Hard Yaka

Hard Yaka, Inc. is a private equity and venture capital firm established in 2010 and located in Crystal Bay, Nevada. The firm focuses on making early-stage investments in startups within the exchange space, particularly those that operate in specific market verticals or provide essential services across various exchange sectors, such as messaging and payments. Hard Yaka specializes in buyout and distressed investments, aiming to acquire majority stakes in companies involved in portable identity, payments, marketplaces for digital transformation, and regulatory technology. Through its investment strategy, Hard Yaka seeks to support the growth and development of innovative technologies and businesses.

Jun Hiraga

Partner

Greg Kidd

Co-Founder, Partner

Kevin Leiske

Partner

Katie Sullivan

Partner

Chris Lewis Ph.D

Partner

Past deals in Personal Finance

Unifimoney

Seed Round in 2022
Unifimoney is an innovative personal finance platform that simplifies money management by integrating various financial services into a single mobile account. It combines a high-interest checking account, a credit card, and a Robo investment platform, allowing users to automate their financial activities effortlessly. Designed to optimize everyday money management, Unifimoney enables customers to maximize their passive income and build long-term investment funds without requiring significant effort. The platform also offers trading in equities, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals, along with insurance and credit services, all within a low-cost model. By streamlining financial management, Unifimoney aims to empower individuals to take control of their finances and achieve their financial goals.

Aeldra

Series A in 2022
Aeldra - the world's first truly global consumer bank. Aeldra’s vision is provide access to global financial opportunities to customers all over the globe. Through a single App, customers will be able to seamlessly access all the financial products they need – interest bearing insured bank account, debit card, saving account, investment platform, credit card, home loans and other loans, insurance financial advice, and a lot more. Aeldra launched in 2020 with a focus on bridge banking between India and the U.S. Indians can now open an FDIC-insured U.S. bank account with a Mastercard Debit Card from India on their mobile. All customers needs to apply is a valid Indian Passport and Aadhaar number. Account opening takes less than 10 minutes through the mobile. Money can be transferred into the Aeldra account from India through the Liberalised Remittance Scheme of the Government of India, as to any other U.S. bank. In addition to transacting with the global Mastercard Debit Card, customers can do account-to-account transfers, real-time Peer-to-peer transfers, deposit checks, lock/unlock the Debit Card with one click, review transactions, and a lot more through the Aeldra mobile banking App. Within the next three years, we will offer universal banking services in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Australia to overseas customers and residents. Aeldra offers unmatched safety and security: • Customers’ funds are FDIC-insured up to USD $250,000 per customer • Mastercard Zero Liability against “unauthorized transactions.” • Mastercard Identity Check: EMV® 3-D Secure (replacing 3DS 1.0) TRANSPARENCY AND TRUST: The Aeldra Founders have more than 2 decades of experience in leading banks and global companies such as Goldman Sachs, ANZ Bank, Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Co. and Booz & Co. They bring deep expertise in regulatory and compliance. Their motivation for starting Aeldra is to make financial services ethical, easy and accessible to everyone, anywhere in the world.

ZELF

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Zelf is a neobank focused on serving Gen Z by integrating financial services into messaging platforms. It provides a streamlined onboarding process that allows users to issue a card and conduct transactions in under 60 seconds, all without leaving their preferred messaging app. The platform offers AI-powered voice control for various financial operations, catering to the growing preference for voice interactions among younger users. Additionally, Zelf enables users to create and manage invoices, as well as track and send reminders for unpaid bills, ensuring a convenient and efficient approach to managing finances.

Aeldra

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Aeldra - the world's first truly global consumer bank. Aeldra’s vision is provide access to global financial opportunities to customers all over the globe. Through a single App, customers will be able to seamlessly access all the financial products they need – interest bearing insured bank account, debit card, saving account, investment platform, credit card, home loans and other loans, insurance financial advice, and a lot more. Aeldra launched in 2020 with a focus on bridge banking between India and the U.S. Indians can now open an FDIC-insured U.S. bank account with a Mastercard Debit Card from India on their mobile. All customers needs to apply is a valid Indian Passport and Aadhaar number. Account opening takes less than 10 minutes through the mobile. Money can be transferred into the Aeldra account from India through the Liberalised Remittance Scheme of the Government of India, as to any other U.S. bank. In addition to transacting with the global Mastercard Debit Card, customers can do account-to-account transfers, real-time Peer-to-peer transfers, deposit checks, lock/unlock the Debit Card with one click, review transactions, and a lot more through the Aeldra mobile banking App. Within the next three years, we will offer universal banking services in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Australia to overseas customers and residents. Aeldra offers unmatched safety and security: • Customers’ funds are FDIC-insured up to USD $250,000 per customer • Mastercard Zero Liability against “unauthorized transactions.” • Mastercard Identity Check: EMV® 3-D Secure (replacing 3DS 1.0) TRANSPARENCY AND TRUST: The Aeldra Founders have more than 2 decades of experience in leading banks and global companies such as Goldman Sachs, ANZ Bank, Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Co. and Booz & Co. They bring deep expertise in regulatory and compliance. Their motivation for starting Aeldra is to make financial services ethical, easy and accessible to everyone, anywhere in the world.

