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Serial investor Tim Heath, Founder of Yolo Investments, and representatives of investee companies SAVii and ONE – formerly known as AIMS Group – discuss their shared mission of promoting financial inclusion via fintech innovation, exploring the benefits of networking and collaboration in the new age of venture capital.
As an early adopter of crypto and the creator of iGaming systems Bitcasino.io, Sportsbet.io, and hub88.io, Tim Heath is used to being ahead of the curve, specialising in the cross-section of gaming, fintech, and blockchain. “It’s important to take calculated risks, identifying unique opportunities at the intersection of industries” shares Heath. “No sector is that more prominent than the field of emerging technologies – particularly in the digital sphere.”
Expanding beyond the iGaming sector, Heath entered the world of VC in 2017, bringing his expertise in fintech and blockchain to the new age of investments. “I have always had a passion for constant evolution, whether that is in the products we design, our business model, or to the larger industry.” “I was ready for the next step – to invest in other start-ups that aren’t afraid to step into the unknown, taking risks to innovate and disrupt the norm in all manner of tech start-ups.”
As a result, Heath founded Yolo Investments, a VC firm focused on seed and A-stage investment opportunities across gaming and fintech.
Five years after Heath’s initial venture into VC, I had the opportunity to sit down with him and the representatives of Yolo Investments’ investee companies SAVii and ONE.
“When we first discovered Yolo Investments, I was impressed with the breadth of their portfolio” shares Liam Grealish, CEO and Co-Founder of SAVii. “It was clear Tim is well-connected.”
SAVii is an interactive platform that works directly with partner companies in the ASEAN region and India, such as McDonald’s and DHL, to collect accurate data to provide affordable salary loans to employees.
“We serve the underbanked rather than the unbanked” explains Grealish. “Our end goal is to revolutionise the credit system in the ASEAN region and India, making it more inclusive.”
Grealish continues, stating the company’s ethos that “financial inclusion goes beyond having access to financial institutions, it is ensuring these institutions serve the community.”
As Grealish finishes his statement, I see both Heath and Andrew Clover, the CEO of ONE, nodding in agreement.
“SAVii’s mission aligns with Yolo Investments,” shares Heath, noting his recent ventures have been in firms that meet at the intersection of gaming, fintech, and blockchain, aiming to solve global issues surrounding the architecture of payments and financial inclusion.
While not serving the underbanked directly, ONE is focused on providing deep liquidity trading solutions for underserved industries.
“At ONE we provide international digital currency trading solutions for underserved industries within fintech, including gambling, crypto-asset and sport betting operators, traditionally excluded businesses, and complex corporate structures” shares Clover.
Also working with private individuals, ONE provides an alternative to the traditional online banking system and is ultimately involved with international money movement and transfers via digital currencies.
“The ability to execute direct, quick, and secure payments, both domestically and internationally, is crucial for any business” explains Clover.
“Tim’s old fashion ‘no-nonsense’ approach to venture capital, bringing not only the funds but the network and strategic advice, has helped made ONE the success it is today.” When reflecting on ONE’s experience with Yolo, Clover added that Heath’s approach has been particularly beneficial in the past year with ONE’s recent expansion into the Brazilian market.
Partaking in two investing rounds for both firms to date, Heath has a strong relationship with the leadership teams at ONE and SAVii.
Grealish notes that “as a consumer-centric and purpose-driven company, it has been great partnering with Yolo and Tim over the past year as they have similar values, with them investing in companies that are focused on the architecture of payments, driving financial inclusion.”
Beyond their alignment in values, Grealish comments that “having Yolo as an investor has had unexpected networking effects,” both in terms of connecting with Yolo’s other investee companies and with help expanding across borders.
Building off this statement, Clover echoes this sentiment, noting that ONE gains knowledge of financial inclusion in the Philippines by working with SAVii while SAVii has gained access to crypto payments.
“Everyone wins” Heath simply states.
The success of SAVii and ONE, thanks to Heath’s no-nonsense comprehensive approach to VC, has been noticed in the industry, attracting more start-ups to apply for funding from Yolo Investments, building into the community Heath has carefully crafted.
In a self-fulfilling cycle, Heath has created a VC community that can benefit everyone from founder to consumer.
“We are actively looking to invest in outstanding people with bright ideas that disrupt the norm, building into our Yolo community” concludes Heath. “This network can supercharge the growth of young fintech start-ups, ultimately shaping the future of tech and thus, our world.”
