Episode Six Company Profile

Background

Overview

Episode Six is a global provider of enterprise-grade card issuing and ledger infrastructure, enabling banks, fintechs, and brands to modernize their payment systems. Founded in 2015, the company offers a cloud-native platform that facilitates the development and management of digital payment solutions. Operating in over 45 countries, Episode Six serves a diverse clientele, including financial institutions and innovative brands.

Mission and Vision

Episode Six's mission is to empower financial institutions and brands to design and launch leading digital payment products swiftly and efficiently. The company's vision is to eliminate the constraints of legacy payment technologies, providing flexible and adaptable infrastructure that meets the evolving demands of the financial services industry.

Industry Significance

In an era where digital transformation is paramount, Episode Six plays a crucial role by offering a platform that supports the creation of diverse payment products, including credit, prepaid, and virtual accounts. Its solutions enable clients to stay competitive by rapidly deploying modern payment systems without overhauling existing infrastructures.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Modernization of Payment Infrastructure: Assist financial institutions and brands in transitioning from legacy systems to agile, cloud-native payment solutions.

Rapid Product Deployment: Enable clients to launch new payment products swiftly, adapting to market demands and customer expectations.

Global Expansion: Extend the company's reach across multiple regions, supporting a diverse range of financial services and products.

Areas of Specialization

Card Issuing: Provision of solutions for credit, debit, and prepaid card programs.

Ledger Management: Development of robust ledger systems that support various financial products and services.

Digital Wallets and Embedded Payments: Facilitation of digital wallet integration and embedded payment solutions for enhanced customer experiences.

Key Technologies Utilized

Cloud-Native Architecture: Deployment of scalable and flexible cloud-based solutions to meet diverse client needs.

APIs and Open-Source Frameworks: Provision of comprehensive APIs and open-source code frameworks for seamless integration and customization.

Distributed Ledger Technology: Implementation of globally distributed ledgers to ensure secure and efficient transaction processing.

Primary Markets Targeted

Banks and Financial Institutions: Assisting in modernizing payment infrastructures to enhance service offerings.

Fintech Companies: Providing scalable solutions that support rapid growth and innovation in financial services.

Consumer Brands: Enabling brands to offer branded payment products and services to their customers.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Episode Six has successfully secured multiple funding rounds, totaling approximately $98 million. Notable investors include HSBC, Mastercard, SBI Investment Co., Ltd., Anthos Capital, and Japan Airlines (JAL).

Recent Funding Rounds

March 2025: Corporate Round led by Japan Airlines (JAL).

May 2023: Series C funding round led by Avenir.

February 2022: Series B funding round.

Utilization of Capital

The funds raised are allocated towards global expansion, technological advancements, and the enhancement of the company's platform to support a broader range of financial products and services.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

Episode Six is actively developing solutions to support a variety of financial products, including:

Credit Cards: Consumer, business, and secured credit card programs.

Prepaid and Debit Cards: Solutions for prepaid and debit card issuance.

Commercial Cards and Spend Controls: Tools for managing commercial card programs and implementing spend controls.

Multi-Currency Cards and Wallets: Support for multi-currency transactions and digital wallets.

Virtual Accounts and Embedded Wallets: Development of virtual account solutions and embedded wallet capabilities.

Installments, BNPL, and Lending Features: Integration of installment plans, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options, and lending features into payment products.

Stages of Development

The company is in various stages of development for these products, with some solutions already deployed and others in advanced stages of testing and refinement.

Target Conditions

These products aim to address the needs of consumers and businesses seeking flexible, modern payment solutions that enhance financial management and customer engagement.

Anticipated Milestones

Episode Six plans to achieve significant milestones in product deployment and market expansion over the next 12 to 24 months, with specific timelines to be announced as development progresses.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Tritium® Platform: A highly configurable platform that supports the creation of diverse payment products, offering nearly unlimited configuration options across products, merchant controls, velocity controls, and fees.

Significant Scientific Methods

Distributed Ledger Technology: Utilization of globally distributed ledgers to ensure secure and efficient transaction processing.

Open-Source Frameworks: Deployment of open-source code frameworks to facilitate seamless integration and customization.

AI-Driven Capabilities

While specific AI-driven capabilities are not detailed in the available information, Episode Six's platform is designed to be adaptable and responsive to emerging technologies, potentially incorporating AI to enhance payment processing and customer experience.

Leadership Team

Executive Profiles

John Mitchell: Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder. John brings decades of fintech and payments expertise, having previously served as CEO of Rêv Worldwide and as the primary architect of NetSpend Corporation’s early sales and distribution strategy.

Chermaine Hu: Chief Financial Officer & Co-Founder. Chermaine is responsible for global finance and accounting functions, as well as M&A and investor activities. Prior to Episode Six, she was the CFO of Rêv Worldwide and an M&A banker at Morgan Stanley in both London and New York.

Futeh Kao: Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder. Futeh oversees Episode Six’s technology vision and strategy and is the chief architect of the platform technology. Before Episode Six, he was the CTO of Rêv Worldwide and led NetSpend Corporation’s IT software development efforts.

Brian Muse-McKenney: Chief Revenue Officer. Brian leads revenue generation strategies, focusing on expanding the company's market presence and client base.

Laura Adams: Chief Legal Officer. Laura manages legal affairs, ensuring compliance and supporting strategic initiatives.

Daryn Griggs: Managing Director - APAC. Daryn oversees operations and business development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Craig Ramsay: Managing Director, Business Development Head - EMEA. Craig leads business development efforts across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Loong Sam: General Manager, Japan. Loong manages operations and client relations in Japan.

Ross Hamilton: Executive Vice President, IT Operations & Chief Information Security Officer. Ross is responsible for IT operations and information security.

Mike Wienke: Senior Vice President, Marketing. Mike leads marketing strategies to enhance brand presence and client engagement.

Matthew Little: Vice President, Product. Matthew oversees product development and innovation.

Frank Yen: Vice President, Engineering. Frank leads engineering teams to develop and implement platform solutions.

Manikandan Chandramohan: Vice President, Client Operations. Manikandan manages client operations to ensure service excellence.

Kallan Hogan: Head of Sales Excellence and Lending. Kallan focuses on sales strategies and lending solutions.

Jen Mitchell: Head of People. Jen oversees human resources and organizational development.

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