Valar Ventures

Valar Fund V is an early-stage venture capital fund managed by Valar Ventures, a firm founded in 2010 and based in New York City. The fund focuses on investing in technology companies, particularly within the financial technology sector, and aims to partner with entrepreneurs across the globe. Valar Ventures, backed by Peter Thiel, recognizes the growing potential of transformative technology companies emerging outside of Silicon Valley and aims to provide these founders with support tailored to their specific challenges and opportunities. Valar Fund V, established in 2019, reflects the firm's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship on a global scale.

Amina Abrahams

Principal

Giff Carter

Investor

James Fitzgerald

Founding Partner

Andrew McCormack

Founding and General Partner

Erin Ashley Porterfield

Associate

Reuben Kobulnik

Operating Partner

Michael Roth

Principal

John Rees Selby

Principal

Sahar Shirazi

Principal

Past deals in Retail Lending

Petal

Venture Round in 2023
Petal Card, Inc. is a credit card company focused on providing financial access to individuals without traditional credit histories, such as students and immigrants. Founded in 2015 and based in New York, the company utilizes machine learning to analyze users' digital financial records, allowing for cash flow underwriting as an alternative to conventional credit scoring. This innovative approach enables Petal to offer higher credit limits and lower rates compared to competing credit cards. The company's flagship product, the Petal Visa, is designed to promote responsible spending and credit-building, accompanied by a user-friendly digital application for managing payments. Petal aims to make credit more honest, simple, and accessible, fostering a financial environment that encourages users to succeed.

Petal

Series D in 2022
Petal Card, Inc. is a credit card company focused on providing financial access to individuals without traditional credit histories, such as students and immigrants. Founded in 2015 and based in New York, the company utilizes machine learning to analyze users' digital financial records, allowing for cash flow underwriting as an alternative to conventional credit scoring. This innovative approach enables Petal to offer higher credit limits and lower rates compared to competing credit cards. The company's flagship product, the Petal Visa, is designed to promote responsible spending and credit-building, accompanied by a user-friendly digital application for managing payments. Petal aims to make credit more honest, simple, and accessible, fostering a financial environment that encourages users to succeed.

Nearside

Series B in 2021
Nearside, founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, California, specializes in providing lines of credit for small business owners. The company offers a unique Hatch card that allows users to access funds for daily business expenses, addressing the needs of those who may struggle to secure credit from traditional sources. By empowering business owners with essential financial tools and support, Nearside aims to facilitate their success and improve access to credit for small businesses.

Kafene

Series A in 2021
Kafene is a startup focused on providing flexible payment solutions to consumers, particularly those who may face difficulties with traditional debt products. The company offers a range of financing options for various products, including furniture, appliances, electronics, musical instruments, and jewelry. Kafene's innovative approach allows consumers to return items without incurring residual debt if they can no longer make payments, promoting financial freedom. The platform leverages advanced technology, including app-based point-of-sale systems and artificial intelligence for underwriting, to deliver near-instantaneous approval and payment capabilities. This enables Kafene to serve a wide customer base across the full credit spectrum, facilitating access to essential goods while maintaining a commitment to responsible lending practices.

Velocity

Series A in 2021
Provider of banking and financial services intended to fund companies or offer credit based on their sales. The company provides a range of financial services including term loans, revenue-based financing, overdrafts, payments as well as analytics for businesses with zero equity dilution or personal guarantees, enabling clients to avail an alternative to venture capital or loan where repayments happen as a fixed percentage of future revenues.

Octane

Series D in 2021
Octane Lending, Inc. operates an online lending platform that connects automobile dealers with customers seeking financing. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York, the company aims to streamline the vehicle purchasing process, particularly in the fast-paced $21 billion Powersports market. Octane facilitates the submission of credit applications to multiple lenders, including both prime and sub-prime options, and enhances sales of backend products through automated insurance estimates and warranty offerings. By leveraging innovative underwriting and credit products, Octane provides instant and frictionless financing options via its in-house lender, Roadrunner Financial. The platform not only assists consumers in securing loans but also supports dealers by routing customers to partner dealerships for efficient transactions and offering comprehensive loan servicing throughout the financing journey. Through its editorial brands, Octane reaches millions of enthusiasts, helping them connect with their passions while simplifying the financing experience.

Kafene

Series A in 2021
Kafene is a startup focused on providing flexible payment solutions to consumers, particularly those who may face difficulties with traditional debt products. The company offers a range of financing options for various products, including furniture, appliances, electronics, musical instruments, and jewelry. Kafene's innovative approach allows consumers to return items without incurring residual debt if they can no longer make payments, promoting financial freedom. The platform leverages advanced technology, including app-based point-of-sale systems and artificial intelligence for underwriting, to deliver near-instantaneous approval and payment capabilities. This enables Kafene to serve a wide customer base across the full credit spectrum, facilitating access to essential goods while maintaining a commitment to responsible lending practices.

Velocity

Seed Round in 2021
Provider of banking and financial services intended to fund companies or offer credit based on their sales. The company provides a range of financial services including term loans, revenue-based financing, overdrafts, payments as well as analytics for businesses with zero equity dilution or personal guarantees, enabling clients to avail an alternative to venture capital or loan where repayments happen as a fixed percentage of future revenues.

