Partnership Between iBanFirst and SeedBlink Aims to Accelerate Startup Funding

Cross-border transaction fintech iBanFirst has made a significant move in the financial landscape by announcing a strategic partnership with equity and investment platform SeedBlink. This collaboration aims to provide a bespoke solution tailored for startups seeking fundraising opportunities and their private investors. The partnership is designed to enhance the fundraising process by ensuring faster onboarding and granting access to preferential foreign exchange (FX) rates for currency trading.

In the realm of traditional banking, many solutions have struggled to meet the efficiency and customization needs of investment platforms. This often leads to slower transaction times, higher operational costs, and cumbersome administrative processes that can hinder the progress of startups. The partnership between iBanFirst and SeedBlink directly addresses these pain points by introducing dedicated collection accounts for each funding round on iBanFirst's platform. This innovative approach facilitates the collection of multi-currency investments from approximately 50 European investors per project, streamlining the fundraising experience and making it more accessible for startups.

One of the most notable advantages of this collaboration is the dramatic reduction in onboarding time for each account. Historically, onboarding with traditional financial providers could take up to 10 days, creating delays that could impact a startup's ability to secure funding. However, with the new system implemented through the iBanFirst and SeedBlink partnership, this process has been significantly accelerated, now taking just a few hours. Johan Gabriels, Regional Director for South-East Europe at iBanFirst, highlighted the importance of this development by stating, "Collaborating with SeedBlink to introduce dedicated collection accounts represents a significant milestone in enhancing financial accessibility and transaction efficiency for scaling startups."

Gabriels emphasized that the partnership reflects iBanFirst's commitment to empowering businesses with seamless international payment solutions and personalized financial services that cater to their unique needs. By facilitating quicker access to funding, the collaboration allows startups to focus on their core business operations and growth strategies without being bogged down by financial administrative hurdles.

Carmen Sebe, the CEO of SeedBlink, echoed the sentiment of mutual benefit inherent in this partnership. She remarked, "Our partnership with iBanFirst underscores our commitment to providing top-tier financial solutions and democratizing a wide range of opportunities for both startups and investors." This commitment to accessibility is crucial in fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, where innovative ideas can flourish without being stifled by financial barriers.

For investors, this collaboration results in significantly improved financial terms for their currency exchanges and international payments. Investors can commit funds primarily in euros, which simplifies the investment process. However, in cases where a fundraising startup is based in Switzerland, the investments will be converted into the appropriate currency before being transferred to the startup, ensuring that the startups receive the necessary funds in their local currency without facing unfavorable exchange rates.

This partnership between iBanFirst and SeedBlink signifies a forward-thinking approach to addressing the evolving needs of the startup ecosystem. By enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of fundraising for both startups and their investors, the collaboration aims to foster a more inclusive financial environment where innovation can thrive. As the landscape of investment continues to evolve, such partnerships are crucial in ensuring that startups have the support and resources they need to succeed in a competitive market.