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§ Private Profile · Tustin, CA, USA
Fintech company offering personal loans for credit card debt payoff, using psychology and technology to shift users from borrowers to savers.
Happy Money is a Costa Mesa, California-based fintech company that facilitates unsecured personal loans through credit union partnerships to help consumers pay off credit card debt and improve financial health. Its science-backed, human-centric approach blends psychology and technology, shifting users from borrowers to savers. The company has helped nearly 150,000 members pay off over $2.7 billion in debt, facilitating $1 billion in loans in 2020. With over 350 employees, Happy Money has raised $140 million in total funding, including a $70 million Series D round, from investors including Anthemis Group, CMFG Ventures, FirstMark Capital, and Tencent. Leadership includes Interim CEO Jeff Winner (ex-Goldman Sachs Marcus) and board member Joe Saunders (ex-Visa CEO). Founded in 2009 by Scott Saunders, who now serves as chairman.
Happy Money has raised $174.6M across 6 funding rounds.
Happy Money has raised $174.6M in total across 6 funding rounds.
Happy Money has raised $174.6M in total across 6 funding rounds.
Happy Money's investors include Sean Park, Brian Kaas, CMFG Ventures, SparkLabs Group, Josh Resnick, Anthemis Group, Bessemer Venture Partners, Citi Ventures, FJ Labs, General Catalyst, Red Swan Ventures, Sierra Point Ventures.
Happy Money has raised $174.6M across 6 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $50.0M Series D in February 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 9, 2022 | $50M Series D | Sean Park, Brian Kaas | — | Announced |
| Sep 1, 2019 | $70M Series D | CMFG Ventures | Sparklabs Group, Josh Resnick, Sean Park | Announced |
| Jun 1, 2016 | $47M Series C | — | Anthemis Group, Bessemer Venture Partners, Citi Ventures, FJ Labs, General Catalyst, RED Swan Ventures, Sierra Point Ventures, Teamworthy Ventures, The Finger Group, Alexander Saint Amand | Announced |
| Feb 1, 2015 | $500K Series B | — | MS&AD Ventures, Sparklabs Group | Announced |
| Dec 1, 2013 | $7M Series A | — | Anthemis Group, Bessemer Venture Partners, Citi Ventures, FJ Labs, General Catalyst, RED Swan Ventures, Sierra Point Ventures, Teamworthy Ventures, The Finger Group, Alexander Saint Amand | Announced |
| Nov 1, 2010 | $50K Seed | — | — | Announced |
Happy Money is a fintech company founded in 2009 that provides digitally native financial tools, specializing in personal loans for credit card debt consolidation to help borrowers transition to savers.[1][2][4] Its flagship product, The Payoff Loan, is powered by the proprietary Hive lending platform, which offers a fully digital experience for underwriting, origination, servicing, and funding partnerships with credit unions, banks, and asset managers.[2][3] Serving over 350,000 customers and facilitating $6.5 billion in loans—previously helping 100,000 members pay off nearly $1.8 billion in credit card debt—Happy Money solves high-interest debt burdens through transparent, responsible lending that empowers financial goals.[1][3] The company has shown hyper-growth, with monthly loan originations up over 400% year-to-date as of October 2025, supported by recent platform upgrades and strategic funding from investors like TruStage Ventures and BlackRock.[2][4]
Happy Money was founded in 2009 in Torrance, California, as a financial technology company aimed at delivering affordable tools to turn borrowers into savers, with a mission to make money a tool for happiness.[1][3][4] Key leadership includes CEO Joe Heck, alongside executives from partners like TruStage and BlackRock, reflecting strong institutional backing.[3][4] Early traction came from its purpose-driven marketplace connecting consumers with mission-aligned capital partners, helping over 100,000 members eliminate $1.8 billion in credit card debt.[1] Pivotal moments include a strategic transaction led by TruStage Ventures for growth and capabilities enhancement, plus 2025 upgrades to Hive that accelerated originations 400%+.[2][4] The company's evolution from debt payoff focus to a scalable lending ecosystem, including office expansions for hybrid work, underscores its hyper-growth trajectory.[1]
Happy Money rides the fintech wave in consumer lending and debt consolidation, capitalizing on rising credit card debt amid economic pressures and demand for digital alternatives to traditional banking.[1][2][7] Its timing aligns with post-pandemic hybrid work and AI advancements, evident in Hive's automation and modeling that streamline operations and scale partnerships—key as banks seek yield in a high-interest environment.[1][2] Market forces like regulatory pushes for responsible lending and investors' appetite for private credit assets favor its model, positioning it as a bridge between consumers and institutions.[3][4] By influencing the ecosystem through high-volume originations ($6.5B total) and tools for balance sheet diversification, Happy Money accelerates fintech adoption in personal finance, earning accolades and fueling sector innovation.[2][4][6]
Happy Money's momentum—fueled by Hive enhancements and strategic funding—positions it for expanded products beyond debt consolidation, deeper partner integrations, and potential pre-IPO growth via platforms like Nasdaq Private Market.[2][4][5] Trends like AI-driven underwriting, rising personal loan demand, and private credit expansion will shape its path, amplifying influence in fintech lending.[2] As it scales from $6.5B in loans, expect evolved leadership in "happy" finance, turning more borrowers into savers amid economic shifts—proving money as a happiness tool starts here.[3][7]