Yes, it is almost impossible to keep tabs on all the new entrants of the wonderful world of fintech. But taking it one step (or five) at a time, should be enough to keep you up to date for many of the latest trends in the space.
So, if you are in the mood to meet some fintech upstarts, we suggest you check out these five.
Bread: Easy Payment Plans
Through its network of merchants, Bread allows customers to “pay by the slice” at the checkout, using its one-stop consumer interface. Here’s how it works: Shoppers apply for financing on the merchant website, and get pricing info based on their credit background. Bread pays merchants upfront within three business days of requesting settlement, and charges them a flat fee. “Bread takes on the credit and fraud risk. That being said, we expect our merchants to treat orders with Bread in the same fashion as orders with any other payment method,” the company’s website notes.
The API is flexible in order to reflect each merchant’s brand, allowing them to control the “messaging and aesthetics” of the financing program. The New York-based startup raised $14.3 million in a Series A round in Nov. 2015, led by Bessemer Venture Partners and RRE Ventures.