We are suckers for business lists (we now regularly update 27 here).

One that we’ve long admired is the Fast Company annual list of the most innovative companies. Their main list highlights the 50 most innovative across all industries. This year it includes two fintech companies, Nubank at #3 and Robinhood at #16. They also publish verticle including the 15 most innovative companies in Finance and Personal Finance.

1. Nubank

Brazilian digital bank expanding family-focused services, including teen accounts and shared budgeting tools, achieving over 100 million customers and 30% return on equity.

  • 🌐 Website: nubank.com.br

  • 📍 Headquarters: São Paulo, Brazil

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2013

  • 💰 Total Funding: $4.2 billion

2. Robinhood

Online brokerage with subscription services, crypto trading and prediction markets.

  • 🌐 Website: robinhood.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, USA

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2013

  • 💰 Total Funding: $5.6 billion

3. Airwallex

Global payments platform providing cost-effective cross-border transactions, enabling businesses to operate seamlessly across international markets.

  • 🌐 Website: airwallex.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2015

  • 💰 Total Funding: More than $900 million

4. Human Interest

Simplified 401(k)s for small businesses through digital onboarding and payroll integrations, becoming the fastest-growing provider in the U.S.

  • 🌐 Website: humaninterest.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2015

  • 💰 Total Funding: $267 million

5. Moniepoint

African fintech offering payment services to over 2 million businesses, facilitating quick and reliable money movement across the continent.

  • 🌐 Website: moniepoint.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: Lagos, Nigeria

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2015

  • 💰 Total Funding: $110 million

6. Comun

A neobank tailored for Latino immigrants in the U.S., offering accessible banking services to help users build credit and achieve financial stability

  • 🌐 Website: comun.app

  • 📍 Headquarters: New York, New York, USA

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2021

  • 💰 Total Funding: $21.5 million

7. Figure Technologies

Utilizes blockchain technology to streamline home equity loans and other financial services, enhancing efficiency and transparency in lending processes.

  • 🌐 Website: figure.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2018

  • 💰 Total Funding: $675 million

8. Zip

Procurement platform streamlining purchasing processes for businesses, enhancing efficiency and compliance in enterprise spending.

  • 🌐 Website: ziphq.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2020

  • 💰 Total Funding: Over $371 million

9. Middesk

Business verification company automating compliance and fraud prevention, assisting enterprises in onboarding and managing business identities effectively

  • 🌐 Website: middesk.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2018

  • 💰 Total Funding: $77 million

10. Stash

Investing app introducing AI-powered Money Coach to personalize financial advice for first-time savers, integrating customer data for tailored experiences.

  • 🌐 Website: stash.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: New York, New York, USA

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2015

  • 💰 Total Funding: $146 million

11. Atticus

Provides a platform connecting individuals with legal representation for disability benefits and workers’ compensation claims, simplifying access to justice for those in need.

  • 🌐 Website: atticus.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, USA

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2018

  • 💰 Total Funding: $28 million

12. Origin

Financial wellness platform offering personalized advice and tools to help employees manage compensation, benefits, and financial planning.

  • 🌐 Website: useorigin.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2018

  • 💰 Total Funding: $68 million

13. Imprint

Partners with brands to offer customized credit card programs, enabling companies to provide tailored financial products directly to their customers.

  • 🌐 Website: imprint.co

  • 📍 Headquarters: New York, New York, USA

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2020

  • 💰 Total Funding: $75 million

14. AfterHour

Community platform for active traders to discuss strategies and market insights, complementing trading experiences with social engagement.

  • 🌐 Website: afterhour.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: [Location not publicly disclosed]

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2023

  • 💰 Total Funding: $4.5 million

15. Flashfood

A mobile app that helps consumers purchase surplus grocery items at discounted prices, aiming to reduce food waste and promote savings.

  • 🌐 Website: flashfood.com

  • 📍 Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • 🗓️ Founded: 2016

  • 💰 Total Funding: $13.8 million