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Level E Opens Crowdcube Campaign to Retail Investors

Level E, the Edinburgh-based fintech company specialising in the use of AI in asset and wealth management technology, has launched a public crowdfunding campaign via Crowdcube, inviting retail investors to back its next phase of growth.

The company has previously focused on institutional partnerships and large-scale deployments of its AI solutions. With new infrastructure now in place, Level E is opening the door to individual investors eager to support the evolution of finance through artificial intelligence.

Agentic AI: Intelligent Systems for Asset Management

Level E’s technology is grounded in research from the University of Edinburgh, widely recognised for its role in advancing deep learning and AI innovation. Its proprietary Agentic AI platform is designed to support asset managers with tools that reduce cost, improve decision-making, and deliver real-time value in a fast-changing industry.

The company has already gained traction with major UK asset managers which shows the relevance and maturity of its technology.

AICA: AI-Powered Compliance at Scale

Level E recently launched AICA (AI Compliance Agent), developed in partnership with asset management giant aberdeen. AICA applies Agentic AI to the challenge of regulatory compliance, an area historically characterised by complexity and cost.

AICA helps compliance teams flag issues earlier and act faster to deliver timely insights that reduce operational risk and enhance oversight.

A Broader Vision for AI in Finance

Level E’s ambitions extend beyond compliance. The firm is building an ecosystem of intelligent agents designed to optimise every aspect of asset and wealth management from portfolio construction to operational efficiency.

Crowdfunding Now Live

With the Crowdcube campaign now live, Level E is offering the public a chance to invest alongside institutional players and become part of a company at the forefront of AI in finance.

To learn more or get involved, visit Level E’s Crowdcube page.

Scotland’s 2025-26 Programme for Government: A Springboard for Fintech Growth and Innovation

The Scottish Government’s 2025-26 Programme for Government outlines an ambitious agenda to drive economic resilience, reduce inequality, and lead in green and digital innovation.

For Scotland’s thriving fintech community, the programme delivers encouraging signals, particularly in the areas of global competitiveness, startup support, inward investment, and the wider innovation ecosystem.

Global Reach, Local Impact

Scotland’s new Six Point Export Plan will be of particular interest to fintech firms looking to scale internationally. It promises targeted support for export-ready companies, an expanded Scottish Development International footprint in Europe and the US, and a US Export Plan to identify optimal markets for Scottish strengths. It also includes efforts to bring global buyers to Scotland and increase trade missions in order to provide fintech scale-ups the kind of exposure essential for global growth.

Fintech-Specific Opportunities

The programme reinforces the Government’s commitment to strengthening Scotland’s position as the UK’s top investment destination outside London. Specifically, it outlines plans to:

  • Enhance SDI support in key global markets, including Silicon Valley and other tech hubs, to attract high-growth companies to Scotland.
  • Leverage partnerships with financial centres, including the City of London Corporation, to grow the fintech and financial services ecosystem.
  • Improve private sector co-investment, notably from pension funds and institutional investors, to unlock funding for scaling ventures.
  • Launch InvestScotland, a single-entry digital platform for showcasing national investment opportunities.

The main focus is to attract the international capital and expertise so important for fintech companies ready to scale from Scotland to the world.

Backing Startups and Inclusive Innovation

The programme puts clear emphasis on developing a more inclusive and dynamic startup environment. Highlights include:

  • The First Minister’s Start-up Challenge, offering tailored support for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
  • Up to £6 million to implement the Pathways report, supporting more women to start and scale businesses.
  • Creation of a University Proof of Concept Fund and a Technology Council to commercialise academic research and shape future innovation policy.
  • Continued investment in Scottish Edge, the Ecosystem Fund, and initiatives like AI Scotland, providing meaningful resources to young tech firms.

This support looks to increase the pipeline of innovation-led companies, many of which operate within fintech or adjacent sectors.

Skills and Talent Pipeline

Access to talent remains a key concern for fintech firms. The programme commits to:

  • Maintaining free university tuition and expanding STEM education.
  • Investing in apprenticeship and upskilling programmes, including in AI, data, and digital finance.
  • Enhancing international education links to attract global students and research talent to Scotland.

These steps will help ensure fintech companies have access to the right skills at the right time, particularly as they grow and evolve.

You can read the full programme here.

