Invests in leading fintech startups with a focus on financial inclusion and digital payments solutions globally.
Outward VC is a venture capital fund empowering start-ups seeking to be the most important fintech companies in the world.
Key people at Outward VC.
Outward VC is a London-based venture capital firm founded in 2019 that invests primarily in early-stage fintech startups across the UK and Europe, with a strong focus on financial inclusion and digital payments solutions globally. Its mission is to empower founders by leading their first institutional funding rounds, providing flexible, transparent investment processes and substantial operational support to help startups scale and breakthrough critical early growth stages. The firm targets startups addressing global challenges at the intersection of financial services and sectors such as data privacy, healthcare, pensions, education, and artificial intelligence. Outward VC’s portfolio includes notable fintech companies like Bud, Curve, Peppy Health, and Vauban, which have collectively raised hundreds of millions in follow-on funding and achieved significant market traction[1][2][5][7].
Outward VC was established in 2019 by key partners including Kevin Chong, Manuel Espinosa, and Sebastien Mafuna, with a vision to support early-stage founders navigating the toughest funding rounds—pre-Series A and Series A—by providing up to £5 million in lead investments. The firm evolved from a focus on traditional financial services to a broader fintech and connected sectors mandate, recognizing the transformative potential of technology to solve societal challenges. Early successes include backing Curve and Bud at their initial institutional rounds, helping these startups secure substantial follow-on capital and scale internationally. This early traction validated Outward VC’s thesis of combining capital with active founder support and network leverage[1][2][3][5].
Outward VC rides the global trend of fintech democratization and financial inclusion, where digital payments and embedded finance are reshaping how individuals and businesses access financial services. The timing is critical as regulatory frameworks mature and consumer adoption of digital financial tools accelerates worldwide. Market forces such as increased demand for seamless, inclusive financial products and the convergence of fintech with sectors like healthcare and education create fertile ground for innovation. Outward VC’s focus on early-stage startups positions it as a catalyst in the ecosystem, enabling founders to build scalable solutions that address systemic challenges and expand financial access globally[1][2][7].
Looking ahead, Outward VC is poised to deepen its impact by deploying its recently closed £51 million Fund II, continuing to lead early-stage rounds and supporting startups through critical growth inflection points. Trends shaping its journey include the rise of embedded finance, AI-driven financial services, and cross-sector fintech applications addressing social challenges. As digital payments and financial inclusion become increasingly central to global economic development, Outward VC’s influence is likely to expand, helping to shape the next generation of fintech leaders with a strong societal mission. Their continued commitment to founder support and strategic capital deployment will be key to sustaining momentum and driving breakthrough innovations[2][5][7].
Key people at Outward VC.
