DirectID Soars To The Top Of The Credit & Risk Space, Unveiling A Slick New Visual Identity
UK ”“ 21 July, 2022 – DirectID takes another leap forward in their year-on-year growth, launching a new website and unveiling a refreshed visual identity.
Scotland-born fintech, DirectID, has always been at the forefront of open banking technology and are the earliest pioneers in the space. They rallied to the UK government for the launch of PSD2 – the world’s first open banking programme. The fintech then went on to build the first open banking integration in the world. Now, DirectID has attained super-aggregator status with 13,000+ connections in 45+ countries across the globe ”“ providing the highest coverage in the market.
The leadership team have been working with credit & risk data for over a decade and have more than 100 years of combined experience in senior roles at organisations such as FICO, Experian & TransUnion.
DirectID have brought open banking technology to some of the world’s biggest brands. Their partnership wall hosts logos from the likes of Deliveroo, XE, Nasdaq, Target, and many more. The new visual identity reflects their status as the leading provider of open banking data to the credit & risk space.
DirectID recruited Edinburgh-based maclean creative agency to launch an exciting, fresh technology brand that pays homage to the experience and specialist knowledge contained within the team.
The branding, visuals & messaging can be found on the new website at direct.id.
The rebrand launch is another marker of the growth of open banking technology in the credit & risk space.
James Varga, Founder & CEO, said:
“In the last few years we have seen an exponential growth in the use of open banking data
“With the current economic pressures, we are seeing demand for alternative data continue to grow and DirectID is set to reach a new peak in terms of revenues and market share. I am proud of our accomplishments, our new visual identity, and of our role in driving open banking data in to a global trend – putting our data at the heart of advanced credit & risk decisioning.”
and I, personally, am proud to be at the forefront of this movement having lobbied to the government for PSD2. The last few years have been a real catalyst for change and highlighted how essential real-time credit and risk data is to decision makers.
Clare McCaffery, Chief Commercial Officer, said:
“Having worked in credit & risk for > 20 years, and with alternative data for the past 12, I immediately recognised the potential within DirectID.
“Open banking fills a critical gap for decision makers who struggle to risk assess consumers with limited credit history and is proven to provide significant uplift to predictive models in both consumer and SME risk. This visual refresh and new website reflects DirectID’s focus on providing advanced data for risk decisioning, data for a new generation of consumers.”
East Lothian entrepreneur announced as Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2022 finalist
East Lothian based serial entrepreneur Sheila Hogan, founder and CEO of death tech company, Biscuit Tin, has been recognised as one of the best in the business after being named as a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Biscuit Tin is the UK’s first digital legacy vault’, securely holding valuable information such as account details, important documents, post-life wishes and memories all in one place. These are then released to nominated family members in the event of death. Biscuit Tin aims to help people prepare for their deaths, with the aim of leaving family members left behind with peace of mind and minimal stress, following their bereavement.
Sheila Hogan, founder & CEO of Biscuit Tin is one of the shortlisted business leaders from across the UK to have been selected out of over 5,300 entrants – the most the awards has ever had.
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, acknowledges and champions the hard work and uplifting stories of business owners across the UK, with an emphasis on their journey and resilience over financial achievements.
Twelve awards will be given out per region for categories including Disruptor of the Year, Entrepreneur for Good Award, and the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year. Notable winners from previous years include Social Chain founder Steven Bartlett, who went on to become the youngest ever investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.
Sheila Hogan said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to shortlisted for this prestigious award, and to be recognised on a UK-wide level is just fantastic. This has given the team and I a real boost and we are very much looking forward to the finals in November.”
This year’s awards will also feature a brand-new award highlighting the organisations investing in the training and development of young people. The John Caudwell Blaze Your Own Trail Award looks to recognise outstanding examples of businesses offering apprenticeships, vocational training, and diversity and inclusion initiatives, all in the name of improving young people’s access to work.
The winners will be announced at a Grand Final, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 21st November.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. The alumni has collectively generated over £30 billion in revenue and employed more than 450,000 people.
