How do you build a fintech with the potential to scale successfully? In collaboration with Copenhagen Fintech, we surveyed over 80 fintechs to explore this challenge and better understand the success criteria.
We also conducted interview with fintech CxOs (including from fintech unicorns), cluster organisations, as well as wider industry experts, exploring perspectives from those with deep hands-on experience.
The Danish and Nordic fintech start-up ecosystem has grown exponentially, with an explosion in the number of investments and companies over the past five years. Fintech is the largest and fastest growing category in the Nordic start-up ecosystem in terms of investments. Yet, despite these favourable conditions, many fintechs still face challenges when they want to scale internationally.
Using our survey and interviews, we’ve uncovered common success factors and devised a series of practical actions that can help start-ups reach their scaling ambitions. While the findings come from fintechs in the Nordics, and will be particularly useful for players in the financial services ecosystem, our recommendations are valuable to start-ups across sectors around the world.
It is not a question about whether or not to scale, it is a question of when
|
98
 98% of fintechs have an ambition to scale |
82
82% say they have a clear roadmap |
62
62% say they have the necessary competencies |
37
37% say they have a global network to assist them in scaling |
Although each fintech is unique and the journey to international scaling looks different for everyone, there are some common success factors that can increase the odds of scaling successfully.
Based on our research, fintechs should consider three recommendations when scaling their businesses.
Create your roadmapCraft a clear roadmap, based on your vision for how to scale your business, and keep evolving it.
Find the right skillsAccess international competencies and keep challenging and upgrading your organisational setup.
Build your networkSurround yourself with the right people, which will allow you to access international advisors and capital.
Scaling a fintech start-up is a discipline
When scaling, it’s a constant trade-off between speed-to-market and building a high-quality scalable product
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