Finclude Company Profile
Background
Overview
Finclude, formerly known as Verge.Capital, is a financial technology (FinTech) company specializing in creditworthiness and affordability assessments. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Finclude leverages transactional data and machine learning models to provide comprehensive credit evaluations, particularly for individuals without traditional credit histories. The company's mission is to enhance financial inclusivity by offering accurate and accessible credit assessments across Europe.
Mission and Vision
Finclude aims to transform the credit assessment landscape by utilizing real-time transactional data to evaluate an individual's financial behavior. This approach seeks to provide a more accurate and inclusive measure of creditworthiness, moving beyond traditional credit scoring methods. The company's vision is to create a universally accessible financial ecosystem where individuals, regardless of their credit history, can demonstrate their creditworthiness through their actual financial behavior.
Primary Area of Focus
Finclude focuses on developing a pan-European credit scoring system that assesses consumers based on their transactional behavior. By analyzing spending patterns and financial activities, the company provides a holistic view of an individual's financial health, enabling more informed lending decisions. This system is particularly beneficial for individuals without traditional credit histories, such as young adults, immigrants, or those new to the financial system.
Industry Significance
In the rapidly evolving FinTech industry, Finclude stands out by addressing the challenge of financial exclusion. By offering innovative credit assessment solutions, the company contributes to a more inclusive financial ecosystem, allowing a broader segment of the population to access credit facilities. This approach aligns with global trends towards open banking and data-driven financial services, positioning Finclude as a key player in the future of financial assessments.
Key Strategic Focus
Core Objectives
- Financial Inclusion: Expand access to credit for individuals without traditional credit histories by providing alternative credit assessments based on transactional data.
- Technological Innovation: Develop and implement advanced machine learning models to analyze transactional data, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of credit assessments.
- Market Expansion: Establish partnerships with financial institutions across Europe to integrate Finclude's credit scoring system into their lending processes.
Specific Areas of Specialization
- Credit Scoring Systems: Design and deploy credit scoring models that utilize real-time transactional data to evaluate creditworthiness.
- Open Banking Analytics: Leverage open banking frameworks to access and analyze financial data, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing data security.
- Financial Data Aggregation: Aggregate and normalize financial information from various banking institutions to provide a comprehensive view of an individual's financial behavior.
Key Technologies Utilized
- Machine Learning Algorithms: Employ machine learning techniques to process and interpret large volumes of transactional data, identifying patterns and predicting creditworthiness.
- API Integrations: Utilize APIs to seamlessly integrate Finclude's credit scoring system with partner financial institutions' platforms, facilitating real-time data exchange.
- Open Banking Protocols: Implement open banking standards to access and utilize financial data securely and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted
- Individuals Without Traditional Credit Histories: Provide credit assessments for individuals lacking conventional credit records, such as young adults, immigrants, or those new to the financial system.
- Financial Institutions: Offer solutions to banks, fintech companies, and other lenders seeking to expand their customer base by including individuals without traditional credit histories.
- European Market: Focus on the European Economic Area, leveraging open banking regulations to access and analyze financial data across member states.
Financials and Funding
Funding History
Finclude has raised a total of $850,000 in funding since its inception.
Recent Funding Rounds
- Corporate Majority Investment: In November 2025, Cepal, a leading independent servicer in Southeast Europe, acquired a 51% majority stake in Finclude. This strategic investment aims to enhance Cepal's data and analytics capabilities, particularly in the area of credit risk assessment.
Notable Investors
- Cepal: A prominent financial services and debt management company in Southeast Europe, which now holds a majority stake in Finclude.
- Eudaimonia Capital: An angel investment firm that has supported Finclude in its early growth stages.
Intended Utilization of Capital
The capital raised, including the recent investment from Cepal, is intended to:
- Enhance Technological Capabilities: Invest in the development and refinement of machine learning models and data analytics tools to improve credit assessment accuracy.
- Expand Market Reach: Strengthen partnerships with financial institutions across Europe to integrate Finclude's credit scoring system into their lending processes.
- Support Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to evolving open banking regulations and data protection standards across different European jurisdictions.
Pipeline Development
Key Pipeline Candidates
Finclude's primary focus is on the continuous development and enhancement of its credit scoring system, which includes:
- Machine Learning Models: Ongoing refinement of algorithms to improve the accuracy and predictive power of credit assessments.
- API Integrations: Expansion of API capabilities to facilitate seamless integration with a broader range of financial institutions and platforms.
Stages of Development
- Product Development: Finclude has developed a fully functional credit scoring system that is currently operational and integrated with several financial institutions.
- Market Expansion: The company is in the process of expanding its partnerships with additional banks and fintech companies across Europe to broaden the adoption of its services.
Target Conditions
- Creditworthiness Assessment: Provide accurate evaluations of an individual's ability to repay debts, based on real-time transactional data.
- Affordability Analysis: Assess an individual's capacity to manage and afford credit, considering their financial behavior and spending patterns.
Relevant Timelines for Anticipated Milestones
- Short-Term Goals (2025): Finalize integration with additional financial institutions and enhance machine learning models for improved predictive accuracy.
- Medium-Term Goals (2026): Expand market presence across the European Economic Area and explore potential partnerships in other regions.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Proprietary Technologies
- Finclude Score: A proprietary credit scoring system that evaluates creditworthiness based on transactional data and machine learning models.
Significant Scientific Methods
- Machine Learning Algorithms: Utilized to analyze large datasets of transactional information, identifying patterns and predicting creditworthiness.
- Adaptive Learning Models: Employed to continuously improve the accuracy and relevance of credit assessments based on evolving financial behaviors.
AI-Driven Capabilities
- Predictive Analytics: Use of AI to forecast an individual's likelihood of defaulting on credit obligations, enabling proactive risk management.
- Behavioral Analysis: AI-driven insights into spending habits and financial behaviors, providing a comprehensive view of an individual's financial health.
Leadership Team
Yiannis Giokas – Co-Founder
- Current Position: Co-Founder of Finclude.
- Professional Background: Yiannis is a seasoned international technology executive with experience in telecom, cybersecurity, and big data products. He previously served as Head of R&D at PCCW Global following the acquisition of his startup, Crypteia Networks.
- Key Contributions: Yiannis brings expertise in technology development and strategic direction, driving Finclude's innovation in credit assessment solutions.
Ioanna Stanegloudi – Co-Founder & Chief Risk Officer
- Current Position: Co-Founder and Chief Risk Officer at Finclude.
- Professional Background: Ioanna has over 21 years of experience in corporate finance, specializing in credit risk assessment and management. She has held senior positions at EY and Grant Thornton, focusing on financial business modeling and analytics.
- Key Contributions: Ioanna leads Finclude's risk management strategies, ensuring the robustness and reliability of the company's credit scoring models.
Leadership Changes
Recent Significant Changes
- Acquisition by Cepal: In November 2025, Cepal acquired a 51% majority stake in Finclude, marking a significant shift in the company's ownership structure. This strategic investment aims to enhance Cepal's data and analytics capabilities, particularly in credit risk assessment.
Competitor Profile
Market Insights and Dynamics
The FinTech industry, particularly in the realm of credit assessment, is experiencing rapid growth and innovation. Companies are increasingly leveraging transactional data and machine learning to provide more accurate and inclusive credit evaluations. This