Showcasing Scotland’s Fintech Leadership across the UK.

As UK FinTech Week 2025 approaches, we are delighted to share that we’ll be playing an active role throughout the week, engaging in critical conversations, championing innovation, and showcasing the strength and ambition of Scotland’s fintech community on a global stage.

Here’s a look at where you can find us and what we’ll be up to. We’d love for you to join us.

Monday 28 April

We kick off the week in London, where our CEO Nicola Anderson will speak at the Global FinTech Forum. This event, led by the Department for Business & Trade, HM Treasury, and the Office for Investment, brings together a very global audience with over 30 nations represented. Nicola will contribute to a panel exploring vital growth drivers for UK fintech.
You can still register here.

Tuesday 29 April

Nicola will take the stage again at IFGS, the flagship event of the week, to discuss regional fintech growth. The session will build on the recent Innovate UK report, to which FinTech Scotland contributed. With over 1,500 attendees and participants from more than 70 countries, this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Scottish fintech cluster on the world stage.

In the evening, Nicola will join industry leaders at the exclusive NVIDIA: AI in FSI Meet-Up. This gathering will explore how AI is transforming financial services, from boosting operational efficiency to enhancing customer experience and managing risk.

Wednesday 30 April

We’ll be at the FCA RegTech Forum, an event designed to foster innovation and growth in UK regulatory technology. Delivered in partnership with Innovate Finance and the City of London Corporation, this forum will explore the role of RegTech in supporting the evolving needs of financial services. If you would like to attend you can register your interest here.

On the same day we’ll also be cheering on the next generation of fintech talent at Pitch360, where ten innovative companies will go head-to-head with just three minutes to pitch their bold ideas.

The day will conclude with a celebration of fintech innovation at an event organised in partnership with our strategic partner BT. This invitation-only reception at BT Tower will focus on a critical enabler of fintech innovation. We’ll explore how technology and connectivity are essential to the future of AI, with keynote insights from BT introducing their Global Fabric.

Thursday 1 May

We return to Scotland for the Financial Services Technology Summit hosted by Digit. Nicola will join a panel of industry leaders, discussing the intersection of technology and operational resilience in financial services. This session will cover practical strategies, regulatory shifts, and real-world case studies.
She will be joined by Derek Shanks, Head of Digital Technology, Lloyds Banking Group, Yvonne Dunn, Partner at Pinsent Masons, Rob Mossop, Chief Data Officer at Sword and Stephen Johnston, Distinguished Engineer at Barclays Group.

To round off the week, we’ll be hosting a Scottish fintech gathering, an evening of networking, community, and collaboration. We’re inviting the entire Scottish fintech community to come together, connect and celebrate past and future successes.

Sword Group Expands Cybersecurity and AI Capabilities with Acquisition of Edinburgh-based iDelta

Sword Group, a FinTech Scotland’s strategic partners, has announced its acquisition of Edinburgh-based fintech iDelta Ltd, a specialist firm focused on customised data solutions, cybersecurity monitoring, AI automation, and fraud analytics.

Founded in Scotland’s thriving tech ecosystem, iDelta has developed a strong reputation for its bespoke solutions in infrastructure and application monitoring, particularly within financial services. Its specialist consultants have created innovative tools for managing Open Banking data APIs and have developed extensions available on the popular Splunk marketplace. These solutions streamline the integration process with third-party technologies, enabling customers to effectively harness their data assets.

Kevin Moreton, CEO of Sword UK, described the move as a strategic step towards enhancing Sword’s capabilities in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, particularly within the financial services sector.

“We’re pleased to welcome iDelta into Sword Group. This acquisition is well-aligned with our strategic vision for 2028 and significantly strengthens our cybersecurity strategy. Combining our expertise will enable us to deliver even greater value to our customers,” Moreton said.

Stuart Robertson from iDelta also welcomed the acquisition, noting the shared commitment between both companies towards innovation and technical excellence.

“Joining Sword opens exciting new opportunities for growth and collaboration. Our strong partnerships with Splunk and Cisco, combined with Sword’s extensive resources, mean we’re perfectly positioned to expand our offerings and accelerate our capabilities,” Robertson said.

Sword Group, known for providing business technology solutions across energy, public, commercial, and financial sectors, currently employs over 600 staff across its UK locations, including Aberdeen, Glasgow, Teesside, and London.

