Revenir

Your free money back to you with the trust of your own bank.

Individuals and corporations to claim back their value-added tax globally.

High-Level Overview

Revenir is a fintech company that provides the first API solution to automate VAT (Value Added Tax) reclaim processes for international purchases, primarily targeting banks, card providers, and their customers. Its product integrates seamlessly into banking apps, enabling travelers and corporate clients to reclaim VAT effortlessly by uploading receipts, with refunds processed quickly and without the traditional paperwork hassle. Revenir leverages artificial intelligence, machine learning, and optical recognition to streamline VAT recovery, making tax reclaim accessible, fast, and user-friendly. The company’s mission is to democratize VAT reclaims by simplifying and automating the process, thereby adding value to customers and financial institutions alike[1][2][3][4].

For an investment firm perspective, Revenir’s mission centers on revolutionizing financial inefficiencies in VAT reclaim through innovative technology. Its investment philosophy likely emphasizes fintech innovation that enhances user experience and operational efficiency. Key sectors include fintech, banking technology, and tax automation. Revenir impacts the startup ecosystem by pioneering API-driven tax reclaim solutions, fostering partnerships with banks and tax authorities, and accelerating digital transformation in financial services[1][2].

Origin Story

Revenir was founded in 2019 by Shawn Du, a Canadian entrepreneur who conceived the idea after experiencing the cumbersome VAT reclaim process at airports, where he faced long queues and high broker fees. Initially launched as Refund Giant, a manual tax refund agent, the company evolved into an API-driven fintech solution during Shawn’s time at Imperial College London, where the vision for automating VAT reclaim was refined. The company gained early traction through participation in accelerators such as Y Combinator (Winter 2020 batch) and Accenture’s Fintech Innovation Lab, raising £2.5 million in seed funding in 2022. This support helped expand the team and develop partnerships with banks and tax authorities, solidifying Revenir’s position in the market[1][2][3][4][5].

Core Differentiators

• API-first approach: Revenir offers the first API solution that integrates VAT reclaim directly into banking apps, enabling seamless user experiences without manual paperwork[1][2][3].
• Automation and AI: Uses machine learning and optical character recognition to automatically identify eligible VAT transactions from uploaded receipts, speeding up the reclaim process and reducing errors[3][4].
• Partnerships: Strong collaborations with banks, card providers, and tax authorities worldwide facilitate smooth, compliant VAT recovery and refund processing[1][2][3].
• User experience: Eliminates traditional pain points such as long queues, complex forms, and broker fees by enabling instant claim submissions and real-time tracking within familiar banking interfaces[1][4].
• Sustainability: Employs energy-efficient AWS hosting and maintains an environmentally responsible platform design[3].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Revenir rides the growing trend of fintech automation and embedded finance, where financial services are integrated directly into consumer platforms like banking apps. The timing is favorable due to increasing global travel, rising consumer expectations for seamless digital experiences, and regulatory pressures for transparent tax compliance. Market forces such as the complexity of cross-border VAT rules and the inefficiency of legacy reclaim processes create a strong demand for automated solutions. By simplifying VAT reclaim, Revenir influences the broader ecosystem by enabling banks to offer enhanced value-added services, improving customer retention, and pushing tax authorities toward digital modernization[1][2][4].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Revenir is positioned to become a standard feature in banking applications worldwide, as VAT reclaim through banking apps is expected to become a consumer expectation. Future trends shaping their journey include expanding AI capabilities, broadening partnerships with financial institutions and tax authorities, and possibly extending their technology to other tax-related services. Their influence may evolve from a niche VAT reclaim tool to a broader fintech platform that empowers consumers and businesses to reclaim and manage taxes effortlessly, driving further innovation in embedded finance and regulatory technology[1][4][5].