Plug and Play

Plug and Play, founded in 2006 and based in Sunnyvale, California, operates as a business accelerator and venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage and seed investments in technology startups. The firm runs 12 industry-specific accelerator programs annually, connecting startups with corporate partners and investors to foster collaboration and growth. Plug and Play's investment strategy encompasses a wide range of sectors, including fintech, health and wellness, travel, cybersecurity, and sustainability, allowing it to support diverse startups from any country. The firm provides various resources, including funding, mentorship, office space, and networking opportunities, and has a global presence with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Plug and Play has a strong track record, having helped numerous startups secure over $9 billion in funding since its inception. Its programs aim to refine business models and facilitate introductions to potential investors, ultimately contributing to the growth of the startup ecosystem.

Saeed Amidi

Co-Founder & Co-Chief Executive Officer

Kiswana Browne

Associate

Gabriela Dow

Co-Founder and Partner

Matt Helmers

Director of Strategy and Innovation

Alex Roudi

Managing Partner, San Diego

Marc Steiner

General Counsel

Jupe Tan

Managing Partner, Asia Pacific & Senior Vice President, Global Operations

Phillip Vincent

Managing Partner, East Asia

Chen Zhao

Managing Partner, China

Past deals in Banks

Bridge Money

Seed Round in 2022
Bridge is a developer of a banking platform used to help achieve financial freedom. It aims to provide a path towards upward financial mobility for the millions of people left behind by the traditional banking system. It was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Bankly

Seed Round in 2021
Bankly is a digital savings and peer to peer transfer product where users fund their wallet using tokens available on Bankly vouchers nationwide in a “Recharge to save” model. This cash digitisation system is similar to the telco mobile airtime top up and is currently available on MTN and 9mobile networks in Nigeria. Financial services has to be seen through the lenses of a fast moving consumer product in order to reach the last mile and the use of vouchers has been proven to be a successful cash digitisation system by the telecoms industry. Leveraging this existing consumer behaviour to drive financial inclusion, reduce cost of financial services and create a foundation to provide other financial services is where Bankly identifies huge potential and is poised to make an impact.

TenureX

Pre Seed Round in 2021
TenureX is a technology and enablement service provider specializing in correspondent banking services. The company has developed a global transaction platform designed for financial institutions to facilitate cross-border transactions. By fostering collaboration among banks and financial institutions, TenureX aims to enhance the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and transparency of wire transfers. Its innovative approach integrates technology into the banking sector, allowing for smoother and more business-oriented operations within the financial landscape.

Bankly

Convertible Note in 2021
Bankly is a digital savings and peer to peer transfer product where users fund their wallet using tokens available on Bankly vouchers nationwide in a “Recharge to save” model. This cash digitisation system is similar to the telco mobile airtime top up and is currently available on MTN and 9mobile networks in Nigeria. Financial services has to be seen through the lenses of a fast moving consumer product in order to reach the last mile and the use of vouchers has been proven to be a successful cash digitisation system by the telecoms industry. Leveraging this existing consumer behaviour to drive financial inclusion, reduce cost of financial services and create a foundation to provide other financial services is where Bankly identifies huge potential and is poised to make an impact.

SoLo Funds

Series A in 2021
SoLo Funds, Inc. is a mobile money exchange and lending platform that connects lenders and borrowers, allowing users to borrow on their own terms and lenders to benefit from their contributions. Established in 2015 and based in New York City, SoLo Funds operates as an alternative financial solution, offering rapid loan options to borrowers while providing lenders with significant value. The platform has evolved from a unique lending marketplace into a comprehensive community banking solution that leverages individual capital, insurance, and banking products, supported by advanced A.I. underwriting technology.

TenureX

Convertible Note in 2020
TenureX is a technology and enablement service provider specializing in correspondent banking services. The company has developed a global transaction platform designed for financial institutions to facilitate cross-border transactions. By fostering collaboration among banks and financial institutions, TenureX aims to enhance the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and transparency of wire transfers. Its innovative approach integrates technology into the banking sector, allowing for smoother and more business-oriented operations within the financial landscape.

SoLo Funds

Convertible Note in 2020
SoLo Funds, Inc. is a mobile money exchange and lending platform that connects lenders and borrowers, allowing users to borrow on their own terms and lenders to benefit from their contributions. Established in 2015 and based in New York City, SoLo Funds operates as an alternative financial solution, offering rapid loan options to borrowers while providing lenders with significant value. The platform has evolved from a unique lending marketplace into a comprehensive community banking solution that leverages individual capital, insurance, and banking products, supported by advanced A.I. underwriting technology.

Helios.do

Seed Round in 2020
Helios is a sustainable banking alternative. We are building, together with our community, a new banking model focusing on transparency and sustainability

Brankas

Series A in 2019
Brankas is a fintech company based in DKI Jakarta, Indonesia, founded in August 2016. It specializes in providing an open finance platform that facilitates access to modern financial services for consumers and businesses globally. Brankas offers a range of financial software solutions, including payment transfers, bill payments, and fund disbursement, tailored for e-commerce, small and medium enterprises, and larger corporations. The company’s technology enables banks and financial institutions to seamlessly integrate digital products and services into their operations through APIs and user dashboards, allowing for automated payment processing with a focus on enterprise-grade security. This approach helps clients manage their accounts and transactions efficiently, enhancing their overall financial capabilities.

Pagaris

Convertible Note in 2019
Pagaris is a fintech company based in Mexico that supports financial institutions in navigating the emerging Open Banking landscape. With the recent regulatory changes mandating that banks and fintech startups provide APIs, many institutions are struggling to comply. Pagaris offers solutions that not only meet these regulatory requirements but also enhance customer experience by exceeding current consumer expectations. Additionally, Pagaris provides a platform that facilitates online financial transactions through the use of virtual cards, allowing users to make purchases and pay over time, thereby simplifying the payment process. By bridging the gap between compliance and consumer needs, Pagaris positions itself as a vital partner for financial institutions in the evolving digital economy.

XmeBank

Corporate Round in 2018
XmeBank is a financial services platform that provides loans to companies in the catering industry. The company is headquartered in Beijing, China.

Mantl

Seed Round in 2018
Mantl is the first customer-centric outer core ecosystem that gives banks and credit unions the flexibility to innovate using modern technology, while owning their brand throughout the entire customer lifecycle.

Juzi Credit

Seed Round in 2016
Juzi Credit

Bankast

Seed Round in 2016
Bankast offers an alternative and instant payment method through our app, at Android and IOS technologies, which allows users to make instant payments at e-commerce or any other type of transaction. It does not necessary any credit or prepaid cards, virtual accounts, cash or bank transfers. It is just needed the smartphone. How is it possible that in the Internet age, a bank transfer is settled between 1 and 4 calendar days? As former employees of the banking sector, it always surprised us that a SWIFT message of an open letter of credit in Japan takes just a few seconds to transmit all necessary information to a Spanish bank. However, a transfer of 10 EUR between entities within the same country may take up to 4 days to cross the street. Card payments also have certain limitations, given that not all establishments have POS devices either by their lack of access to this service or its committees. If we add that the trade settlement is conducted the day after it has entered commercial operation, we believe that not everything is a flexible and economical system. Perhaps credit institutions or national chambers of compensation have not been hard enough to improve processes and settlement information, through given tacit acceptance to its premises when using their services. Nevertheless, following the liberalization of payment systems, regulation of payment institutions and the establishment of the unified European payments area (SEPA), we saw an opportunity to develop alternative system that is capable of recording, accounting and settling financial transactions between users of different financial institutions, cheaper than any other methods, and in real time