Tulyp

# Tulyp: High-Level Overview

Tulyp is a fintech platform specializing in trade finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) conducting international business.[1] Founded in February 2022 by Maxime Girres and Gilles Jacottet, the Paris-based company addresses a critical gap in the global trade ecosystem: while large corporations have access to sophisticated trade finance tools, SMEs traditionally lack affordable, transparent solutions for securing cross-border transactions.[1]

The company's core offering centers on three integrated services: payment guarantees that protect both buyers and sellers from non-delivery and fraud, financing solutions that bridge cash flow gaps for 30-120 day transaction cycles, and international payment infrastructure supporting approximately 200 countries and 35 currencies.[3] Tulyp generates revenue by taking a percentage of each guaranteed transaction, with additional income from financing partners.[1] The platform has already attracted several dozen clients across Europe, Asia, and North America, with the company targeting €1 million in annual turnover.[1]

# Origin Story

Tulyp emerged from a clear market observation: traditional banking infrastructure had failed to democratize trade finance for SMEs. The company was previously known as SmarTrade before rebranding as Tulyp.[1] Co-founders Girres and Jacottet recognized that while technological advances had transformed financial transactions for large enterprises, smaller businesses remained dependent on legacy banking processes that were slow, opaque, and often inaccessible.

The startup validated this thesis quickly, securing a €1.5 million seed round led by Speedinvest in early 2022, alongside backing from Kima Ventures, Purple Ventures, and business angels.[1] This early capital injection enabled the team to build out their platform and establish partnerships with financing providers—a critical component of their business model.

# Core Differentiators

• Centralized platform approach: Unlike fragmented legacy banking solutions, Tulyp consolidates payment guarantees, financing, and international payments into a single interface, reducing friction for SMEs managing multi-currency, multi-country transactions.[1][3]

• Accessibility focus: The company explicitly targets the SME segment traditionally underserved by banks, offering trade finance services that were previously reserved for large corporations with dedicated treasury teams.[1]

• Global infrastructure: With 18 payment licenses across major economies, connections to the SWIFT network, and support for 35 currencies, Tulyp provides genuine local payment capabilities rather than generic international transfer services.[3]

• Risk mitigation design: The platform's payment guarantee mechanism—holding funds until goods are secured—directly addresses counterparty and documentary fraud risks that deter SMEs from international trade.[1]

# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Tulyp operates at the intersection of two powerful trends: the digitization of trade finance and the democratization of financial services for SMEs. Global trade has grown exponentially, yet the financial infrastructure supporting it remains largely analog and concentrated among large players. This creates both a market inefficiency and a regulatory opportunity—as governments push for transparency in cross-border transactions, platforms that digitize and standardize these processes gain competitive advantage.

The timing is particularly favorable. Supply chain disruptions post-2020 have forced SMEs to diversify sourcing globally, increasing their need for reliable trade finance. Simultaneously, fintech has proven it can compete with traditional banking in payments and lending, reducing the stigma around non-bank financial solutions. Tulyp's European base also positions it well to serve the EU's regulatory push toward open banking and standardized trade documentation.

By solving a structural problem in global commerce, Tulyp influences the broader ecosystem by making international trade more accessible, which in turn enables smaller manufacturers and traders to compete globally—a shift that could reshape supply chains away from centralized, large-player-dominated models.

# Quick Take & Future Outlook

Tulyp is well-positioned to capture significant market share in the SME trade finance segment, provided it can scale its financing partnerships and expand its geographic footprint. The company's path forward likely involves deepening integrations with accounting software and ERP systems that SMEs already use, reducing friction further. As working capital financing becomes increasingly competitive, Tulyp's differentiation will depend on execution speed and the strength of its partner ecosystem.

The broader question is whether Tulyp can become the "Stripe for trade finance"—a horizontal platform that becomes embedded in how SMEs conduct international business. If successful, it would represent a meaningful shift in how global commerce is financed, moving power away from traditional banks and toward technology-enabled, transparent platforms.