Big Data analytics firm Hello Soda has expanded into India and is among 100 of the world’s top FinTech companies.
The Manchester-based firm has enjoyed a double whammy of success after it was named in the FinTech 100 compiled by KPMG and investment firm H2 Ventures.
Hello Soda expanded into the US recently by opening an office in Austin, Texas and also has offices in Bangkok.
Its multilingual analytics software PROFILE – which enables businesses across a range of sectors to gain meaningful insights – will now look to penetrate the booming market in India.
It is utilised to verify ID and detect fraud, assess risk and increase financial inclusion, and to personalise the user experience by delivering insights that traditional data doesn’t cover, helping brands to engage with consumers on a one-to-one level.
CEO and co-founder James Blake said: “We are very excited about the launch of Hello Soda India.
“The partnership enables the rolling out of PROFILE to India and surrounding countries with a strong base to ensure dedicated, continuous support.
“In less than a year we have expanded our worldwide presence and have offices in three continents, allowing us to deliver a true 24-hour service to clients.
“We have a product set that benefits businesses across the world, and we are relishing the task of entering new markets as we grow.”
The FinTech 100 includes 50 established FinTech companies across the globe – ranked from one to 50 – and 50 unranked emerging firms with bold, disruptive and potentially game-changing ideas.
The highest-ranked UK firm is Durham-based Atom Bank, which rises two places in the list to sixth.
The bank has been praised for building everything digitally and including biometric security, face and voice recognition.
Its CEO Mark Mullen said: “We are thrilled to be included in the FinTech 100 list once again, the only UK company in the top 10.
“This year has been a tremendous milestone for us as we opened our doors to consumers.
“Anyone wanting to bank with us is able to do so now, all right from their mobile phone.
“Technology is exciting and there is no reason why banking shouldn’t embrace technology, deliver a great customer journey and market leading products.”
The UK has more companies named in the latest report than any other nation in Europe, falling second only to the USA.
The list includes 35 companies from the Americas, 28 from EMEA, 13 from the UK and 24 from the Asia-Pacific region.
The other UK companies to make the list were Funding Circle, iZettle, Circle, AQ Metrics, Azimo, Black Swan Technologies, Credit Kudos, Doreming, Iwoca, OSeven and Ravelin.
Ian Pollari, global co-lead of KPMG’s FinTech practice, said: “One of the striking features of this year’s list is the growing success of FinTech disrupters, with more than 90 percent of the top 50 ventures challenging incumbents or traditional business models.
“These disrupters are increasingly attracting a greater share of capital, raising more than 65 percent of total global FinTech investment over the past year.”