BlockFi

Series D in 2021
BlockFi, Inc. is a financial services company focused on providing wealth management products for cryptocurrency investors. Established in 2017 and headquartered in New York, it offers a range of services including the BlockFi Interest Account, which allows clients to earn interest on their holdings of Bitcoin, Ether, and Gemini Dollar. The company also facilitates secured loans in U.S. dollars, backed by clients' cryptocurrency assets, thereby enhancing liquidity in the blockchain asset market. In addition to lending and interest-earning accounts, BlockFi provides a trading platform for exchanging various cryptocurrency pairs and offers services tailored for institutional clients. By holding clients' digital assets with a registered custodian, BlockFi aims to deliver transparency and efficiency in digital financial markets. The company's mission is to address the evolving needs of both individual and institutional investors in the cryptocurrency space.

BlockFi

Series D in 2021
BlockFi, Inc. is a financial services company focused on providing wealth management products for cryptocurrency investors. Established in 2017 and headquartered in New York, it offers a range of services including the BlockFi Interest Account, which allows clients to earn interest on their holdings of Bitcoin, Ether, and Gemini Dollar. The company also facilitates secured loans in U.S. dollars, backed by clients' cryptocurrency assets, thereby enhancing liquidity in the blockchain asset market. In addition to lending and interest-earning accounts, BlockFi provides a trading platform for exchanging various cryptocurrency pairs and offers services tailored for institutional clients. By holding clients' digital assets with a registered custodian, BlockFi aims to deliver transparency and efficiency in digital financial markets. The company's mission is to address the evolving needs of both individual and institutional investors in the cryptocurrency space.

BlockFi

Series C in 2020
BlockFi, Inc. is a financial services company focused on providing wealth management products for cryptocurrency investors. Established in 2017 and headquartered in New York, it offers a range of services including the BlockFi Interest Account, which allows clients to earn interest on their holdings of Bitcoin, Ether, and Gemini Dollar. The company also facilitates secured loans in U.S. dollars, backed by clients' cryptocurrency assets, thereby enhancing liquidity in the blockchain asset market. In addition to lending and interest-earning accounts, BlockFi provides a trading platform for exchanging various cryptocurrency pairs and offers services tailored for institutional clients. By holding clients' digital assets with a registered custodian, BlockFi aims to deliver transparency and efficiency in digital financial markets. The company's mission is to address the evolving needs of both individual and institutional investors in the cryptocurrency space.

Petal

Series C in 2020
Petal Card, Inc. is a credit card company focused on providing financial access to individuals without traditional credit histories, such as students and immigrants. Founded in 2015 and based in New York, the company utilizes machine learning to analyze users' digital financial records, allowing for cash flow underwriting as an alternative to conventional credit scoring. This innovative approach enables Petal to offer higher credit limits and lower rates compared to competing credit cards. The company's flagship product, the Petal Visa, is designed to promote responsible spending and credit-building, accompanied by a user-friendly digital application for managing payments. Petal aims to make credit more honest, simple, and accessible, fostering a financial environment that encourages users to succeed.

BlockFi

Series B in 2020
BlockFi, Inc. is a financial services company focused on providing wealth management products for cryptocurrency investors. Established in 2017 and headquartered in New York, it offers a range of services including the BlockFi Interest Account, which allows clients to earn interest on their holdings of Bitcoin, Ether, and Gemini Dollar. The company also facilitates secured loans in U.S. dollars, backed by clients' cryptocurrency assets, thereby enhancing liquidity in the blockchain asset market. In addition to lending and interest-earning accounts, BlockFi provides a trading platform for exchanging various cryptocurrency pairs and offers services tailored for institutional clients. By holding clients' digital assets with a registered custodian, BlockFi aims to deliver transparency and efficiency in digital financial markets. The company's mission is to address the evolving needs of both individual and institutional investors in the cryptocurrency space.

Octane

Series C in 2019
Octane Lending, Inc. operates an online lending platform that connects automobile dealers with customers seeking financing. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York, the company aims to streamline the vehicle purchasing process, particularly in the fast-paced $21 billion Powersports market. Octane facilitates the submission of credit applications to multiple lenders, including both prime and sub-prime options, and enhances sales of backend products through automated insurance estimates and warranty offerings. By leveraging innovative underwriting and credit products, Octane provides instant and frictionless financing options via its in-house lender, Roadrunner Financial. The platform not only assists consumers in securing loans but also supports dealers by routing customers to partner dealerships for efficient transactions and offering comprehensive loan servicing throughout the financing journey. Through its editorial brands, Octane reaches millions of enthusiasts, helping them connect with their passions while simplifying the financing experience.

