We are excited to announce our latest investment in Quidkey.

Quidkey is a B2B SaaS providing proprietary payment gateway & embedded finance technology, changing the way customers access bank products by offering flexible payment methods at the point of purchase. The revolutionary product allows banks to take full control of the end-to-end payments process, reducing customers' reliance on external fintech services.

How a fintech startup is helping traditional banks stay competitive

The surge in fintech companies has transformed the dynamics between consumers, businesses, and traditional banks, introducing innovative experiences that reshape expectations.

Businesses traditionally relied on banks for various financial services, but fintech companies have disrupted this landscape by providing cutting-edge solutions that alter customer preferences. Fintech companies expand beyond payments, encroaching into areas banks once exclusively served. Consumers possess digital payment accounts resembling traditional bank accounts, and businesses access lending and credit solutions through fintech providers.

The competitive threat posed by fintech's expansion into banking services prompts traditional banks to invest in fintech startups, partner with tech companies, or acquire tech firms to maintain market relevance. However, this approach may only be feasible for some financial institutions, necessitating alternative strategies.

Quidkey is pivotal in helping traditional banks stay competitive and relevant in the evolving financial landscape. By offering a seamless and user-friendly product that provides access to various payment methods at the point of purchase, Quidkey enables banks to meet changing customer expectations and compete effectively with fintech companies.

The team behind Quidkey

The Quidkey team is exceptionally equipped with a blend of experience and expertise. CEO Rob Zeko's early career background spans corporate development, sales, and marketing at major global conglomerates like Viacom/CBS, Conde Nast, and United Talent Agency. His career has since evolved into investing in and building technology businesses. He’s been an integral part of leadership teams at a number of growth companies and founded Place Capital, a global venture capital fund, which led to a combination of a global listed technology business that was taken private by Quadrant Private Equity for $400m.

Rabea Bader, Quidkey's CTO & Head of Product, combines an Economics and Computer Science foundation from Tel Aviv University with roles at UBS and leadership positions at IZMUS, Le Wagon, Battata.io, and REQPay. Their collective experience positions the Quidkey team for success and innovation in their field.

Why we are excited to invest

Quidkey addresses a critical gap in the rapidly growing global digital payments sector, with a projected transaction value of $9.46trn in 2023 and digital commerce accounting for $6.03trn. Their innovative solution enhances customer experiences and taps into new distribution opportunities for merchants, all while traditional banks struggle with outdated technology.

Furthermore, Quidkey's founders have demonstrated impressive sales skills, evident in their robust customer pipeline, including major retail networks and discussions with prominent banks. These factors collectively make Quidkey an attractive investment opportunity in the dynamic digital payments landscape, and we are excited to see what innovations they can bring forward.

We’re thrilled to be part of this investment round alongside several high-profile strategic investors, and we can’t wait to see what the fintech industry will transform into. Welcome to the Plug and Play ecosystem!