VESTO by Creand: inVESting TOgether Qorus-Infosys Finacle Banking Innovation Awards 2025 - Winner

Vesto is not just another fintech. It’s a radical shift in how young people invest. Our mission is simple: make investing a social experience that is ridiculously simple, accessible, and inclusive.

>>> Concept and Objectives <<< Vesto was built to break down barriers. Our goal is to democratize investment by making it understandable, approachable, and accessible for a new generation of investors. We focus on social interaction, financial education, transparency, and community, fighting misinformation in an industry often clouded by jargon and complexity.

>>> Reasons Behind the Project <<< The financial world has always been intimidating for young people. High entry costs, confusing terminology, and a lack of relatable guidance keep them out. We wanted to change this. We wanted to create a product that felt like Duolingo for investments – intuitive, fun, and frictionless.

>>> State of Competition <<< Platforms like Trade Republic, Revolut, and eToro dominate the retail investment market, but they primarily target experienced traders, focusing on low fees and advanced trading features. Vesto stands out by addressing a critical gap: first-time, young investors. We prioritize radical simplicity, education, and community – the foundations of long-term financial engagement. We were the first to offer tokenized U.S. stocks from as little as €5, breaking down barriers to entry. We created the concept of "collections" a preset of shares hand-picked by our experts around a theme, so the customer can buy in bulk. We also integrate financial influencers, turning passive followers into active investors and building a sense of belonging.

>>> Sources of Inspiration <<< We draw inspiration from platforms that have democratized complex services, like Duolingo, which transformed language learning into a simple, engaging experience. Closer to home, Merkaat – Creand's first step towards simplifying financial services – showed us the power of breaking down barriers for everyday consumers. With Vesto, we take this philosophy further, creating a community that educates, empowers, and inspires the next generation of investors.

>>> Departments Involved <<< Vesto benefits from the expertise of several key departments within Creand: Innovation: Banking operations and architecture know-how. Investments: Asset selection, influencer collaboration, and educational content. Compliance: Service supervision and regulatory advisory. All while maintaining Vesto’s independence in business strategy and product delivery.

>>> Main Results So Far <<< - First in Europe to offer tokenized access to U.S. stocks for as little as €5, opening up the most trending market to everyone. - Pioneers in integrating financial influencers into our ecosystem, turning passive followers into active investors. - Strong and sustainable growth, with industry-leading conversion rates and engagement levels. - A passionate, loyal, and growing community of young investors who see Vesto as their gateway to financial independence.

In short, Vesto is disrupting the market by combining simplicity, transparency, and community. We are redefining what it means to invest in the 21st century, and we believe we have a winning formula.