Remittance fintech startup Bless Payments has raised a US$2.5 million seed round to accelerate its international expansion and strengthen its financial products for migrant communities. The round, completed in July 2025, was backed by billionaire Khalil (Charlie) Shahin and London-based Forte Securities. The funding will support the company’s push into new markets and enhance its core platform, which aims to make global money transfers more transparent and affordable for everyday users.
A Mission Rooted in Migrant Realities
Bless Payments was founded in 2022 by Affy Bhatti, technologist Mo Zaatar, and Omair Chodhry to solve the daily financial pain points migrants face. Co-founder Bhatti, a former consulting principal at Deloitte, emphasizes that while migrants send billions home every year, they remain underserved by traditional financial institutions. Bless aims to deliver simple, low-cost tools that maximize how much money reaches families abroad while eliminating hidden fees and slow transfers.
The fintech’s remittance product already enables users to send money to 60 countries, offering competitive exchange rates and a streamlined user experience. With more than 1,500 active users, the company is targeting 8,000 users by the end of 2026, driven by increased product adoption and the opening of new regulatory corridors.
Fueling Growth and Product Innovation
The US$2.5 million seed investment will fund a multi-layered growth strategy. Bless has secured the regulatory approval needed to launch in Canada next month, with additional expansion planned for the United Kingdom in 2027 and the United States in 2028. These new markets represent key destinations for migrant communities and major global remittance hubs.
Product development is also central to the company’s next phase. Bless recently launched a travel card with zero transaction fees for overseas and online purchases, offering better foreign exchange rates than traditional banks. The company is expanding its engineering and compliance teams to scale its technology, strengthen risk management and support a growing user base.
Investor Confidence in a Purpose-Driven Model
The company is chaired by Peter Khoury, former managing partner at BDO South Australia, who brings deep experience in financial services, governance, and scaling businesses. Khoury highlights that the seed round validates Bless Payments’ mission-driven model and positions the startup to execute its global roadmap.
Investors view Bless as a challenger to established players such as Airwallex, Wise, Revolut, and Monzo. The focus on clear pricing, transparency, and the everyday needs of migrants gives the company a differentiated value proposition in a competitive landscape. The planned Series A will support further licensing, global expansion and product innovations aimed at making cross-border financial services more accessible.
Currently operating in Australia and preparing imminent entry into Canada, Bless Payments is building toward a multi-market footprint. With fresh capital and strategic backing, the company is positioned to become a leading platform redefining remittances and financial access for migrant communities worldwide.
Source: StartupDaily