To mark the milestone year for the programme, entrants will have the chance to win over £30,000 worth of marketing support and a tree will be planted for every application submitted with the support of Ecologi.
Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said the quality of this year’s entrants exemplified the strength of entrepreneurship across the UK: “The quality of applications is consistently excellent year on year, but we have been especially blown away by the innovation, drive and determination demonstrated this year. Shortlisting from so many inspiring contenders has been more challenging than ever, with many deserving cases put forward and an ever-growing business community thriving across the country.
“From the pandemic to the ongoing cost of living crisis, business owners haven’t had it easy over the past few years, but it’s a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of these entrepreneurs that they have continued on their path and refused to give in.
“This year’s finalists should be so proud of what they’ve already achieved both in business and in being shortlisted for an award – we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the Finals and unveiling the winners!”
Anne Boden MBE, Founder of Starling Bank, headline partner of the Awards, said: “Congratulations to all those businesses who have made the shortlist. It’s great to see the passion, resilience and amazing ingenuity from entrepreneurs across so many categories.”
To book your place at the Grand Final in London on 21st November, you can go to greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com
For the full list of finalists, visit greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com
The launch of Know-it
Be A Know-it-all: The solution to the £61 billion late payment problem has launched
First of its kind cloud-based platform streamlines the approach to the credit management
process, helping businesses mitigate credit risk, reduce debtor days and boost cash flow!
Know-it, a Glasgow-based fintech start-up, has officially launched their cloud-based credit management platform. Founded by Lynne Darcey Quigley, the new platform gives businesses the tools and intelligence to automate and simplify the way they manage credit risk and the credit control process, helping save time, reduce late payments and allow them to focus on other aspects of their business.
The platform is yet another example of the ongoing innovation in the Scottish technology
industry, illustrating the continued resilience the sector has shown during recent economically volatile years.
As part of their commercial launch, they will be exhibiting at the sold out Xerocon, at Tobacco Dock, London, on 20 th and 21 st July in partnership with leading accountancy app Xero.
The platform, which is the first of its kind, allows businesses to credit check and monitor, chase for payment, collect overdue unpaid invoices, and more, all from one place. By partnering with some of the UK’s leading accountancy software and credit reference agencies ”“ such as Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, FreeAgent, and Graydon ”“ users can instantly credit check companies, get live data, and real-time updates to monitor customer’s credit behaviour and mitigate potential credit risks.
The platform also gives finance teams and business owners a simple way to check their customers’ credit worthiness. It also ensures customers pay on time through scheduled reminders and customisable chaser emails, letters, and SMS, helping reduce debtor days and increasing cash flow. Users can also get instant quotes to collect unpaid invoices quickly and efficiently through their commercial debt recovery partner, Darcey Quigley & Co, as well as receive 24/7 case updates.
Lynne Darcey Quigley, CEO, and founder of Know-it, explains: “Know-it is a fresh perspective on a traditional process ”“ while the credit control process hasn’t changed over time, our new unique platform brings together all credit control functions into one place. By removing the need to access and subscribe to multiple different platforms, our cloud-based platform streamlines the credit control process so you can credit check and monitor, chase for payment, collect overdue unpaid invoices, and more all from one easy to use platform, levelling the playing field for SMEs. This is set to transform the way businesses view the credit control process, as it will immediately help them save time and costs by providing real-time data, all from the convenience of one place.
“With the current financial climate mounting huge pressure onto the economy, businesses across the country need all the help they can access. This is a crucial time for technology to step in and offer a helping hand through an affordable and innovative credit management platform. With the launch of Know-it’s platform, businesses of all sizes are now able to Check-it, Chase-it, and Collect-it, all in real-time and without the headache of manual processing.”
The Know-it platform has launched against the backdrop of a global financial recovery and an increasing culture of late payments, which have mounted pressures on businesses and their finance departments. According to recent figures, the UK is expected to experience the slowest economic growth among other developed nations and almost half a million SMEs are at risk of failure as a result of late payments. This bleak outlook for UK businesses only intensifies the need for further support for businesses to gain access.
