- Source: Lightyear (investment platform)
Lightyear is a UK-based financial technology company providing investment services across 22 European countries. Lightyear offers investments in international stock exchanges, exchange-traded funds, commodities, BlackRock money market funds, and interest on uninvested capital for both individuals and businesses. The Lightyear platform is available as a mobile app and web application.
Lightyear is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority and Estonia's Finantsinspektsioon.
History
Founded in 2020 by Martin Sokk and Mihkel Aamer, both former employees of Wise, Lightyear was inspired by the founders’ personal experiences with investing. In their home country of Estonia, investing in the stock market was challenging and costly, and they recognised that investors across Europe faced similar issues.
Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn and Wise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus (who was Skype's first employee) led Lightyear’s initial funding round of $1.5 million in June 2021. In September 2021, Lightyear launched its retail investment platform in the UK and secured an additional $8.5 million in a second funding round led by Mosaic Ventures.
In May 2022, Lightyear hired Wander Rutgers, former President of Robinhood, as Chief Operating Officer to support the compliance and financial infrastructure side of the business. In July 2022, Lightyear expanded its services to all eurozone countries and announced a $25 million funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, with participation from Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson and other angel investors.
In 2024, Lightyear entered the B2B market with the launch of business accounts.
References
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