Last update: March 11, 2025
Browse OpenVC's database of investors funding startups in fintech, financial services, and payments technology.
Your startup is competing in one of the most high-stakes, high-reward industries in the world, where product-market fit isn’t enough, and regulatory missteps can kill momentum overnight. The right investor for you is much more than a check. They should be a strategic partner helping you navigate compliance landmines, unlock strategic partnerships, and scale in an overly crowded market.
But finding those investors? That’s where most founders struggle (especially with the state of fintech funding today). Not all fintech VCs understand the nuances of payment flows, underwriting risk, or embedded finance. Don’t waste time pitching the wrong investors, and opr else you’ll stall your raise before it even starts.
This guide is for fintech founders that want to know:
In 2023, global fintech investment hit a six-year low, with late-stage startups suffering the hardest declines. According to Crunchbase, early-stage fintech funding also dropped to its lowest level since 2016, signaling that VCs are being far more selective.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. 2025 VCs are taking an interest in AI-driven financial automation, embedded finance, blockchain tech, and modern B2B payments infrastructure. Startups that can align with these priorities will find plenty of opportunities to secure funding and scale.
Unfortunately, the days of raising $20 million on a sleek app and a long waitlist are gone. Investors today expect:
✅ A path to profitability – Rapid growth isn’t enough. Fintech investors want to see clear revenue models and unit economics that work.
✅ Retention over acquisition – A fintech product isn’t valuable if users drop off after signup. Investors prioritize high LTV and sustainable CAC.
✅ A real competitive edge – UI and branding don’t count as moats. Those that successfully raised differentiate through regulatory strategy, partnerships, data, and infrastructure.
✅ A valuation rooted in today’s market – You must be able to effectively value your startup. Don’t approach investors with the same numbers they saw 8 years ago.
Not all fintech investors are created equal. Here’s where the funding is coming from in 2024:
🔹 Fintech-Focused VCs: (Ribbit Capital, QED Investors, Andreessen Horowitz) 🔹 Generalist VCs with Fintech Interest: (Sequoia, Lightspeed, Accel) 🔹 Corporate VCs from Banks & Financial Institutions: (Citi Ventures, Goldman Sachs Growth, American Express Ventures) 🔹 Fintech Accelerators & Venture Debt Providers
💡 Pro Tip: Banks are increasingly acting like VCs. Some fintech startups raise more from strategic banking partners than from traditional venture capitalists.
💰 Pre-Seed & Seed:
💰 Series A:
💰 Series B & Beyond:
📊 What investors want to see in your pitch deck:
🚫 Mistakes That Kill Fintech Pitches:
VC isn’t the only option. Many fintech startups use alternative funding sources to scale smarter. The key is knowing where to look and which investors align with your business model and stage.
💰 Venture Capital – Big checks, but big expectations. Ideal for startups with high growth potential and clear scalability.
🏦 Corporate VCs & Bank Investments – Slower, but often better aligned with long-term fintech growth, especially for startups working in payments, lending, and financial infrastructure.
🚀 Venture Debt – Useful for startups that need traction or non-dilutive capital, often providing mentorship and industry connections alongside funding.
🤝 Embedded Finance & Strategic Partnerships – Some fintechs raise capital directly from BaaS providers, payment networks, and financial institutions looking to expand their ecosystem.
📈 Private Equity (PE) Firms – More common for later-stage fintech startups with proven revenue models, looking for growth capital or acquisition opportunities.
👼 Angel Investors – High-net-worth individuals who invest early and provide industry expertise, often valuable for fintech founders navigating their first round.
🏡 Family Offices – Long-term investors who may take a more patient approach to fintech investments, often looking for stable returns over aggressive growth.
🛠 Incubators & Accelerators – Early-stage programs offering funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, particularly valuable for first-time founders.
📌 Embedded Finance – Fintech is moving behind the scenes, integrating into SaaS and enterprise platforms. 📌 B2B Payments & Infrastructure – There’s less focus on consumer fintech, more on business payments and compliance tooling. 📌 AI-Powered Risk & Fraud Prevention – AI applied to fraud detection, credit underwriting, and identity verification. 📌 WealthTech & Alternative Investments – Next-gen wealth management, fractional investing, and private market access.
📌 Blockchain and DeFi – Stablecoins and decentralized finances are rapidly finding more real-world use cases. 📌 Financial Inclusion & Credit Innovation – Expanding credit access to underserved markets remains a strong investment thesis.
📌 Climatetech– Finance is a critical component for sustainability and transforming our economy into a carbon-neutral powerhouse.
🚀 Think you’re ready to raise money for your startup? Here’s how OpenVC helps fintech founders like you:
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