This Fintech Startup is Making Private Investments Accessible for All – Ameetee Startup Review

Wealth managers and financial institutions often struggle to provide their clients access to private company shares, leaving investors feeling sidelined in an arena dominated by public market opportunities. The result? A noticeable capital flight towards more accessible online investment platforms.

As financial institutions search for ways to stay competitive, the challenge becomes finding a simple method to combine these private investing options into their offerings.

Enter Ameetee, a B2B fintech platform designed to bridge this gap. By offering a ‘white-label’ solution, Ameetee lets institutions, including private banks and family offices, present private investment opportunities under their own brand. This approach not only improves service offerings but also allows advisors to assist a broader range of clients without stretching their resources.

We did an interview to find out more about this innovative startup, its goals, and the people behind it.

What is Ameetee?

Ameetee is a B2B fintech platform that simplifies access to private investments for financial institutions. It allows banks, investment brokers, and family offices to offer their clients opportunities in private companies much like they do in public markets. This creates a more inclusive investment environment for a wide range of investors.

The startup addresses a significant issue: many traditional financial institutions struggle to compete with online platforms, leading to capital flight. Clients often feel sidelined in private market investments, which are typically available only to affluent individuals. Ameetee solves this by providing a ‘white-label’ solution, permitting institutions to seamlessly present private investment opportunities under their own brand without the burden of hiring additional staff.

What sets Ameetee apart is its comprehensive approach. While many platforms offer basic information, Ameetee manages the entire investment process. This includes vetting deals and preparing the necessary documentation for financial advisors and their clients. By simplifying this complex procedure, Ameetee not only broadens the service offerings of financial institutions but also enhances client confidence in private market investments. This platform is poised to reshape how private investments are presented and accessed in the financial sector.

Ameetee Founders

Mila Khrapchenko is a co-founder of Ameetee and brings more than two decades of experience in investment banking and structured finance. Her journey through the complexities of financial instruments and cross-border deals has shaped not only her professional ethos but also the very foundation of Ameetee.

With a well-rounded understanding of the finance landscape, Mila’s ambition to democratise access to private investments stems from her own experiences—navigating the challenges and intricacies of investing in both traditional and early-stage companies.

Alongside Mila, Sergey Shlyuger brings his wealth of knowledge, also amassed over 20 years in investment banking, equity capital markets, and venture capital. His insight into the funding mechanisms and the startup space complements Mila’s expertise, creating a powerful synergy that drives Ameetee forward.

Natan Shkurovich rounds out the founding team with 15 years of experience in deal structuring and private equity investments, particularly in cross-border transactions. His savvy in navigating complex financial landscapes further enhances the team’s collective capability.

The early days of Ameetee were marked by meticulous planning and strategic development. The team initially focused on creating an inviting website to showcase their venture, making it a critical entry point for potential clients. Identifying a skilled Chief Technology Officer was also a priority, someone capable of bringing their vision of a marketplace for investments to life. As they delved deeper into the tech side, they familiarised themselves with IT and UX services to ensure that their platform would resonate with users, communicating directly with prospects to tailor their offerings.

The inspiration behind Ameetee emerged organically from personal and professional experiences. As Mila explored investment opportunities, the barriers faced in accessing private markets became glaringly evident. Recognising a significant market gap—where private investments were typically reserved for wealthier individuals—the founders saw a chance to level the playing field. Their diverse backgrounds in finance and technology converged to address a pressing need, leading to a startup designed not just for the affluent, but for an inclusive investment landscape.

In a sector often characterised by rudimentary platforms that merely scratch the surface, Ameetee stands apart by taking a comprehensive approach to the entire investment process. From deal vetting to document preparation, the founders’ commitment to quality shines through, ensuring that investors receive a seamless and transparent experience. Their combined expertise does not simply reflect their professional histories; it also encapsulates their vision for a financial environment that works for everyone.