This follows a busy 12 months for Know-it, which saw Know-it win the prestigious Scottish EDGE award and many high-profile partnership announcements, including VFD Pro, FutureX, Nimbla and Gigged.AI, to name a few. Know-it has laid the foundation before launching and is working alongside some of most respected names in the industry. These partnerships will help more SMEs reduce instances of late payments and also help accountants better serve their clients with either a full-serviced or outsourced solution.
Know-it were recently announced as supporters of the Good Business Pays Wait Off campaign, a movement calling for faster payment drive to support small businesses as operating costs soar. The alliance is supported by the Small Business Commissioner, Federation of Small Businesses, CBI, Liz Barclay, British Chambers of Commerce and major banks amongst others.
On the recruitment front, Know-it also announced the hire of Gordon Merrylees, former Managing Director of Business Banking Scotland and Head of Entrepreneurship for Natwest, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), and Ulster Bank. Merrylees joined Know-it as its inaugural Chief Commercial Officer in the summer of 2021 following a 36-year career within the banking sector. Merrylees’ arrival has helped Know-it connect and form crucial partnerships across the UK entrepreneurial ecosystem in particular banks, serial entrepreneurs, industry bodies and the accountancy sector ahead of its commercial launch. The adoption of technology by small and medium sized businesses is massive as Gordon adds “Notwithstanding the many challenges of the current financial crisis post pandemic, technology adoption is a big driver of productivity, however micro SMBs are half as digitized as medium sized firms. We know that using 2 or more innovative, tech solutions such as our Know-it platform to automate their credit control process for example, micro-SMBs benefit from a 25% increase in productivity whilst at the same time are able to reduce their debtor days, tackle late payments and improve their cashflow daily.”
Know-it have also very recently appointed Wendy McMurray as Head of Product, an accomplished product manager and innovator with 20 years’ experience and a proven track record in designing, developing and delivering products in line with strategic priorities. They have also appointed a new Head of Marketing starting in August.
Jack Malcolm, Relationship Manager, West Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Royal Bank of Scotland is proud to have played a part in Know-it’s journey, helping support Lynne and the team from their inception and beta testing, through to providing funding to achieve its growth plan and the launch of today’s credit management platform. As a leading champion of Scottish SMEs, we look forward to continuing to work with Know-it, and are excited to see what the future holds for this promising Scottish fintech.”
Marketing Director of Fintech Scotland, Mickael Paris adds “We’re delighted to see Know-it launch its exciting and innovative solution. The team engaged with FinTech Scotland early on so we have been privileged to witness their journey from ideation to commercialisation. Know-it will play a crucial role in helping businesses improve their cashflow which, now more than ever, can be vital for them to face the current economic uncertainty. Know-it exemplifies how fintech is a real force for good, delivering better outcome for businesses and people. We look forward to accompanying Lynne and her team on their road to success.”
Lynne concludes: “Although this platform has been several years in the making, it was not our intention to launch the Know-it platform during the global economic struggle. Yet there is a timely opening for the platform to provide an additional layer of support for vulnerable businesses at a time when they need it most. Support from automated and effective credit management systems has traditionally been out of reach until now. We hope this pioneering technology will provide businesses with the comprehensive and holistic solution they need to work smarter at a time when businesses are now turning to technology to help mitigate current financial challenges.”
“Here at Know-it, we are proud to be the latest Scottish innovators harnessing the newest technologies and provide a solution for businesses to overcome the challenging, real-world issues facing their operations.
