Wagestream, whose financial benefits platform is used by employers like Asda, Burger King, Bupa and Hilton, has raised a further €20.4 million in funding from new and existing investors. The round includes funding from new investors British Patient Capital (the UK’s largest domestic investor in venture and venture growth opportunities and a subsidiary of British Business Bank), Lombard Odier Investment Managers, and participation from existing investor Northzone.
With investment from social impact funds including Big Society Capital, Social Tech Trust and Fair By Design, Wagestream was founded in 2018 to tackle the £430 ‘premium’ low and middle-income households pay for essential services – because high street providers overcharge them for inflexible products designed for higher-earners, or exclude them altogether.
Offered through 1,000 employers in the U.K., Spain and United States, its platform already allows 3 million people – mainly shift and frontline workers – to access an interactive payslip, choose when they get paid, save directly from their pay, save money on bills and get free debt advice.
Founded in 2018, Wagestream will use the latest funding to expand that range of services and become a ‘complete financial platform’ for low and middle-income workers. New services this year will include a credit-builder card for those previously denied access to credit, shopping discounts for those impacted by soaring inflation, AI-powered coaching for those priced out of the financial advice sector, and loans for those previously overcharged by credit providers.
Financial wellbeing has never been higher on the national agenda, with recent data revealing one in six UK adults have no savings, and over a fifth are borrowing more money as a direct result of the cost of living crisis.
It has also become a major issue in the boardroom: 81% of UK businesses say they’ve introduced new financial support for staff recently1, citing improvements across recruitment, retention and productivity as a result2.
Peter Briffett, co-founder and CEO of Wagestream, said: “Do frontline workers not deserve choice? Do frontline workers – who keep essential services running in good times and tough times – not deserve a better financial future? We believe they do, and more than 1,000 employers agree. Together we’re closing the gap, with a platform that helps wherever people are in their financial life – from paying off debt, to saving for the first time, to building a credit file and planning for the future. The result is a better experience at work, better quality of life at home, and business impact for the employer – because healthy teams are loyal, productive teams.”
Ian Connatty, managing director, Direct & Co-Investment, British Patient Capital, added: “Wagestream is growing at a rapid pace, while still delivering on the important social mission at its core – we’ve been impressed by the team’s clear vision and agile execution. The potential to provide critical financial tools to underserved, overlooked frontline and shift workers is huge. We’re thrilled to be backing the business as it continues expanding its range of fair financial products and services in the UK and beyond.”