The acquisition underlines Sword Group’s strategic approach to bolstering its technical expertise in critical domains like cybersecurity and AI, reflecting broader industry trends towards greater digital resilience and smarter data utilisation.

FNZ Secures $500 Million to Support Long-Term Growth

Scottish fintech FNZ, a global provider of wealth management platforms, just secured $500 million in new capital from its existing shareholders. This funding will support the company’s long-term sustainable growth.  

Strengthening Financial Foundations

The injection of capital will enhance FNZ’s financial stability, providing a solid foundation to support its business strategies and customer relationships. With this strengthened financial position, FNZ is better equipped to navigate the evolving financial services landscape. 

A History of Strategic Growth

Since its inception in 2003 by founder Adrian Durham, FNZ has experienced significant growth. The company now partners with over 650 financial institutions and 12,000 wealth managers, administering assets exceeding $1.7 trillion for more than 24 million investors worldwide.  

FNZ’s growth strategy has included several key acquisitions:

• 2018: Acquired German investment platform ebase, expanding its European presence. 

• 2019: Purchased London-based JHC Systems Ltd, enhancing its wealth management software capabilities. 

• 2022: Acquired Appway, a Zurich-based client onboarding firm, to improve client integration processes. 

Leadership and Future Outlook

In August 2024, FNZ underwent a leadership transition, appointing Blythe Masters as Group CEO and Roman Regelman as Group President. This change was accompanied by an additional $1 billion investment from existing institutional investors, reflecting confidence in the company’s direction.  

Innovation Accelerator Fuels Glasgow City Region’s Fintech Future: Driving Growth, Jobs, and Global Leadership

The Centre of Innovation for Financial Regulation, known as the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab (FRIL), is shaping the future of regulatory responsible innovation as part of the UK government’s Innovation Accelerator programme. 

Led by FinTech Scotland in partnership with Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow, FRIL is delivering pioneering advances in artificial intelligence and accelerating innovation that helps protect people from financial crime. It is also creating digital services that help citizens and businesses get access to the right financial products at the right time, helping citizens live better financially resilient lives. 

The FRIL initiative is already in the process of delivering an impressive return on investment of £6 to every £1 in public funding.

It is one of 11 projects funded within the Glasgow City Region portfolio of the Innovation Accelerator (IA) pilot programme, which is transforming the innovation landscape in the UK and paving the way for the future of place-based research and development (R&D) investment. 

Since its launch, the Innovation Accelerator programme has invested £100m in 26 transformative R&D projects between 2023-25, focusing on high-potential innovation clusters across three UK regions – Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City Region and has been extended by £30m for 2025/26. The programme builds on regional cluster strengths and brings together the innovation ecosystem, to drive economic growth and technological advancement. 

The programme is led by Innovate UK, on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and co-created in Glasgow City Region with regional leadership to ensure it is locally led and focused on harnessing the region’s  strengths in advanced manufacturing, space, photonics, healthcare, precision medicine and financial technology (fintech).

With over 250 companies engaged, £47 million in co-investment secured, and a thriving ecosystem of high-growth sectors now flourishing, by focusing on innovation – rather than pure research – the Innovation Accelerator programme has leveraged Glasgow City Region’s existing strengths, infrastructure, and partnerships to accelerate progress.  The success of the Innovation Accelerator programme underscores the importance of long-term regional autonomy in funding decisions. With the right support, Glasgow City Region’s innovation ecosystem is poised for sustainable growth, ensuring it remains a premier destination for business, talent, and groundbreaking ideas.

Two years since its launch the projects supported are demonstrating globally competitive research and development that is putting the region’s innovation strengths on the map, including FRIL. 

FRIL is built on four workstreams namely innovation challenges, actionable research, skills and education, and knowledge exchange. Crucially FRIL’s industry-led accelerator model has demonstrated how to drive economic growth, job creation, and productivity in financial services and the broader economy as well as position Glasgow City Region’s as a global powerhouse for next-generation fintech innovation. It is accelerating business development by up to 12 months, advancing technology adoption and enabling fintech partnerships that are driving strong commercial outcomes.