ENDS
About Know-it
Know-it is the cloud-based credit management platform with a difference. The platform streamlines the credit control process so you can credit check and monitor, chase for payment, collect overdue unpaid invoices, and more all from one place. They partner with leading credit agencies and accountancy software such as Graydon, Companies House, The Gazette, Unsecured Creditors, Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent. These partners provide businesses with essential real-time credit information that will help to avoid fraud, get real-time credit information for companies, upload sales
and purchase ledger and automatically send payment chasers when invoices are due. In turn, Know-it provides you with a place that brings it all together. Know-it was founded in 2019 by Lynne Darcey Quigley, who has worked within the debt recovery industry for over 25 years and is also the founder of commercial debt recovery company, Darcey Quigley & Co. For more information, please see: https://know-it.co.uk/
Strong potential for FinTech in the Japanese Market
How does one get Big in Japan? Throughout the years this has puzzled the companies of the west and continues to be relevant in the FinTech space. As a market it presents both a challenge and a great opportunity to FinTechs looking to expand (Deloitte1). In this blog we’ll explore the key features of the Japanese FinTech market.
The Opportunity
First and foremost, Japanese market represents a wealth of potential customers with large cash holdings to be mobilised. According to a recent Reuters article2 Japanese households currently hold over $17 trillion, more than half of which is highly liquid cash or deposits. Japanese corporations are also known for unusually large cash holdings.
In addition, Japan is the third largest economy in the world by GDP and is a stable and highly convenient society. As the outlook for VC and growth capital turns uncertain in western markets, rather than seeking a quick market share and easy profits, a convincing long-term investment into a large and relatively untouched domestic market may look more and more attractive.
Furthermore, Japan is open as an innovation hub3. It is ranked No.1 among G7 countries in R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP and No.1 in the world in patent applications per million of population. There’s lot going on to facilitate innovation in Japan, such as supporting start-up ecosystems in several cities by the government. The Japanese Government is also keen to promote Japan as an international finance hub4 by assisting asset managers and FinTechs to enter the market. Japan holds incredible excitement and expectation for a world in which technology is highly integrated; the Society 5.0’5 plan is a great example of this.
Challenges
However, to unlock the great potential of the Japanese market there are several barriers that must be surpassed. Most obviously, entry to such a market could be a daunting prospect due to language and cultural barriers. Also, as the Deloitte article highlights the Japanese customer puts great value on quality. To meet high expectations deep market research prior to entry or partnerships with Japanese corporations are highly desirable.
Additionally, Japanese financial institutions and customer habits have historically been somewhat rigid. One of the most prominent examples of this for FinTech companies is the strong reliance on cash. Companies have opted for QR code systems rather than the more convenient contactless NFC solutions. Japan is not a market that simply follows global trends immediately. Winning over the Japanese business community and customers will take time and effort but will be well worth it.
Support for breaking into the market
While these hurdles may seem high the Japanese government has several organisations ready, willing, and able to assist. The first step is to talk to JETRO (Japanese External Trade Organisation). As a government organisation we can provide initial market research, introductions to funding or partner corporations and from there continue to assist should you wish to setup up an entity in Japan, all completely free of charge. There are also incentives from organisations like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government which has been featured on this blog previously6. Once again in 2022 they are holding financial awards competitions in both the Financial Innovation and ESG7 categories.
Beyond the capital
Tokyo, while an attractive hub, is by no means the only option. Focus on regions beyond the capital is an issue that JETRO keeps at the forefront. Two cities to watch in this space are Osaka and Fukuoka, both of which are vying to become financial hubs. Similarly, while JETRO’s UK office is London-based we understand there is so much more to the UK than just London. We look forward to cooperating with Scottish FinTechs that are interested in the Japanese market so don’t hesitate to reach out!
JETRO London Contact:
Author: Roderic Robertson roderic_robertson@jetro.go.jp
Reference List
1https://www2.deloitte.com/jp/en/pages/financial-services/articles/bk/jp-fi-fintech-in-japan.html
2https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-households-accumulate-record-financial-assets-covid-curbs-spending-2022-03-17/
3https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/investment_environment/whyjapan/ch2.html
4https://www.fsa.go.jp/en/financialcenter/financialcenter.html
5https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/society5_0/index.html
6https://www.fintechscotland.com/next-stop-japan-apply-for-the-tokyo-financial-award-2020/
7https://www.finaward.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/
Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-walking-on-the-streets-surrounded-by-buildings-1510595/
interview with a FinTech intern
who am I?
