61. Bloom Money: the app breaking down barriers to financial inclusion

DEI Award Nominee

For the business that demonstrates committed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative and how it has been embedded in the company.

Startups 100: DEI Award

Founder: Nina Mohanty
Year founded: 2021
Website: bloommoney.co

Having worked across multiple fintech companies, Nina Mohanty discovered a glaring lack of support from traditional banks for diaspora communities in the UK.

Many immigrants struggle to access typical banking services due to lack of credit history, unfamiliarity with local financial systems, or language barriers. Moreover, existing banking products often lack culturally relevant services, such as collective contributions, which are deeply rooted in many non-Western cultures.

This is where Bloom Money comes in – a digital platform offering UK diaspora communities secure and tailored financial tools and resources.

It primarily helps users to manage money clubs, such as ajo, esusu, or pardna schemes, that can often involve multiple friends, family, or colleagues.

Users can join or create “savings circles” with trusted friends or family, adding contributions that each member takes turns receiving. This takes the hassle out of organising group collections for weddings and other significant life or community events.

These collections can also be public, enabling new joiners to connect and build wealth with others (although they are still subject to bank-grade ID and background checks for peace of mind).

This mission to empower immigrant communities to save, build credit, and manage their finances in a familiar and supportive way sets Bloom apart, making it a well-deserved nominee for the Startups 100 Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award.

Bloom Money has also developed strong partnerships with various trusts, including the Vietnamese Family Partnership and Filipino UK Nurses to further reach and support diverse communities across the UK.

By 2030, Bloom Money envisions itself as the leading platform for diaspora communities, serving as the voice for the unique financial cultures and experiences of immigrants. 

It’s more than a fintech solution, but a game-changer for a growing number of UK-based communities that are often left behind by traditional banking, which is why we think it belongs in the 2025 Startups 100.