Finance
KPay, a financial management platform for SMEs, raises $55M Series A | TechCrunch
Sometimes, the easiest way to find a great idea for a startup is to look beyond the current problem you’re solving for your customers.
That’s exactly what worked for the founders of KPay. Davis Chan and his co-founders previously helped small and medium-sized merchants optimize their revenue and traffic in Asia, but they eventually noticed how inefficient managing payments and finances was for their customers.
Traditional financial solutions for merchants and SMBs do not effectively cater to the modern needs for business agility, integration, and data-informed decision-making, Chan said. “This fragmented approach results in inefficiencies, higher costs, and a lack of actionable business insights.”
That insight led them to start KPay, a one-stop financial management platform for merchants and SMBs. The company has seen decent traction in the three years since its inception: It now serves 45,000 merchants in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan, and partners with more than 150 SaaS providers, banks, and financial service firms. The company says it aims to increase its partnerships to serve more businesses in Asia.
“We’re investing in payment technologies that offer greater flexibility, speed, and security to merchants to accept all major payments, supporting payroll, bill settlement, and both local and global remittance as a unified financial management platform,” Chan told TechCrunch.
Investors certainly seem to have noticed the opportunity here: KPay recently secured $55 million in a Series A round led by London-based investment firm Apis Partners.
The fresh cash from the Series A will be put toward product development, as well as enhancing its go-to-market speed, improving customer experience through organic growth, and expanding into new Asian markets and supporting inorganic growth strategies such as strategic mergers and acquisitions, Christopher Yu, CFO of KPay, told TechCrunch. In addition, the startup is exploring how AI will improve the merchant experience, increase operational efficiency, and boost revenues.
Yu did not provide specific details about KPay’s revenue and profitability but said its revenue had achieved a compound annual growth rate of 166% since its inception.
“Looking ahead, our goal is to enable 1 million merchants within the next five years, creating an inclusive digital economy where neighborhood businesses have the same opportunities as major brands,” Chan said.
The company has about 440 staff across its bases in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Harley-Davidson’s new CEO wants to transform how people think about the iconic motorcycle brand, so the company is trying something different.
This week, Harley announced a new strategy that focuses on lower-priced bikes, rather than relying on older, more affluent customers to buy its higher-margin touring models.
“Back to the Bricks builds on our core strengths and competitive advantages, harnessing the passion of our riders to deliver profitable growth for the Company and both our dealers and shareholders,” Harley CEO Artie Starrs said this week. “As we drive towards this new phase of growth, we remain committed to the craftsmanship and dedication that define our brand.”
Entry-level Harley-Davidsons cost about $13,000, while the higher-end Adventure Touring models average about $23,250, and the Premium Range &CVO models cost about $38,500, according to Reuters.
Harley’s new strategy targets a core profit of over $350 million from its motorcycle business by 2027 and over $150 million in cost reductions.
To kick off the new strategy, Harley is introducing Sprint, a new entry-level model powered by a smaller 440cc engine, later in the year.
What is Harley-Davidson’s “Back to the Bricks” strategy?
Harley’s new strategy relies on more than just pushing buyers toward cheaper vehicles to increase volume. The 123-year-old company has a set of five pillars on which it is building its future.
Harley-Davidson “Back to the Bricks” 5-point plan
-
Deep appreciation of Harley-Davidson’s competitive advantages and legacy: The Company’s iconic brand, diversified and powerful revenue channels, and best-in-class dealer network provide a powerful foundation for growth.
-
Renewed commitment to exclusive dealer network to drive enterprise profitability: Harley-Davidson’s dealers are a competitive advantage. The Company is planning actions to enable dealers to double profitability in 2026 and then double it again by 2029.
-
Immediate actions to recapture share in areas where Harley-Davidson has right to win: Harley-Davidson has strong legacy equity in existing markets including new motorcycles, used motorcycles, Parts & Accessories, and Apparel & Licensing. The Company’s new strategy is focused on positioning the Company to regain share and drive meaningful volume growth in categories where it benefits from credibility, scale, and deep rider connection.
-
Strong financial position with a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin: Cost and restructuring actions already underway support a path to stronger free cash flow and EBITDA margin over time.
-
Bolstered management team with balance of fresh perspectives and institutional knowledge: Harley-Davidson has made a number of leadership appointments that support the Company as it leverages its innate strengths.
Written by Jitendra Parashar at The Motley Fool Canada
Dividend investing can be one of the simplest ways to build long-term wealth while creating a steady stream of passive income. But in my opinion, a good dividend stock is about much more than just a high yield. Beyond dividend yield, investors should also look for companies with durable businesses, reliable cash flows, and a history of rewarding shareholders consistently over time.
That’s exactly why many investors turn to financial stocks. Banks and asset managers often generate recurring earnings through lending, investing, and wealth management activities, allowing them to support stable dividend payments even during uncertain market conditions.
Two Canadian financial stocks that stand out right now are AGF Management (TSX:AGF.B) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD). Both companies offer attractive dividends backed by solid financial performance and long-term growth strategies. In this article, I’ll explain why these two financial stocks could be worth considering for income-focused investors right now.
AGF Management stock continues to reward shareholders
AGF Management is a Toronto-based asset manager with businesses across investments, private markets, and wealth management. Through these divisions, the company offers equity, fixed income, alternative, and multi-asset investment strategies to retail, institutional, and private wealth clients.
Following a 59% rally over the last 12 months, AGF stock currently trades at $16.67 per share with a market cap of roughly $1.1 billion. At current levels, the stock offers a quarterly dividend yield of 3.3%.
One reason behind AGF’s strong recent performance is its increasingly diversified business model. The company has expanded its investment capabilities and broadened its geographic reach, helping it perform well across varying market environments.
In the first quarter of its fiscal 2026 (ended in February), AGF posted free cash flow of $36 million, up 14% year over year (YoY), driven mainly by higher management, advisory, and administration fees. These fees climbed to $92.5 million as demand for the company’s investment offerings strengthened.
AGF has also been focusing on expanding its alternative investment business and introducing new investment products. With strong cash generation and growing demand for alternative investments, AGF Management looks well-positioned to continue rewarding investors over the long term.
TD Bank stock remains a dependable dividend giant
Toronto-Dominion Bank, or TD Bank, is one of North America’s largest banks, serving millions of customers through its Canadian banking, U.S. retail banking, wealth management and insurance, and wholesale banking operations.
-
Oregon5 minutes ago4.9 magnitude earthquake strikes off Northern California coast near Oregon border
-
Pennsylvania11 minutes agoPennsylvania Medical Marijuana And Hemp Regulation Bill Sets The State Up For Broader Recreational Legalization, GOP Senator Says – Marijuana Moment
-
Rhode Island17 minutes agoProposed tax hike would hurt small businesses and our communities | Opinion
-
South-Carolina23 minutes ago11 Unforgettable Small Towns to Visit in South Carolina
-
South Dakota29 minutes agoHuman trafficking survivor advocate to speak at Rapid City church event
-
Tennessee35 minutes agoEthan Mendoza injured as No. 4 Texas loses to Tennessee, 5-1
-
Texas41 minutes agoWarm Saturday in North Texas ahead of severe weather chances later for Mother’s Day
-
Utah47 minutes agoDiscover the deliciousness of New York-style pizza at Fini Pizza in Utah City