals.

Three winners have raised mega-rounds ($100M+ deals) in 2024 so far: 

• Bilt Rewards — $200M Series C, $150M Series C – II
• Akur8 — $120M Series C
• FundGuard — $100M Series C

Just 5 companies on this year’s list have reached unicorn status (a $1B+ valuation). Amid the broader venture slowdown, just one winner has hit unicorn status in 2024 so far: Pennylane, a France-based financial management and accounting platform for businesses.

Customers: explore all Fintech 100 deals

Stage breakdown and commercial maturity

Nearly half — 48 — of this year’s Fintech 100 winners are early-stage companies (primarily seed/angel or Series A).

More than 60% of the companies on the list (62) have a CB Insights Commercial Maturity score — which measures a private company’s current ability to compete for customers or serve as a partner — of 4, or Scaling. This indicates they are gaining market traction and growing clients, partners, headcount, and revenue. 

Twenty-six winners have a score of 3, or Deploying, which means they have validated ideas and are beginning commercial distribution.

Top investors

Plug and Play Ventures leads all venture capital (VC) firms, including CVC firms, in the number of winners backed. The 2024 Fintech 100 companies in its portfolio operate across financial management and accounting (Finally), capital markets (FundGuard), payment acceptance (AiFi, Fintoc), banking (Tuum), wealth management (Boldin), and payroll (WorkPay). 

Meanwhile, General Catalyst leads in the total number of investments in the 2024 Fintech 100, as it has invested 13 times across 6 companies. It has invested in Bilt Rewards, financial management & accounting firm Collective, alternative credit scoring company Nova Credit, cross-border payments platform Finom, student loan management platform Summer, and AI agent Powder.

Geographic distribution

Just over half (52) of this year’s Fintech 100 winners are based outside of the United States. The United Kingdom leads all non-US countries with 12 winners, and Canada and Singapore are tied for second with 6 companies each. 

Seventeen companies on this year’s list come from 11 emerging and developing economies (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kenya, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay). Many of these winners are focused on solutions driving financial inclusion and accessibility for groups like small businesses and consumers building their credit.

Headcount growth

This year’s Fintech 100 winners collectively employ more than 18,000 people. Median year-over-year headcount growth is more than 30%.

Bilt leads all winners with $3.1M in equity funding per employee. Embedded finance company Brim Financial, blockchain company Fnality, and Coda Payments are tied for second with $1.6M per employee.

Company health

Eighty-three of this year’s winning companies have a CB Insights Mosaic score — a proprietary measure of private company health and growth potential — of at least 700 out of 1,000 (as of 10/23/24). Compared to all private companies — fintechs or otherwise — with Mosaic scores, these 83 winners rank in the top 4% by Mosaic score. 

Bilt Rewards leads the cohort with a score of 952. Nova Credit and Arta are tied for second with 883.

Winners deploy AI across a variety of use cases

AI’s dominance in the venture market and broader tech conversations is reflected in this year’s Fintech 100 cohort. 

Several winners have developed AI solutions to automate financial services operations. For example, Alkymi and Saphyre are among the handful of companies using AI to analyze and extract data from financial documents.

But winners are also deploying AI within specific financial services sectors, including embedded finance, compliance, and insurance.

For instance, Gynger uses AI and data analytics to quickly approve and underwrite financing. The company is backed by PayPal Ventures and Google’s AI-focused venture arm Gradient Ventures. 

Meanwhile, Norm Ai offers AI agents for compliance teams, enabling them to assess content or actions against regulatory requirements. The company raised a $27M Series A round in June 2024 from investors including Bain Capital Ventures and Citi Ventures.

Delos Insurance Solutions, on the other hand, issues property insurance and analyzes satellite data using AI to identify areas with greater wildfire risk. Its founders’ backgrounds in the space industry inform their approach to data gathering via satellite.

Fintechs gear solutions toward financial inclusion and accessibility

Many of this year’s winners are focused on making financial services and technology more accessible to growing customer segments. 

Small businesses are a focus worldwide. This year’s list includes solutions like Sequoia Capital– and Founders Fund-backed Found, which offers banking for self-employed people and small business owners. Meanwhile, Pakistan-based NayaPay offers financial management for consumers as well as small businesses. Singapore-based YouTrip also has both B2C and B2B platforms for cross-border payments, focusing its B2B services on small businesses in southeast Asia. 

Companies in this year’s cohort are also targeting consumers building their financial profiles and wealth. US-based MAJORITY allows individuals to get banked in the US without social security numbers. OTO, meanwhile, offers loans for electric bike and scooter purchases in India. Banks are hesitant to finance the purchases despite strong government support for the vehicles, so the massive consumer market is turning to fintechs.

Meanwhile, companies like Bilt Rewards and CheQ are helping consumers manage their credit and build toward major purchases in different ways. Bilt converts rent payments into points that can be redeemed toward a down payment on a home, and it can also send renters’ on-time payment reports to credit bureaus. 

In India, where credit cards have lower penetration but are growing quickly, CheQ helps consumers pay off all of their credit cards and earn rewards on one digital platform. It aims to support users who are new to the credit system and offers free credit reports and tips on managing credit. The company recently announced a partnership with India’s e-commerce giant Flipkart to enable consumers to earn extra points on purchases during Flipkart’s sale event.

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After nearly a decade of big tech companies venturing into launching their own financial products, the major players have now pulled back. Most have shifted to roles as tech providers, broadly supporting advances in financial infrastructure.

Amazon and Google stand out in this area:

• Amazon is embedding itself in more financial transactions via partnerships, investments, and acquisitions. It’s using these relationships to reach customers across more geographies and a wider range of services. 
• Google has shifted away from providing financial services and instead is connecting its existing platforms to others’ financial offerings. The company is also investing and partnering to enable digital-first financial tools.

We mined CB Insights data on Amazon’s and Google’s investments, acquisitions, and partnerships, as well as patents and earnings transcripts, from January 2021 to July 2024 to explore how the companies are reengineering their fintech strategies.

Download the full report to see where they are making moves.

This report uses CB Insights datasets like investments, acquisitions, business relationships, earnings call insights, patents, and more. Learn more about our data here.

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