10 Years of credi2 – a rocket launch and a landing in reality

credi2: A decade driven by a vision and a deep friendship

The story of credi2 is the best proof of what happens when three friends have a really good idea – and the courage to see it through. The company as we know it today was founded in 2015 by Daniel, Michael, and Jörg. They have been a sworn team for almost 15 years, and their unshakeable friendship gave them the strength to embark on this wild ride and shake up the world of consumer finance.

But one thing is also clear: such a rise does not happen in a vacuum. Without our investors, who believed not only in the product but above all in the people behind it from day one, we would not be where we are today.

On our 10th birthday, we don't just want to drink a good bottle of wine, we also want to take an honest look back. We were at the top, played a key role in shaping the BNPL space, and proved that fintech companies can work with banks. The last few years have been turbulent – from hype to the harsh reality of the market – and we have learned to demonstrate resilience and expertise at the highest level.

Today, champions such as tech giants and major banks trust us because our embedded lending platform puts banks right at the center of the digital world.

Time for some candid answers! We want to hear from the founders in their own words: What were the biggest WTF moments, how did the friendship endure, and what's next?

What was the best moment of the last 10 years?

Michael: There have been many good moments – it's difficult to pick just one. If I had to, I would say when we went live with the subscription program after an extremely short preparation and development period. That was a real team success.


Jörg: The 10th anniversary celebration. Knowing that we persevered despite all the setbacks and looking into the eyes of our colleagues who supported us along the way – that was a moment full of humility, gratitude, and pride.


Daniel: There were so many outstanding moments, it's difficult to pick just one. On the one hand, the founding itself, the fact that we really pulled it off back then, and on the other hand, the 10th anniversary, the fact that the company was able to celebrate its 10th anniversary despite a few setbacks.

What was the most difficult moment of the last 10 years?

Michael: On the one hand, the necessary staff reductions to ensure the continued existence of the company. On the other hand, the personal fates within the company—especially of employees whose partners suffered severe sickness. 


Jörg: Having to let employees go—decisions that were necessary but very difficult on a personal level.


Daniel: I can only repeat what Jörg and Michael already said: the reduction in staff and personal tragedies, which we have witnessed up close.

What advice would you give to your self from 10 years ago?

Michael: It's better to work on a long-term strategy that you believe in than to try to force success day after day.


Jörg: Use your energy wisely. Renovating a house, becoming a father, and launching a start-up at the same time is a much bigger challenge than you can imagine.


Daniel: Trust your gut feeling more, your first instinct is often the right one.

What will credi2 be focusing on over the next 10 years?

Michael: credi2 will continue to build on the foundation we have laid over the past 10 years. We will remain a solid and reliable partner for our customers. And we will also continue to identify relevant changes in the BNPL space and help shape future developments.


Jörg: Artificial intelligence, regulation, and compliance.


Daniel: The BNPL and embedded financing market has developed rapidly over the last 10 years. We expect the market to develop even faster in the coming years, especially with regard to AI. With the credi2 platform, we have created a very good basis for keeping pace with these developments. At credi2, we want to be pioneers when it comes to actively shaping the BNPL and embedded financing market and providing access to new players. As in recent years, we will be confronted with new regulatory developments. It will become increasingly difficult for regulated companies to comply with regulations on the one hand and keep pace with rapid market developments on the other. At this interface, we see ourselves as a reliable and ideal partner for banks and other financial institutions.

How will the fintech world change over the next 10 years – what new products, technologies, etc. should we prepare for?

Michael: Ten years is a very long time—but as far as I can tell, the immediate future looks like this:
 

  • New players in the European fintech market will have a tough time, especially if they start with little capital, as regulatory hurdles have increased dramatically in recent years. This makes bootstrapping virtually impossible.
  • AI will fundamentally change the way financial products are marketed, found, and used.


Jörg: The fintech world of the future is saturated by artificial intelligence – every innovation is based on it. Agile banking platforms are replacing the rigid systems of the past. Autonomous financial ecosystems are developing beyond traditional banks, and embedded finance is becoming the norm in everyday life.


Daniel: AI will be the decisive factor and fundamentally change the world of finance and banking to an extent that seems unimaginable at present. AI will transform traditional banking and payment and take it to the next level. Customers and their personal needs will increasingly take center stage.