Wise (formerly TransferWise) is a Shoreditch-based fintech company founded in 2011 by Kristo Kaarmann and Taavet Hinrikus. Specializing in seamless cross-border financial services, Wise offers multi-currency accounts, international transfers, global debit cards, and payment solutions for individuals and enterprises.
Wise focuses on reducing the hidden costs of international banking while ensuring speed and transparency. The company’s infrastructure supports both personal and business customers, helping them manage global finances efficiently.
What Is Wise and What Does It Do?
Wise, founded in 2011 by Kristo Kaarmann and Taavet Hinrikus, is a Shoreditch-based fintech company providing multi-currency accounts and low-cost international money transfers.
The Wise employs 5,499 employees across global offices. Wise enables users to send, receive, convert, and hold money in multiple currencies while offering international debit cards and financial tools for businesses. Its platform emphasizes transparency, mid-market exchange rates, and fast transaction processing.
How Much Funding Has Wise Raised?
1. Venture Debt
- Amount Raised: $227M
- Investors: SVB
2. Series F
- Amount Raised: $12M
- Investors: Headline, Grishin Robotics, Base10 Partners, Techstars
3. Series F
- Amount Raised: $319M
- Investors: Lone Pine Capital, Baillie Gifford, Fidelity Investments, LocalGlobe, Vitruvian Partners, Vulcan Capital
Total Funding Raised: $1.03 Billion
Latest Funding Date: May 2021
Key Investors
1. Lone Pine Capital
- Details: A global investment firm focused on public and private growth-stage companies.
- Investment Focus Areas: Consumer tech, fintech, internet platforms.
- Notable Investments: Wise, Airbnb, Snowflake.
2. Baillie Gifford
- Details: A long-term investment management firm with global holdings.
- Investment Focus Areas: High-growth technology and innovation-led companies.
- Notable Investments: Wise, Tesla, Amazon.
3. Fidelity Investments
- Details: One of the world’s largest financial services firms.
- Investment Focus Areas: Asset management, fintech, enterprise software.
- Notable Investments: Uber, SpaceX, Wise.
4. Valar Ventures
- Details: A global venture fund co-founded by Peter Thiel.
- Investment Focus Areas: Fintech, financial infrastructure, banking tech.
- Notable Investments: Wise, N26, TransferGo.
5. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)
- Details: A leading venture capital firm backing next-gen technology companies.
- Investment Focus Areas: Fintech, AI, crypto, enterprise tech.
- Notable Investments: Coinbase, Wise, Slack.
Where Is Wise’s Headquarters?
Wise is headquartered in Shoreditch, United Kingdom, a major European fintech hub known for its innovation-friendly environment, deep engineering talent, and access to global financial markets.
What’s Next for Wise?
Wise plans to expand its multi-currency infrastructure, strengthen partnerships with banks and financial institutions, and scale its international debit card offerings. With rising global mobility and cross-border freelancing, Wise is positioned to serve both personal and corporate segments more deeply. Continued investment in speed, automation, and compliance technology will play a central role in supporting Wise’s long-term global growth.
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