My name is Jack Barclay, I am an s6 pupil at Portobello High School who is currently working as an intern at FinTech Scotland. I have been given the opportunity to write a short blog post discussing my thoughts and opinions towards the FinTech and tech industry, as well as my aspirations and plans for my internship.
Are you interested in working in tech?
Yes absolutely. Technology is such a huge part of the current landscape and the influence it has will only increase each year and that’s why I’m interested in it. In my mind it is one of the few industries that will only continue to grow, develop and evolve as we use it to solve issues and problems we face in everyday life.
Do you feel curriculums include enough tech subjects?
Yes and no. I feel that when I went to primary (school) the consensus was not one that overwhelmingly supported technology in the learning environment but moving into secondary school the general attitude seemed to have changed. The school (Portobello High School) was incredibly supportive of technology, going as far as to provide an iPad to every pupil. This came with an education too, teaching us how to use a variety of systems and software’s such as the Microsoft family of products (OneNote, teams, PowerPoint and excel.) As well as this we are given the opportunity to study various subjects relating to the technology umbrella, such as computing. I studied computing and the skills taught were quite wide, such as python, html, CSS, and JavaScript. So overall I would say my experience is that schools now more than ever are striving to educate students on technology and get them excited about it at a younger age.
Had you ever heard of FinTech prior to this internship?
Prior to this internship I had not, the whole industry is quite new to me. But I am excited to learn more. And use my existing knowledge to adapt to a new climate, full of unfamiliar problems and new experiences.
What do you think it is about?
Well, the current consensus I am getting is that fintech is an industry full of innovation & collaboration that has one main goal, which is to support growth and evolution of new technologies in the financial sector. I absolutely connect with that.
What skills do you think are needed?
I would imagine one skill that would be useful is problem solving, being able to produce solutions quickly and efficiently to problems you may never have faced before. As well as this I think having an open mind would be incredibly useful, being open to the latest ideas and innovations. Also, collaboration, I think the ability to work in a team is necessary within not just fintech but in the technology sector, the ability to listen to others, give feedback, and evolve ideas as a community is a super useful skill to have.
Do you think your female friends would be interested in a job at fintech?
I would certainly think so, but they probably don’t represent the majority. I imagine the majority wouldn’t, It is an industry overwhelmingly populated by men and does not necessarily market itself toward women. More must be done to advertise the technology sector to girls/women.
Why did you want to get work experience at FinTech Scotland?
Well the team reflected a number of the ideals that I have, And the company’s mission to make a better world for all through innovation, collaboration and inclusion really resonated with me.
What do you hope to learn?
I hope to learn skills that will enhance and develop my ability in the workspace, I want to gain experience from those who are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the industry. and I want to improve the skills and ability I have by using them and in an atmosphere I have not worked in before. And i
am optimistic about what I can get out of the internship as I have already started learning. Over my first week I learned that there are so many ways to get jobs/roles in this industry. You do not need to spend 4yrs of your life getting a degree, there are other routes, and each route will suit every person differently.
If nothing else I hope this blog post works as a lite introduction into my mind. As well as my skills, abilities, and my ambitions for my time here at FinTech Scotland.
Scotland’s Fifth Fintech Festival Celebrating UK Wide Innovation
Celebrating collaborative innovation that is driving economic recovery will be a core theme at Scotland’s Fintech Festival which will take place over four weeks in September and October.
This will be the fifth FinTech Festival hosted by FinTech Scotland with every indication that this will be even larger than previous years with participation from leading entrepreneurs, innovators and policy makers from across the UK and the world.
Every year since 2018, Scotland’s Fintech Festival has showcased the growing innovation across the fintech cluster involving a diverse range of fintech leaders and organisations
The 2022 FinTech Festival will give particular emphasis to the growing collaboration throughout the UK which is enabling the progress of the much-acclaimed FinTech Research & Innovation Roadmap launched in March of this year by FinTech Scotland
The FinTech Festival opens on 15th of September with the Annual Fintech Summit at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh and conclude on 6th of October with an evening of Fintech Awards recognising the achievements of people and organisations across the fintech cluster.
