insiderblmFinancial technology companies in the U.S. raised $3.5 billion in the first half of 2017, according to KPMG, as investors rushed to place bets in buzzy sectors like insurance and digital currencies.
The U.S. is now home to 13 fintech unicorns that have scored valuations of at least $1 billion. This year alone, Robinhood (free trading), AvidXChange (automated invoicing for small businesses) and Symphony (Wall Street messaging platform) all joined the billion-dollar club.
Here are the ten most valuable private, venture-backed fintech players based in the U.S.:
1. Stripe
Value: $9.2 billion*
Founded: 2010
Founders: Patrick and John Collison
CEO: Patrick Collison
2. SoFi
Value: $4.3 billion
Founded: 2011
Founders: Mike Cagney, Dan Macklin, James Finnigan,
Ian Brady, Andy Carra
CEO: Mike Cagney
Offers student loan refinancing and other services to Millennials
3. GreenSky
Value: $3.6 billion
Founded: 2006
Founders: David Zalik, Larry Smith
CEO: David Zalik
Provides on-the-spot financing for home-improvement projects via its network of contractors. (For more, check out Forbes’ cover story on GreenSky.)
4. Credit Karma
Value: $3.5 billion
Founded: 2007
Founders: Kenneth Lin, Nichole Mustard, Ryan Graciano
CEO: Kenneth Lin
Offers free credit scores and recommendations for credit cards and loans
5. Oscar
Value: $2.7 billion
Founded: 2013
Founders: Josh Kushner, Mario Schlosser, Kevin Nazemi
CEO: Mario Schlosser
Makes it simpler to buy and use health insurance under Obamacare
6. Avant
Value: $2 billion
Founded: 2012
Founders: Al Goldstein, John Sun, Paul Zhang
CEO: Al Goldstein
Makes quick online loans to consumers with lower credit scores
7. Zenefits
Value: $2 billion
Founded: 2013
Founders: Parker Conrad, Laks Srini
CEO: Jay Fulcher
Sells a cloud-based human resources platform for businesses
8. Prosper
Value: $1.9 billion
Founded: 2005
Founders: Chris Larsen, John Witchel
CEO: David Kimball
Connects borrowers and investors for unsecured personal loans
9. AvidXchange
Value: $1.4 billion
Founded: 2000
Founders: Michael Praeger, David Miller
CEO: Michael Praeger
Automates invoicing and bill payments for businesses
10. Robinhood
Value: $1.3 billion
Founded: 2013
Founders: Baiju Bhatt, Vladimir Tenev
Co-CEOs: Baiju Bhatt, Vladimir Tenev
Offers free trades of stocks and ETFs via mobile app
*Valuations are from PitchBook and CB Insights.