This has all been reinforced by the industry co-investment in FRIL, with commitments reaching up to £20 million across financial services institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Lloyds Banking Group, Aberdeen, NatWest, TSB and Advanced Credit Union that have enabled the new services to be created and new fintech enterprises to emerge, as well as job creation projected and realised by FRIL FinTech grant award winners.

Through FRIL there are also 18 diverse fintech SMEs creating new jobs. Examples of this include the fast growing Scottish based scale-up Amiqus, which delivers a product that solves compliance and onboarding challenges for businesses taking on new clients or hiring staff. Amiqus has hired over 20 new employees with further growth plans in the pipeline, following an award from the FRIL innovation challenge initiative. 

FRIL is also helping UK regions beyond Glasgow City Region, including Greater Manchester and West Midlands to become globally competitive R&D powerhouses for financial technology, delivering strong economic returns and high-value employment.

Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said: 

“The Innovation Accelerator programme is unlocking new opportunities for growth in regions across the UK and this £30m investment backs further collaboration between business, academia and government to build on local innovation that can improve lives across the country.

“Glasgow City Region’s Financial Regulation Innovation Lab’s return of £6 for every £1 invested is helping to strengthen the economy, while its work in advancing technology in financial services will help position the Glasgow City Region as a hub for next generation fintech innovation that benefits the economy across Scotland and the wider UK.”

Susan Aitken, Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet and Leader of Glasgow City Council, added:


“Glasgow has long been at the forefront of financial services and innovation, and setting up the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab cements our position as a leading global fintech hub. The FRIL initiative is driving significant economic impact, creating high-value jobs, driving investment, and fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government. 

“It’s exciting to see how the Innovation Accelerator programme has been the catalyst to driving locally led innovation, resulting in significant economic growth and technological advancement.”

Nicola Anderson, CEO of Fintech Scotland, commented:


“We are incredibly proud of the impact that The Financial Regulation Innovation Lab is making, harnessing the power of financial innovation to drive economic growth. The investment in FRIL has been game changing, allowing us to support more businesses and drive meaningful economic impact both at a national and global level. 

“We continue to build on this momentum by further accelerating innovation and technology adoption whilst developing the skill base, enhancing academic application and driving better financial product engagement for customers.”

For more information and to find out about other projects that have been funded through the programme, visit the Innovate UK Business Connect website.

Scottish Enterprise Launches Innovative Export Assessment Tool to Support Scottish Businesses

Scottish Enterprise have just launched of a new and free digital Export Assessment Tool designed to help Scottish companies accelerate their international trade activities.

This easy-to-use digital tool provides tailored guidance, clearly identifying where businesses are on their exporting journey, recommending crucial next steps, and highlighting the available support to help achieve their international goals.

Completing the assessment takes less than 10 minutes, after which companies receive an individualised Export Progress Report detailing:

  • Export Stage: Clearly defines the current position in the exporting process and summarises progress made.
  • Next Steps: Provides specific, actionable tasks for moving forward.
  • Available Support: Highlights the extensive support network available across Scotland and the UK, guiding businesses towards the best resources to assist their exporting journey.

Scottish Enterprise is bridging a crucial gap in export support for companies not currently engaged directly with trade sector teams, empowering businesses to self-serve and progress confidently in the global market.

You can use the tool here.

Safello and Zumo Partner to Elevate Crypto Sustainability Compliance in Sweden’s Crypto Sector

Swedish cryptocurrency exchange Safello has partnered with Zumo, a leading digital assets platform specialising in carbon calculation and sustainability reporting. This strategic alliance is designed to help Safello meet the rigorous sustainability disclosure requirements set by the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR).

As MiCAR’s Article 66 comes into effect, crypto asset service providers (CASPs) operating within the EU must publicly disclose the environmental impacts of the digital assets they offer. With this collaboration, Safello proactively addresses this requirement, positioning itself as an early adopter of sustainability best practices in the cryptocurrency industry.

Zumo’s expertise will provide Safello with precise, transparent data on carbon emissions associated with crypto activities. This partnership allows Safello to meet regulatory standards and to strengthen trust among its stakeholders by demonstrating an active commitment to sustainability.

Tara Abid, Chief Compliance Officer at Safello, commented,

“Compliance is central to our business strategy. Our partnership with Zumo ensures we can deliver accurate sustainability data to our customers, maintaining our leadership position in regulatory alignment and transparency.”