BlockFi

Series A in 2019
BlockFi is a secured non-bank lender that offers USD loans to crypto-asset owners who collateralize the loan with their crypto-assets. Their products bring additional liquidity to the blockchain asset sector and meet the needs of both individuals and institutions holding blockchain assets. BlockFi holds clients' Bitcoin and Ether with a registered custodian and issues loans in USD to their bank accounts. Currently operating in beta launch, lending in 35 US states to retail investors and companies. BlockFi’s mission is to provide liquidity, transparency, and efficiency to digital financial markets by creating products that meet the needs of consumers and corporations across the globe. They leverage a sophisticated infrastructure that integrates with multiple blockchains, they plan to expand their product set based on their retail and institutional client's needs.

Kafene

Seed Round in 2019
Kafene is a startup focused on providing flexible payment solutions to consumers, particularly those who may face difficulties with traditional debt products. The company offers a range of financing options for various products, including furniture, appliances, electronics, musical instruments, and jewelry. Kafene's innovative approach allows consumers to return items without incurring residual debt if they can no longer make payments, promoting financial freedom. The platform leverages advanced technology, including app-based point-of-sale systems and artificial intelligence for underwriting, to deliver near-instantaneous approval and payment capabilities. This enables Kafene to serve a wide customer base across the full credit spectrum, facilitating access to essential goods while maintaining a commitment to responsible lending practices.

Petal

Series B in 2019
Petal Card, Inc. is a credit card company focused on providing financial access to individuals without traditional credit histories, such as students and immigrants. Founded in 2015 and based in New York, the company utilizes machine learning to analyze users' digital financial records, allowing for cash flow underwriting as an alternative to conventional credit scoring. This innovative approach enables Petal to offer higher credit limits and lower rates compared to competing credit cards. The company's flagship product, the Petal Visa, is designed to promote responsible spending and credit-building, accompanied by a user-friendly digital application for managing payments. Petal aims to make credit more honest, simple, and accessible, fostering a financial environment that encourages users to succeed.

LoanStreet

Series A in 2018
LoanStreet Inc. operates an integrated, online platform that streamlines the process of sharing, managing, and originating loans for credit unions, banks, and direct lenders. It offers LoanStreet that provides access to a nationwide network of lenders and investors, track the performance of their loan portfolio, and more grow and diversify their balance sheet. The company’s LoanStreet provides real-time reporting, standardized agreements, balance sheet management, and automated reporting. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in New York, New York.

January

Seed Round in 2018
Debtsy is building and enforcing trust in consumer finance. Borrowers in delinquency and default face harassment, hidden fees, and harmed credit scores. Creditors lose out on recoveries, expose themselves to compliance and operational risks, and compromise the trust on which their relationships with borrowers are built. Debtsy is designed from the ground up to utilize technology to provide a more streamlined, compliant, and effective resolution process for borrowers and creditors alike.

Petal

Series A in 2018
Petal Card, Inc. is a credit card company focused on providing financial access to individuals without traditional credit histories, such as students and immigrants. Founded in 2015 and based in New York, the company utilizes machine learning to analyze users' digital financial records, allowing for cash flow underwriting as an alternative to conventional credit scoring. This innovative approach enables Petal to offer higher credit limits and lower rates compared to competing credit cards. The company's flagship product, the Petal Visa, is designed to promote responsible spending and credit-building, accompanied by a user-friendly digital application for managing payments. Petal aims to make credit more honest, simple, and accessible, fostering a financial environment that encourages users to succeed.

Petal

Funding Round in 2017
Petal Card, Inc. is a credit card company focused on providing financial access to individuals without traditional credit histories, such as students and immigrants. Founded in 2015 and based in New York, the company utilizes machine learning to analyze users' digital financial records, allowing for cash flow underwriting as an alternative to conventional credit scoring. This innovative approach enables Petal to offer higher credit limits and lower rates compared to competing credit cards. The company's flagship product, the Petal Visa, is designed to promote responsible spending and credit-building, accompanied by a user-friendly digital application for managing payments. Petal aims to make credit more honest, simple, and accessible, fostering a financial environment that encourages users to succeed.

Octane

Series A in 2016
Octane Lending, Inc. operates an online lending platform that connects automobile dealers with customers seeking financing. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York, the company aims to streamline the vehicle purchasing process, particularly in the fast-paced $21 billion Powersports market. Octane facilitates the submission of credit applications to multiple lenders, including both prime and sub-prime options, and enhances sales of backend products through automated insurance estimates and warranty offerings. By leveraging innovative underwriting and credit products, Octane provides instant and frictionless financing options via its in-house lender, Roadrunner Financial. The platform not only assists consumers in securing loans but also supports dealers by routing customers to partner dealerships for efficient transactions and offering comprehensive loan servicing throughout the financing journey. Through its editorial brands, Octane reaches millions of enthusiasts, helping them connect with their passions while simplifying the financing experience.

Deposit Solutions

Series B in 2016
Deposit Solutions GmbH, founded in 2011 and based in Hamburg, Germany, specializes in developing an open banking platform that connects banks and depositors across Europe. The platform enables banks to offer attractive third-party deposit products to their customers through existing accounts, allowing depositors to access competitive deposit offers without needing to open new accounts at different banks. This approach helps banks seeking funding to attract deposits from new markets and client groups, all while avoiding the complexities and costs associated with establishing and managing their own retail infrastructure.
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