88. Hi55 Ventures

Founder: David Brown
Founded: 2020
Website: hi.group

David Brown is one of the most influential fintech entrepreneurs in the country, as the name behind several game-changing companies like Commerce One, Previse and Open Text. That kind of introduction brings big expectations. So what does his latest project, Hi55 Ventures, look like?

Hi55 is a fintech startup aiming to change the way that companies do payroll. It’s currently one of the most standardised, costly, and confusing processes for businesses to complete – particularly for SMEs, a major target audience of the firm.

Brown is one of the most influential fintech entrepreneurs in the country, as the name behind several game-changing companies like Commerce One, Previse and Open Text

The firm is shaped around a B2B digital payment platform called Hi – the only platform on the market that offers Pay Asset Finance. Customers can choose to finance payroll by 30 – 60 days, enabling employers to hold on to their cash longer and improve financial liquidity, access a new source of working capital, and attract and retain the best talent thanks to unparalleled payment flexibility.

Even more excitingly, Hi55’s growth seems to be only just beginning. Despite having only launched last year, Brown has already partnered with Mastercard and Microsoft to bring Hi to market, and the startup began Series A capital raising earlier this year.

Hi55’s growth seems to be only just beginning. Despite having only launched last year, Brown has already partnered with Mastercard and Microsoft

For employees, Hi55 also means access to Hi’s products (Hi-Weekly and Hi-Anytime) which give employees greater control of and access to the money they have earned, as they can choose when they want to be paid. This is not only hugely innovative, but also has lots of wellbeing benefits including reduction in stress.

It’s a big, bold idea, which we always love to reward. Well done Hi55 for making our top 100 list – you’ve really given us that payday feeling.