Nick Jones, Founder and CEO of Zumo, said,

“Safello’s choice to partner with us highlights the increasing importance of sustainability reporting in crypto. Our Oxygen product suite enables businesses like Safello to align digital asset operations with net-zero targets and comply effectively with evolving EU regulations.”

With Sweden’s Financial Supervisory Authority mandating compliance with MiCAR by 30 September 2025, Safello’s proactive partnership with Zumo represents a forward-thinking step toward sustainability integration within the crypto sector.

For further details or to explore collaboration opportunities, contact Zumo

Snugg Introduces ‘Carbon Cashback’ for Energy-Savvy Homeowners

Businesses across the UK now have an exciting new opportunity to support their customers in becoming more energy efficient, thanks to Edinburgh-based fintech Snugg. The Carbon Cashback platform, launching initially in beta, enables businesses to offer homeowners annual cash rewards for achieving verified carbon reductions through home energy improvements.

This approach uses smart meter data to track home carbon savings such as those from installing insulation, heat pumps, or solar panels. Snugg then transform those savings into carbon credits for sale in the Voluntary Carbon Market. It’s a powerful incentive for homeowners, tackling one of the most significant barriers they face: the upfront cost of sustainability upgrades.

For businesses, the benefits are equally compelling. Partnering with Snugg offers companies a distinctive proposition to attract and retain customers, reinforcing brand commitment to sustainability. Additionally, participating companies gain valuable insights into customer energy consumption and carbon footprint reductions, crucial data for businesses aiming to lower their Scope 3 emissions and meet net-zero goals.

George Wilson, Carbon Markets Lead at Snugg, explains:

“The Carbon Cashback platform directly addresses the financial barriers homeowners encounter. For businesses, it’s a unique way to differentiate their offerings while actively engaging customers in sustainability initiatives. It also provides access to valuable emissions data, empowering companies to advance their net-zero strategies more effectively.”

The platform’s development was supported by the UK Government’s DESNZ ‘Green Home Finance Accelerator’ programme and has already demonstrated significant interest, with over 90% of testing participants keen to engage. Snugg is actively seeking early adopter businesses to join the beta phase, ahead of the wider market launch planned for later in 2025.

Businesses can play a very important role in accelerating the UK’s residential decarbonisation efforts (a market estimated at £250 billion). Importantly, this isn’t a greenwashing exercise. Rather, it positions businesses as genuine leaders in sustainability, supporting real, measurable carbon reductions.

If you are Interested in becoming a partner or learning more about Carbon Cashback, visit snugg.com/carbon-cashback.

BLK’s £50 Million Funding, a Turning Point for Digital Commodities Trading

The commodities trading industry, historically reliant on traditional methods, has recently seen a surge of digital innovation. At the forefront of this digital revolution is Scottish fintech BLK, a pioneering UK-based online commodities marketplace, which has just secured an impressive £50 million equity investment from Panama-based Nimbus Capital. This substantial funding signals a shift toward technology-driven solutions within an industry ripe for transformation.

Commodities trading, involving everything from metals and energy to agricultural goods, has long suffered from inefficiencies and lack of transparency. Traders frequently navigate complex logistics, opaque pricing structures, and cumbersome administrative processes. BLK’s mission has been clear from the start, to disrupt these traditional trading barriers using advanced technology like blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). With Nimbus Capital’s backing, BLK is now in an even stronger position to realise this vision.

Blockchain technology, well-known for its application in cryptocurrencies, holds immense potential for commodities trading. It enables unprecedented transparency by securely recording each transaction on an immutable ledger. This reduces the risk of fraud and error and fosters greater trust between buyers and sellers. With AI, BLK is further streamlining trade by optimising logistics, forecasting market trends more accurately, and significantly reducing operational costs. These technological advancements will reshape how commodities markets function, offering substantial competitive advantages to early adopters.

The £50 million investment will also directly support BLK’s operational expansion. Key plans include the strategic acquisition of new shipping vessels, which is crucial for expanding BLK’s logistics capabilities. Enhancing logistics will ensure BLK can efficiently meet rising demand, reduce shipping times, and improve the overall reliability of commodity supply chains.

The investment is a clear indication of BLK’s long-term strategy and market ambition. BLK has announced plans to list publicly via an IPO in 2025, a major milestone that will open new avenues for growth, visibility, and investor engagement.