finleap

Finleap was a pioneering FinTech ecosystem builder and investor based in Berlin, Germany, established in 2014. It distinguished itself through a unique model that combined venture building with strategic investments, aiming to foster innovation within the financial services sector. Over its active period, finleap was instrumental in conceptualizing, launching, and scaling numerous financial technology companies, contributing significantly to the European FinTech landscape.

Between 2014 and 2021, finleap successfully built or invested in 15 ventures, alongside developing over 5 joint ventures and service ventures. This portfolio included notable companies such as Solaris (formerly Solarisbank), Clark, and ELEMENT, which have since grown into significant players in their respective niches. The collective value generated by these ventures exceeded €3.0 billion, underscoring finleap's impact and its ability to identify and nurture high-potential FinTech businesses from inception through growth stages.

In July 2021, finleap's venture creation and investment platform was integrated into Motive Ventures, a new venture platform launched by Motive Partners, a specialist private equity firm. This strategic move saw finleap's portfolio companies and its core team, including founder Ramin Niroumand, transition to become part of Motive Ventures. Consequently, finleap no longer operates as an independent entity making new first-time investments.

This transition means that while finleap had a significant historical role in early-stage FinTech funding and development, it does not currently issue new first cheques as a standalone investor. Its historical investment sizes varied widely, from seed capital for ventures it built from scratch to larger Series A or B rounds for external investments, reflecting its hybrid model. However, any new investment activity stemming from its former operations is now conducted under the Motive Ventures brand.