From accountancy to anti-fraud measures, the various technologies that exist under the FinTech umbrella have always deployed the latest innovations. When it comes to the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in finance, startups are proving to be every bit as important as the tech giants that dominate the AI space.
In Europe, startups up and down the continent are turning to Big Data and machine learning techniques to answer challenges as diverse as the FinTech ecosystem itself.
With the global market for AI in FinTech expected to be worth $54 billion by 2032, PYMNTS looks at five European startups that are paving the way.
Fluidly
In the realm of accounting software, machine learning is used to automate routine data entry and analysis. From large accountancy firms to self-employed freelancers, accounting software is now used by European businesses of all sizes and varieties to help manage accounts, optimize outgoing expenses and file taxes.
U.K.-based startup Fluidly has built an AI-powered “cashflow engine,” which accountants can plug into their chosen software to build data-informed predictive and prescriptive models.
By combining machine learning and financial modeling, Fluidly allows accountants and their clients the review cashflow in real-time and forecast future revenues and expenses.
In 2021, Fluidly was acquired by neobank Oaknorth.
Cleo
Founded in 2016, U.K startup Cleo AI has developed an AI financial management tool called the Cleo Intelligent Assistant.
Since launching Cleo, the company has built a user base of over half a million people in the U.K., U.S. and Canada. The product collates users’ financial data, analyses it for patterns, and then provides financial advice via a chatbot-style interface.
As a consumer-focused app, Cleo is an example of the way AI is helping ordinary people make sense of their financial data and apply it to the everyday challenges of budgeting, saving and investing.
Read more: Cleo Raises $44 Million In Series B For Digital Financial Adviser Platform
Fraugster
German startup Fraugster has incorporated AI into a range of tools designed to help retailers and payment services in the eCommerce space minimize fraud and maximize their revenue.
As European retailers face the challenge of protecting customer data, tackling financial crime and navigating EU and national regulations, Fraugster is putting AI tools into the hands of merchants to help them meet these various requirements.
Recently, Fraugster added a dedicated solution for buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers to their lineup of AI tools. The new module is intended to prevent fraudsters from accessing BNPL services with fake, stolen or synthetic identity documents.
With it, BNPL providers can integrate Fraugster’s data enrichment and linking analysis technology into their service without affecting the user-facing front end.
More on this: Germany’s Fraugster Debuts Alternative Credit Tool for Merchants
OakNorth
Founded in 2015, challenger bank OakNorth is another U.K. startup using AI in innovative ways.
Oaknorth has built an AI platform it calls the ACORN machine, which leverages machine learning to inform decision making at the bank. ACORN gathers data about businesses from around the world for credit risk analysis. The output of the machine-learning algorithm is then used by the bank when making loan decisions.
Learn more: OakNorth Closes Acquisition Deal for Intelligent Cashflow Startup Fluidly
Last December, the FCA-regulated lender announced it was acquiring intelligent cashflow startup Fluidly, which aims to help small businesses that are held back by the lack of access to debt finance by complementing OakNorth’s data and forward-looking analytics capability with its cash flow forecasting tool.
Lucinity
The Lucinity platform is pioneering a unique approach to fraud detection and anti-money laundering (AML) technology that the company calls “Human AI.”
The idea behind Human AI is that in the field of anti-fraud and AML, AI works best when it is used to complement human investigations.
Related: 5 EU Startups Making Waves in the AML Technology Space
Comprising tools for transaction monitoring, actor intelligence and a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) monitor, Lucinity’s technology creates AI-generated reports for the purposes of fraud and money laundering investigations.
This month, Lucinity announced that SEON’s fraud prevention solution would be available on its platform, adding another machine learning tool to Lucinity’s anti-fraud arsenal.
Further reading: SEON CEO Says Rising Cyber Threat Requires Multi-Provider Security Approach
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