European FinTech deals this week include Sygnum and PrimaryBid
We feature Q&As with Daniel Andemeskel of Universal-Investment and Kristoffer Borg Petersen of Hufsy
If you are an early stage startup in Europe building the next big thing in FinTech, reach out to us: Frank Schwab or Samarth Shekhar.
7 Questions with Daniel Andemeskel of Universal-Investment
1.Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and leisure.
Hello, I am Daniel Andemeskel, Director and Head of Innovation Management at Universal-Investment. I am currently responsible for the Group’s innovation agenda while at the same time developing the next generation investment platform for digital assets, leveraging on Blockchain and AI. Prior to joining Universal-Investment, I gained over 20 years’ experience in investment management in several functions. My motto is to envision new innovations instead of building faster horses (just like the famous quote of Henry Ford) which is why I enjoy speaking at international conferences and panels on innovation and digital transformation. Besides, I am a member of several Blockchain consortiums and forums and like to initiate collaborations on Blockchain.
Work aside, in my personal life I like to travel and discover new cultures and countries. Alongside my passion for cooking and wine. To compensate my full calendar, I am trying to do as much sports as possible, frequent morning runs are my favorite. This is rounded up with the fact that I am an early bird (waking up every morning between 4:30am and 5:00am). I use these morning hours for the innovation visioning and creative part of my job.
http://www.fintechforum.de/7-questions-with-daniel-andemeskel-of-universal-investment/
7 Questions with Kristoffer Borg Petersen, Hufsy
1.Please tell us a bit about yourself and Hufsy.
I’m Kristoffer and I’m the CEO of Hufsy. I’m overall responsible for running the business both in our HQ in Copenhagen as well as our office in Berlin. Prior to working with Hufsy I spent many years in the digital media business. I have worked for Microsoft and Bonnier Publications amongst others. My focus has always been commercial whether it has been sales management or business development and I bring my experience from the more corporate world to the start-up world of Hufsy.
http://www.fintechforum.de/7-questions-with-kristoffer-borg-petersen-hufsy/
Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum secures €79.5M funding, eyes global expansion
Sygnum, a Zurich-based digital asset bank, and trading platform, announced on Thursday that it has raised $90M (approx €79.5M) funding in an oversubscribed Series B funding round.
Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited, a Hong Kong-listed alternative investment financial services institution, led the round.
Other new and existing investors such as Meta Investments, Animoca Brands, Wemade, SBI Holdings, and Siam Commercial Bank’s digital investment arm, SCB 10X, also participated in the round.
The round also saw the participation of a large group of employees as personal investors, claims the company in a press release. The Series B round gives Sygnum a post-money valuation of $800M (approx €707M).
https://siliconcanals.com/news/startups/sygnum-secures-79-5m/
Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited (SEHK: 86) is a leader in alternative investing headquartered in Hong Kong. Since its establishment in 1969, the Group has owned and operated market-leading platforms in Financial Services. The Group invests across public markets, alternatives and real assets and has an established track record of generating long-term risk adjusted returns for its shareholders.
British fintech PrimaryBid close to finalising $150 mln funding from SoftBank – Sky News
Jan 8 (Reuters) – British fintech company PrimaryBid is close to finalising the details of a $150 million funding round led by SoftBank’s Vision Fund II, Sky News reported on Saturday.
The Series C fund-raising was likely to value the company at more than $500 million on a pre-money basis, Sky News said, citing sources.
PrimaryBid’s latest capital-raising will take the total sum it has raised since it was founded in 2016 to more than $200 million, the report said.
The funding from Softbank’s Vision Fund II will provide PrimaryBid with “greater financial firepower” to continue its expansion beyond the UK, Sky News said.
SoftBank and PrimaryBid were not immediately available for comment outside business hours.
Through the SoftBank Vision Funds, SoftBank Investment Advisers, headquartered in London, are investing in more than $100 billion in the businesses and technologies. They offer the operational expertise, global network and patient capital required to help exceptional founders build market-leading companies.
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