From Finance to Fintech: Joe Kinvi’s Journey to Borderless
When Joe Kinvi joined Touchtech Payments in 2017 as head of finance, he faced a unique challenge. The Irish startup couldn’t afford his full salary, so Kinvi negotiated for stock options to make up the difference. Little did he know that this decision would ultimately pave the way for his entrepreneurial journey.
Eighteen months later, Stripe acquired Touchtech Payments, and Kinvi’s equity in the company converted into valuable Stripe shares. With this newfound financial freedom, Kinvi decided to leave his job, bootstrap a side project, and eventually establish his own startup.
That startup, known as Borderless, has quickly gained traction in the fintech space. Based in the U.K., Borderless is focused on helping Africans in the diaspora collectively invest in startups and real estate back home. Since its beta launch last year, the platform has processed over $500,000 in transactions, signaling a strong demand for this type of investment opportunity.
“The diaspora sends billions of dollars in remittances, but very little of it goes into productive assets,” Kinvi explained. “We believe that by connecting the right collective with the right investment opportunities, we can empower individuals to invest in a way that truly benefits their communities.”
Kinvi’s journey to Borderless began in 2020, amidst the global pandemic. Together with a group of friends, he co-founded Hoaq, an investment club that pooled resources from local and diasporan angels to support African startups. However, the journey was not without its challenges.
From opening a bank account to navigating regulatory hurdles, Kinvi and his team encountered numerous obstacles along the way. Despite these challenges, the experience of building Hoaq laid the foundation for what would later become Borderless.
Fast forward to 2022, Kinvi had left his roles at Stripe and Paystack to focus on solving the problem that inspired Hoaq. He developed a digital tool that streamlined the investment process, from onboarding to disbursement. This tool soon garnered interest from other collectives, leading to the creation of Borderless.
Today, Borderless serves as the backend infrastructure for diaspora collectives, facilitating secure cross-border payments and capital deployment. The platform has attracted over 100 communities on its waitlist, with current users investing in startups and real estate projects in Kenya.
Operating under U.K. regulatory cover, Borderless ensures compliance with securities laws while offering investment opportunities in startups and real estate. Looking ahead, Kinvi envisions expanding into additional asset classes, such as film and diaspora bonds.
Central to the Borderless model is trust, a critical factor for diaspora investors wary of informal investment channels. By routing funds directly to verified sellers and implementing rigorous compliance checks, Borderless aims to provide a secure and transparent investment experience.
With revenue streams from transaction fees and membership dues, Borderless is well-positioned to capitalize on the $30 billion in migrant savings that remain untapped each year. This potential has attracted notable investors, including DFS Lab, Paystack CTO Ezra Olubi, and executives from Stripe and Google.
For Kinvi, Borderless represents more than just a financial opportunity. It’s about empowering Africans in the diaspora to invest confidently and securely in their home countries, laying the groundwork for a brighter future.
As Borderless continues to grow, Kinvi acknowledges the challenges ahead, particularly in scaling the platform without compromising security and integrity. With a focus on robust identity verification and fraud detection, Borderless aims to protect its users and uphold its commitment to trust and transparency.