Goin

Venture Round in 2020
Goin is a mobile application designed to help users save money effortlessly and invest without prior knowledge. Founded by three Spanish entrepreneurs, Goin utilizes machine learning algorithms to accumulate savings through small daily actions, such as rounding up payments. The app targets Millennials, a demographic that often struggles with saving, by offering an easy-to-use tool that enhances financial management. Users begin by answering questions about their spending habits, which allows the app to suggest tailored saving methods. Once users add money to the app, they have the flexibility to transfer funds to various investment options, including cryptocurrencies and equity funds, or withdraw to their bank accounts. Goin's innovative approach aims to simplify personal finance and promote a better lifestyle for its users.

Prepaid2Cash

Venture Round in 2019
Prepaid2Cash is a Birmingham, AL based financial technology company that enables the redemption of network branded (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover) prepaid cards, commonly referred to as open-loop prepaid cards. The Company’s web-based service (www.prepaid2cash.com) allows users to receive payment by direct deposit or mailed check. For more information on Prepaid2Cash, visit http://www.prepaid2cash.com. Additionally, for media inquiries contact info(at)prepaid2cash.com.

Cuenca

Seed Round in 2018
Cuenca is a FinTech company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in providing digital financial services. Established in 2016, Cuenca operates a mobile-based application that facilitates various banking functions, including bill payments for utilities such as mobile, electricity, and water. In addition to bill payment services, the platform offers online banking features that enable users to securely deposit and withdraw funds, access savings accounts with competitive interest rates, and obtain loans tailored to their financial needs. This comprehensive digital approach allows users to manage their finances conveniently and efficiently.

Trim

Series A in 2018
Trim is a personal finance assistant that aims to enhance the financial health of Americans through its automated services. The application analyzes users' spending habits, negotiates bills for services such as cable and internet, cancels unwanted subscriptions, and provides spending insights and recommendations. By leveraging these features, Trim has successfully saved its users over $60 million. The company is supported by a team with extensive experience from renowned organizations and backed by notable venture investors. As Trim continues to expand its offerings, it remains focused on helping individuals manage their finances more effectively and achieve greater financial stability.

Finerio

Seed Round in 2017
Finerio is an automated personal finance platform based in Mexico that offers users a free and efficient way to manage their finances. The platform allows individuals to link their debit and credit accounts from major Mexican banks, providing insights for effective financial planning and saving. Finerio focuses on personal finance management by enabling users to create custom budgets, monitor and track expenditures, and analyze their consumption patterns. Through its open finance and data analysis capabilities, Finerio empowers users to gain control over their financial information, ultimately helping them plan their expenses and enhance their savings.

Earny

Seed Round in 2016
Earny is your personal assistant who automatically gets you money back on almost every item you buy. Earny finds better prices on items you’ve bought and gets you back the difference. His mission is to give you the confidence to purchase wherever and whenever you want, knowing you will never overpay for an item.

Upgrade

Series A in 2016
Upgrade, Inc. is an online lending platform based in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in Phoenix, Montreal, and Chicago. Founded in 2016, the company operates as a neobank, providing access to personal loans and innovative credit products, such as the Upgrade Card, which combines the benefits of installment lending with traditional credit card usage. Upgrade focuses on offering affordable and responsible credit solutions to mainstream consumers while also providing free credit monitoring and educational resources aimed at helping individuals manage their finances effectively. Through its services, Upgrade enables consumers to gain a better understanding of their credit health and make informed financial decisions.

Trim

Seed Round in 2015
Trim is a personal finance assistant that aims to enhance the financial health of Americans through its automated services. The application analyzes users' spending habits, negotiates bills for services such as cable and internet, cancels unwanted subscriptions, and provides spending insights and recommendations. By leveraging these features, Trim has successfully saved its users over $60 million. The company is supported by a team with extensive experience from renowned organizations and backed by notable venture investors. As Trim continues to expand its offerings, it remains focused on helping individuals manage their finances more effectively and achieve greater financial stability.

MONI

Seed Round in 2015
MONI Nordic Oy, based in Helsinki, Finland, offers prepaid MasterCards that enable users to make online and offline payments. Founded in 2013, the company focuses on developing accessible personal banking tools that allow individuals to pay for purchases, send and receive money, access credit, withdraw cash, and manage their accounts via mobile devices. MONI aims to bridge traditional banking with emerging technologies, incorporating cryptocurrencies into its services. By simplifying financial processes and reducing costs, MONI enhances user experience while minimizing the risk of fraud. Its technology is designed to be universally accessible, functioning on any smartphone or feature phone, thereby providing essential financial services to a broad audience worldwide.

DailyPay

Seed Round in 2015
DailyPay is a financial wellness platform that enables employees to access their earned wages on demand, allowing them to control when they get paid. Founded in 2015 by Jason Lee and Robert Law, the company partners with organizations across various sectors to enhance employee engagement, recruitment, and retention. DailyPay's digital wallet system facilitates the transfer of funds directly to bank accounts, providing users with the flexibility to manage their finances more effectively. By offering this service, DailyPay not only supports individual financial security but also helps partner companies improve their overall profitability.

Kueski

Seed Round in 2014
Kueski, S.A.P.I. De C.V. Sofom E.N.R. is an online lending platform based in Guadalajara, Mexico, founded in 2012. Catering primarily to the middle class in Mexico and Latin America, Kueski offers a range of financial services, including personal credit, student loans, and savings options. The platform leverages big data and advanced analytics to facilitate quick loan approvals, often within minutes, making it a convenient choice for borrowers who require immediate financial assistance. With a paperless application process available 24/7, Kueski has rapidly established itself as a leading provider of online lending services in the region, having granted thousands of loans to date.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.