This week we chatted to Evan Michaels, CEO at HELPFUL to discuss their early days and how he views the future of fintech.
When was HELPFUL set up and who was involved?
HELPFUL was set up in 2019 by William Nordh and myself. We’ve known each other for a while, in fact this is the third business that we have set up together and the most ambitious one, balancing purpose, people and profit.
We have built a team of 25 people, product developers, technology and sustainability professionals who all share a desire to create a healthier planet. Our company is bridging the gap between sustainability, commerce and financial services, to power sustainable payments with a seamless user experience.
Who’s your audience?
GenZ and late millennials are our target audience. Although the solution is aimed at anyone who wants to put the Planet First, we know that GenZ are using our solutions!
HELPFUL creates a conscious community of sustainable businesses and their customers. Every time we choose a sustainable product or service, we encourage businesses to continue on their sustainable journeys and do more environmental and social good.
What were the stumbling blocks in the early days?
The biggest challenges a start-up faces are funding and partnerships and it is usually one that brings the other! We were very fortunate to get an opportunity to speak to Railsbank and Mastercard early on. Finding the right partners to build our solution was a turning point, which helped us shape the solution and saved us a lot of time and resources, on our journey to date.
Railsbank has offered not only the tools and a dedicated team but also a solid roadmap and international presence for our future developments.
What are the things you are most proud of in your company’s journey?
At HELPFUL we are changing the game entirely, we’re using payments as a force for good.
We do this by building partnerships with sustainable partners to meet the demands of the net zero future; from shopping for fashion and food and drink, to Urban mobility and EV charging.
We believe that if we all use our spending power to create positive change, we can make our daily actions and choices naturally sustainable.
I am proud that we’ve been able to define, design and launch a truly sustainable platform in a sector that is not traditionally associated with putting the planet first.
How did you come up with the idea for the company?
William and I got restless waiting for governments to take actual and tangible climate change action. We realised that climate action and a healthier planet is a personal matter for everybody, and we all should change the way we consume and live. We had this idea, what if we all shop more thoughtfully; we can each make a difference.
Our mission is to create the next generation of sustainable payment solutions for people who actively put the Planet First and make every transaction, a climate action.
Looking outside HELPFUL now, how do you see your industry developing.
There is a movement developing with green and sustainable finance. A lot of new start-ups focusing on sustainability and commerce while a few established players add sustainability features such as carbon offsetting to their existing tools.
It’s really exciting to see more and more people questioning our impact on the environment and looking for ways to minimise it. I am pleased to see the UK fintech industry leading the way.
Can you share any covid survival tips?
Scrap your short term plans, think long term and imagine a world beyond the pandemic. How do you fit in, don’t address the 2021 problems, focus on what is coming and be critical about your ideas. Work is changing, the way we live is changing and most importantly our relationship with the environment is changing. This is the time to reinvent and move forward!
What do you see as the future of fintech?
I believe in the power of collaboration, creating more integrated experiences. I see companies working together, combining technologies to deliver solutions, to bring together purpose and profit, for a better future.
What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs?
Do what you believe in now! We live in changing times, people are looking for new ways to create a better future and they are open to new ideas.
What can we hope to see from HELPFUL in the future?
We see HELPFUL as a global force for good, providing sustainable and ethical payment solutions. We are creating the first fintech sustainable payments unicorn.
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