As we launch ourselves into a new decade where we saw social media change the way we seek out information or digest current affairs. An era where you requested a taxi or local transport device at a touch of a button, electric cars became mainstream, food delivery service platforms brought restaurant experience to our homes and Apple released over 19 different versions of a tablet device. We find ourselves entering a new decade where we ask what is next?
It wouldn’t be out of line to claim the 2010s has been one of the most important decades from a technology perspective.
So, it ponders the question, what will the 2020s bring? Will we see technology play an even bigger role in medical care? Will it continue to provide us with new advancements to improve the legal industry?
We’ve created the PHA Twentyfor20 series, where over the next few weeks we’ll highlight 20 startups that we think are the ones to watch.
To kick things off we take a look at the startups renovating the financial sector.
A real disruptor of the fintech industry. Since its inception in 2014, Atom Bank has flourished into a major player in financial technology. Voted KPMG’s Most Innovative Fintech in the UK and one of Marketing Week’s 100 Disruptive brands.
Atom Bank is the UK’s first app-only bank, based in the North of England their 350 strong team are focused on a customer-first model as part of their innovation.
But it isn’t just financial technology that Atom Bank are pioneers in, they also place a great importance on their impact in the community.
This is highlighted in their partnership with The Prince’s Trust, noting that the northeast of England has one of the highest levels of youth unemployment in the UK. Atom Bank provide mentoring and workshops to young people, so they are better prepared for the workplace.
Known for giving the gift of time back to those who work independently and for themselves. Tide’s award-winning smart business account takes only a matter of minutes to apply for and takes away the stress of business banking.
Some standout features include auto-categorisation labels that can be easily customisable to suit your company, and instant invoicing that gives the opportunity to send and pay invoices directly from their mobile app at any time. Welcome to the perfect solution for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Born out of frustration from when founder Norris Koppel first moved to the UK from Estonia, and struggled to set up a bank account. He didn’t have a credit history or a recent utility bill providing his address, and therefore it became virtually impossible to rent an apartment.
Monese launched in 2015, giving people the opportunity to open a UK account in minutes, free from the hidden fees and restrictions that legacy banks usually impose. Monese was awarded best challenger bank in the 2016 European Fintech Awards.
In its fifth year now as a business, Monese employs over 200 people across four different countries including Portugal and Germany. The challenger bank suggests that over a whopping $3billion is moved through their Monese accounts every year.
You can also collect Avios when you shop at selected outlets with the Monese account, perfect for your next adventure.
First thing’s first, Soldo isn’t a bank and it wants you to know that it doesn’t want to replace yours either. Soldo’s purpose is to complement your existing bank account with smart services that fit the way your business spends.
No matter if you have five employees or 500, the Soldo platform provides unseen before visibility and control over company spending. You can manage expenses before they’re needed, set customisable budgets and empower your employees to do their jobs with controlled access to company funds.
With impressive names such as Monzo, bwin, Toyota and secret escapes on their clientele, clearly 2020 is going to be a blockbuster year for Soldo. Join the 60,000 businesses that have already signed up with this startup.
The trusted marketplace for buying, selling and renting almost anything. Fat Llama connects people who need things with others that have them. The sharing economy business are determined to get people to work together to make the world a more efficient place for everyone.
From drones, to musical instruments and even DJ equipment, Fat Llama can give you access to almost anything at just a fraction of the price.
More money for you and less waste for the environment, it’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Are you looking to refine your communications strategy in 2020? Our team of specialist are here to provide expert guidance and support when you need it most. Contact us today to find out how we can help you gain cut-through in the UK media landscape for you and your business.
