Illuminate Financial, the thesis-driven venture capital investor dedicated to early-stage fintech and enterprise software companies, announced a strategic relationship with Jefferies, J.P Morgan, S&P Global and Deutsche Börse Group.

In connection with the transaction, these four institutions will commit to invest in Illuminate Financial’s venture capital strategy.

Illuminate Financial secures commitments from Jefferies, J.P. Morgan, S&P Global & Deutsche Borse #fintech #finance #venturecapital #fintechnews https://t.co/xGvl5KCbhK

— Illuminate Financial (@IlluminateFM) May 27, 2022

Founded by veteran finance executive Mark Beeston and operated with partners Alexander Ross and Rezso Szabo, Illuminate Financial’s funds have invested in more than 30 companies addressing core challenges across financial services including digital assets infrastructure, climate and ESG, data and private markets, as well as broader enterprise solutions that target the sector.

“Illuminate Financial has a tremendous track record in backing companies that identify and solve problems in financial services”, said Nick Daraviras and Sol Kumin, Co-Presidents of Leucadia Asset Management, the asset management division of Jefferies. “This is a sector in which Jefferies has long had expertise and can bring critical insights.”

David Hudson, Co-head of Digital & Platform Services, J.P. Morgan said, “Finding and partnering with nimble, innovative companies is a key tenet of our innovation strategy. Illuminate Financial is truly engrained in the financial start-up ecosystem. As an existing investor, we’re proud to be part of Illuminate Financial’s journey to foster innovative companies in wholesale financial markets.”

Sally Moore, Executive Vice President, Global Head Strategy, M&A and Partnerships, S&P Global said, “We value our long-standing relationship with Illuminate who have provided us with insights across a spectrum of new innovation that’s helping to shape the financial services landscape.  Connectivity with fintech participants is key to our partnership program strategy.”

Jörg Pietzner, Managing Director responsible for Group Strategy and M&A, Deutsche Börse Group said, “Our investment strategy is to foster innovation in strategic sectors around the capital markets. With Illuminate, we have built a strong relationship to be at the forefront of current fintech market developments.”

“The commitments made by four industry leaders highlight how financial institutions are committed to backing and partnering with next generation startups as a key pillar of their technology strategies,” said Beeston.

Source: Illuminate Financial