Digital banks struggle across the pond 🇺🇸

Sifted is the FT-backed media site telling the untold stories of European tech. Subscribe here.

 Investment 

 

How to avoid cowboy investors


Covid-19 has left startups desperate for funding and more likely to seize on any potential investment they are offered.

But beware! Taking on a dodgy investor can come at a huge future cost.

Here are four top tips to avoid disaster, from financial crime specialist Maya Braine.

What are they?

✌️ How top founders manage spend ✌️

 

If you want to thrive – not just survive – it’s never been more critical to spend smart. Find out how 250 of Europe’s top founders keep their startups on track.

 
Download the Spending Playbook. [Sponsored post]

 Fintech 

 

Fintechs off to a slow start in the US


Europe’s mighty digital banks N26, Revolut and Monzo have made conquering the US market a big part of their growth strategy.

But new data shows that, while it's still early days, they have had a sluggish start.

And even worse, competition — notably from the digital bank Chime — is hotting up.

Sifted's Isabel Woodford looks at the data.

 Government 

 

The UK's startup bailout fund under fire


Two weeks ago, the UK government announced a £1bn support package for startups. 

But not everyone was happy with the result. 

The Future Fund, while a huge boost for many startups, has been criticised for a) giving too much power to VCs b) not focusing enough on diversity and c) not being compatible with EIS and SEIS tax schemes.

But are the critics right? Sifted's Amy Lewin has more.

 Hiring 

 

Immigration made easy


When Union Square Ventures, the New York-based investment firm, first got in touch with Jobbatical cofounder Karoli Hindriks via Twitter, she didn’t notice their message for two weeks.

Still, there were no hard feelings: four years, several funding rounds, one major pivot and one global crisis later, they’re leading a further €2.6m round into the talent relocation startup.

But can Jobbatical really turn immigration — currently a massive pain in the ass for employers, government agencies and citizens — into a seamless operation? And is now a great time to be doing it?

Amy Lewin investigates.

News that matters

 

🛴 Estonian ride-sharing service Bolt has launched its own electric scooter model and aims to launch the scooter service in more than 45 cities this summer. It's another bold move from Bolt, which is also expanding into food delivery. Bolt rival, Uber, meanwhile is axing 3,700 staff as trips drop in lockdown.

🔮 A new €65 fund in Munich is targeting deeptech startups. Called the “VSquared Ventures Fund” it's being launched by well-known investors Thomas Oehl, Herbert Mangesius and Benedikt von Schoeler.

🐦 London fintech Starling is one of the three new lenders which have been approved to offer loans via the UK government’s bounce back lending scheme, which is aimed at helping small businesses get back on their feet. They join 11 other banks that have already been approved.

🤖 Countingup, the business current account that “automates” your accounting, has raised £4m in self-described bridge funding.

Front End Engineer, Nutmeg Saving and Investment, London
Junior Games Analyst, Hutch, London
Senior Front End Engineer, Thought Machine, London
Lead Engine/Rendering Programmer, Improbable, London
Senior Frontend Engineer, Impala, Remote

Check out our jobs board if you are looking for a job in fintech or product.

Sifted Suggests 

 

🤑 “Is this a good time to raise money for my startup?” The 7th edition of the Covid-19 VC Barometer by Chausson Finance digs into the data.

👖 What if you don’t want to go back to the office? asks the New York Times. In a similar vein, the Wall Street Journal asks: Can we keep the sweatpants on after lockdown ends?

👨‍👦 How to help employees work from home with kids — some good advice from MIT Sloan Management Review.  

🚀 Eight actions CEOs can take to relaunch their business after the lockdown ends, from McKinsey.

🌧️ The UK fintech sector is in a much better position to weather the Covid storm than other startup sectors, according to Beauhurst

Sifted resources

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Michael Stothard
Editor


Get in touch with him at michael@sifted.eu.
He loves to know what we could be doing better.
Follow the whole Sifted team for news and views: 
@MStothard@amyrlewin@maijapalmer@MimiBilling@kittygknowles@johnthornhillft, @i_woodford, @Marie_a_Paris@KitGillet@timmpsmith, @connorbilboe
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Older messages

Banking the ultra-wealthy ⛵

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Back Market raises $120m | Robots rule post-Covid | Germany's startup support plan Sifted is the FT-backed media site telling the untold stories of European tech. Subscribe here. Fintech Banking

An enormous fintech flop  😱

Monday, May 4, 2020

Women in fintech | Greentech unite! | Kissing in lockdown Sifted is the FT-backed media site telling the untold stories of European tech. Subscribe here. Dating Video dates are here to stay The dating

How not to fall out with your cofounder 💘

Friday, May 1, 2020

Doctolib's hiring spree | The fashion industry's makeover | Free founder resources Sifted is the FT-backed media site telling the untold stories of European tech. Subscribe here. Interview

Digi banks' growth slows 🐢

Monday, April 27, 2020

How to increase your runway | D&I in a time of crisis | More digital events Sifted is the FT-backed media site telling the untold stories of European tech. Subscribe here. Fintech Digi banks'

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