Commenting Nicola Anderson, FinTech Scotland Chief Executive said:
“The Festival has grown each year, despite the pandemic, and for 2022 I’m looking forward more in-person events. The four weeks is an ideal opportunity to share how collaborative innovation has a key role to play in addressing economic and social challenges”
A Festival highlight will be the UK Fintech Symposium taking place at NatWest Gogarburn headquarters on 22ndSeptember, bringing together all the UK regional fintech clusters as well as Government ministers, regulators and leading fintech innovation influencers to discuss financial innovation contribution to economic recovery.
Stephen Ingledew, FinTech Scotland chairman and host of the UK FinTech Assembly said,
“The Festival will celebrate how fintech is very much a team’ activity and how this UK collaborative approach to innovation is fueling sustainable growth and job creation as well as a positive social impact to benefit all UK regions and communities.”
The many diverse Festival events and gatherings are already scheduled and many more will be added on www.scotlandfintechfestival.com.
A conversation about art and NFT with Trevor Jones
Season 2, episode 4
Listen to the full episode here.
The NFT movement seems to have taken the world by storm. For most people it came out of nowhere and when most people are grappling with the idea of digital currencies, they now have to deal with non-Fungible-tokens. Digital currencies are changing everything and not just the way we deal with money. However, it’s not just about coins anymore. Today, in the episode we’re speaking about how it’s affecting one of the oldest disciplines in the world. Art. And just like appetite for cryptocurrencies is going up and down (down at the minute) so might NFTs. However, one thing is for sure is that they are here to stay. On this episode we welcome on of the top 10 NFT artists in the world according to most NFT specialists, Trevor Jones. Trevor is Canadian but has chosen bonny Scotland to establish himself and his art. With him we’ll discuss his incredible story and his vision on this new world. This podcast will also be an opportunity to showcase the Stirling Castle Party.
Scottish Fintech Snugg® raises £1.2m
Scottish Fintech start-up Snugg® has raised £1.2 million in their first seed fundraising round. The funding from private investors is being used to accelerate development of a unique, net-zero eco platform for UK homeowners and private landlords to make home energy efficiency improvements simpler and more affordable.
With some of the oldest housing stock in Europe and just over 20% of UK CO2 emissions coming from residential homes*, improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings is critical to the UK meeting its net-zero targets.
In partnership with banks, installer networks and data providers, the Snugg® platform will provide energy efficiency recommendations to homeowners based simply on their address. Developed by leading digital experts, Snugg® tackles the complex and fragmented home energy efficiency market by helping homeowners easily identify, finance and implement improvements to their homes. It will also link to smart meters to monitor reductions in carbon emissions.
Snugg® is part of the growing FinTech Scotland community and is based in the Bayes Centre at the University of Edinburgh, a data hub that is home to many data and digital start-ups. Edinburgh is also home to some of the UK’s largest banks and financial services institutions, making the city the perfect home for Snugg®.
Snugg® co-founder and CEO, Robin Peters, said: “We’re delighted to have raised the finance we need to accelerate the development of our new platform. We’re passionate about helping homeowners across the UK, and in international markets, tackle climate change by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. As part of the thriving Scottish Fintech community, we’re in the perfect place to forge the industry partnerships and access the skills we need to deliver a unique, market-leading digital proposition. I’d like to say a big thank you to our investors for their enthusiastic support for Snugg®.”
* Source: Energy Saving Trust: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/net-zero-carbon-emissions-and-homes-whats-the-connection/
Trevor Jones – a story of art and NFTs
I never planned on or expected to be an artist. Although I took art classes in high school in Canada (as I had a natural talent) it wasn’t until my early 30s that everything changed. I left my home country in my mid-20s with a backpack to explore the world, working mostly in hospitality to get around and ended up in Scotland a few years later on a UK ancestry visa. After making some bad decisions I spiralled into depression, and I hit an important crossroads in life. For some strange reason, I decided that art would save me’.