Interview with Mila Khrapchenko, Co-founder of Ameetee

We had the opportunity to sit down with Mila Khrapchenko, the co-founder of Ameetee. Here’s what she had to say about the innovative fintech startup:

Q: What does Ameetee do?

A: Ameetee is a B2B fintech platform that provides financial institutions with the opportunity to offer investments in private companies to their clients, similar to how they invest in public markets.

Q: Who is your target audience?

A: We serve financial institutions that offer investment opportunities to their clients, such as private banks, investment brokers, and family offices.

Q: What primary problem are you solving?

A: We aim to democratise access to shares of private companies and other private market assets. Many banks and wealth managers lack the resources to compete with online platforms, leading to capital outflow from these financial institutions.

Q: How does Ameetee solve this problem?

A: Ameetee provides financial institutions with a ‘white-label’ solution. This allows them to seamlessly integrate Ameetee’s opportunities into their product lineup and present them to their clients under their own brand, expanding their offerings without needing to hire additional staff.

Q: Can you tell us about your company’s founding team?

A: Our team comprises experienced professionals. I have over 20 years of experience in investment banking, structured finance, and cross-border deals. My co-founders, Sergey Shlyuger and Natan Shkurovich, bring over 20 and 15 years of experience in investment banking, equity capital markets, venture capital, and private equity investments, respectively.

Q: What inspired you to venture into this particular industry?

A: My extensive experience in the investment banking sphere showed me the complexities and barriers in accessing private markets. Personal and professional experiences revealed a significant market gap, where private investments were typically reserved for wealthier individuals. My partners and I combined our banking experience with our interest in startups, aiming to create an inclusive investment landscape.

Q: Can you share details about the early days of the startup?

A: Our initial focus was on developing a presentable website to introduce our venture. We also prioritised identifying a skilled Chief Technology Officer to create a marketplace for investments. We familiarised ourselves with IT and UX services, communicated with prospects, and ensured that our platform resonated with users by incorporating automation to gauge market demand and preferences.

Q: How does your startup differentiate from competitors?

A: Most investment platforms provide basic information about potential opportunities and leave organisational tasks to the client’s staff. Ameetee stands apart by handling the entire process, from vetting deals with investment professionals to issuing securities accompanied by full documentation for brokers, financial advisors, and their clients.

Q: Has your startup received external funding?

A: Yes, we raised a $1 million seed round from a group of business angels, including Jamie Karraker, founder of Alto Pharmacy.

Q: What are your startup’s plans for the future?

A: Our next steps involve developing platform technology and expanding into regions like Israel and Europe. Ultimately, our goal is to become a leading platform catering to diverse financial institutions across different markets and product preferences.

Q: How much does your startup make per month, and how many customers do you serve on average?

A: It is not applicable for us yet to indicate a monthly revenue or customer count, as we are still in our first year.

Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

A: Patience is crucial for success. Set high standards and clear goals, and strive to meet them without becoming disheartened by initial failures. Making numerous small mistakes is beneficial for a young company, so constantly test small hypotheses critically.

Q: Can you share some statistics related to your industry and startup?

A: The Fintech-as-a-Service (FaaS) segment of the fintech market is anticipated to grow substantially, predicted to reach $949 billion by 2030.

Feedough’s Take on Ameetee

Ameetee is a great innovation in the fintech industry, and can tackle the challenge of access to private investments. The platform’s strategic approach to improving financial institutions’ capabilities without extensive resources is praiseworthy. By simplifying the entire investment process and maintaining a strong user experience, Ameetee not only increases the appeal of institutions but also backs client trust in the murky waters of private market investments.

Looking forward, Ameetee is well-positioned to disrupt the financial sector further. As it expands into new regions, the anticipation is high for its capability to democratise private investments on a more global scale. However, ongoing success will hinge on effectively negotiating the complex regulatory environments across different markets. Overall, Ameetee exemplifies transformative potential in fintech, promising to broaden investment horizons remarkably.