Fintech Investors & VC Firms

Advice to Fintech Startups Wanting to Fundraise

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:

• Who’s still investing in fintech and what they’re looking for.
• How to raise capital, whether from VCs, corporate investors, or alternative sources.
• Which fintech business models and sectors are still attracting capital.

Can Fintech Still Raise Big Rounds? Here’s What Investors Want to See

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.

Who’s Writing Checks? The Different Types of Fintech Investors

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.

Early-Stage vs. Growth-Stage Fintech Funding: What’s Changing?

💰 Pre-Seed & Seed:

• Investors expect early validation, partnerships, and a clear monetization plan.
• You need sustained proof of demand beyond the waitlists.

💰 Series A:

• Investors want repeatable revenue, strong customer retention, and operational efficiency.
• Enterprise fintech startups should highlight pipeline momentum and expansion strategy.

💰 Series B & Beyond:

• Profitability (or at least clear unit economics) is becoming a must.
• Investors are scrutinizing regulatory risk, compliance, and fraud mitigation more than ever.

Pitching Fintech Investors: How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market

📊 What investors want to see in your pitch deck:

• Business Model Slide – How does your fintech startup make money? And why will customers stick around?
• Customer Acquisition Slide – If your CAC is higher than your LTV, investors will pass.
• Path to Market Dominance (AKA the Roadmap) – Show a clear path to scalability.

🚫 Mistakes That Kill Fintech Pitches:

• No differentiation beyond pricing – Being cheaper than Stripe isn’t a business model.
• Ignoring compliance & security – Fintech is built on trust—investors need to know you’re de-risking fraud and regulation concerns.
• Unrealistic customer growth models – "If we just capture 1% of the market..." is not a strategy.

Where Fintech Startups Actually Get Funding (Beyond VC)

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.

What’s Hot in Fintech Right Now? The Sectors Still Getting Funded

📌 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.

Find the Best Fintech Investors and VC Firms on OpenVC

🚀 Think you’re ready to raise money for your startup? Here’s how OpenVC helps fintech founders like you:

• Browse our directory – Filter 5000+ investors by check size, stage, and create an investor list.
• Access investor insights – See which firms are actively investing in fintech today.
• Submit your pitch deck directly – Skip the cold outreach and connect with real fintech investors.
• Manage investor communications – Use OpenVC as your new fundraising CRM.
• Get funded – Find the right partner and secure your raise.

Join OpenVC — it’s completely free!