Proving one’s never too old to follow one’s dreams, I enrolled in a foundation course at a small school in Edinburgh and the following year I was accepted into Edinburgh University and Edinburgh College of Art for the 5 year MA Fine Art programme. Thankfully, I managed to escape the dark depths of depression by the time I graduated; however, I now found myself at 38 years of age, broke and armed with very little but a huge student loan and an art degree.
Moreover, after two moderately successful commercial gallery solo exhibitions, I came to the conclusion that it was near impossible to make a living as an artist. So, there I was, working two jobs; managing a small art charity and teaching part time whilst running an Airbnb year round at my flat, to make ends meet all while spending every other spare moment painting.
I realised that if I were to make my art career dream viable that I would need to somehow differentiate myself from all the other artists exhibiting in Scotland, which led me to exploring and integrating new technologies with my work. In 2011 I was investigating QR code oil paintings and by early 2013 I was employing augmented reality as one of the first professional painters in the world to use AR.
I was more than excited when it came to exploring art and tech innovation but unfortunately it appeared the Scottish art world felt almost the exact opposite to me. As constant rejection of my artworks continued to fuel my frustration with the institutions was mounting, I decided to troll the legacy artworld with various tech inspired stunts.
For example, after my AR painting was rejected once again from the annual Royal Scottish Academy open exhibition, I snuck into the RSA building the day before the opening to photograph all the works on display. That night I augmented over 60 paintings and digitally replaced’ them with my pieces. I counterfeited 25 invitations and turned up to the posh opening night with a bunch of friends with smartphones and tablets and my AR app turning the event into the Trevor Jones solo exhibition. Some of the old guard’ weren’t too happy with me after this stunt but at the same time I also managed to build a little excitement and momentum around my artwork.
Fast forward to 2017 and for once I had a bit of money in the bank after a successful AR solo exhibition ”“ one that I’d organised myself as commercial galleries were no longer interested in showing my paintings. I invested in Bitcoin and very quickly became consumed with the world of crypto. I began coordinating my next solo show, which was titled Crypto Disruption: The Art of Blockchain. Almost all the paintings sold to crypto enthusiasts internationally via bitcoin and eth (which completely boggled my mind at that time!) and it was by far my most successful exhibition.
Near the end of 2019 I dropped my first NFT, a collaboration with the late, great Alotta Money, which broke all previous NFT sales records and really put me on the cryptoart map. I think I was a bit of an anomaly, as an academically trained painter coming into this space filled with almost entirely digital artists; which again, likely helped to differentiate me from the rest.
Things have continued to go from strength to strength with the last couple years being quite literally life changing both creatively and financially. Along with my record breaking Bitcoin Angel open edition drop on Niftygateway, seven figure sales collaborations with Pak, Metacask and the legend Ice Cube, and hiring Stirling Castle in July to throw an exclusive party for 300 of my angel collectors, I’m now working on a commission which will be a gift for a very high profile individual who makes electric cars and rockets.
My dad always used to say to me, “Son, life’s a funny thing” and he wasn’t wrong. I guess I’ll now add to his words with, “Work hard, persevere, focus on being different and you never know where you may end up.”
AutoRek wins ”˜Best CASS Solution’ Award
Scottish fintech company, AutoRek, just announced it won both the Best CASS Solution’ and Best Wealth Management Solution of the year at the City Financial Technology Awards 2022.
Lyn Canavan, Head of Marketing at AutoRek, commented,
“We are delighted to have won this prestigious award and to be recognised again as a provider of the Best CASS Solution’ by the Systems in the City Financial Technology Awards judging panel. We have developed our CASS solution with our clients over the years to fine tune it into the best CASS solution. The recognition is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the AutoRek team behind the scenes.”
The Awards are organised by Goodacre and recognises service and system suppliers for their innovation. Based on an independent and factual annual accreditation process, the selection process is overseen by three independent judges.
The Awards provide an important point of reference for user firms assessing the suitability of their operational infrastructure.