Riva Money has secured $3 million in pre-seed funding to modernize cross-border payments for businesses. The round was led by Berlin-based venture capital firm Project A and supported by notable angel investors from companies like Revolut, Monzo, Ebury, and J.P. Morgan.
The round gives Riva early momentum as it prepares to launch its blockchain-powered payment platform.
International B2B payments are overdue for an upgrade. Despite the evolution of consumer fintech, businesses still face delays, high fees, and a lack of transparency when sending money across borders. Riva aims to change that with a platform that blends traditional banking rails with blockchain-based routing.
"Our mission is simple: to enable businesses' limitless global money movement — at a fraction of today's cost," said Niklas Hoejman, co-founder and CEO of Riva.
Mahendra Katoch, Riva’s co-founder and CTO, added: "By combining blockchain technology with a robust regulatory framework, we're building a solution that offers businesses the speed, transparency, and cost-efficiency they need to thrive in today's interconnected economy."
The company’s approach allows transfers to be routed via stablecoins or fiat, depending on what is most efficient for the customer’s location and needs. The result, they say, is faster, cheaper, and more transparent payments — without compromising compliance.
With the funding secured, Riva plans to scale its team and finalize development of its core platform. Initial go-to-market plans target key business corridors in Europe, Asia, and North America.
A significant portion of the new capital will also support regulatory efforts. Riva is currently pursuing payment institution licenses in the UK and EU, as well as MiCA and VASP registrations in Switzerland and across the EU. This foundation, the company says, is critical for building trust and unlocking long-term growth.
Riva was founded by Niklas Hoejman and Mahendra Katoch, two fintech veterans with experience at Revolut, Wise, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup. Their on-the-ground insights into the inefficiencies of legacy infrastructure led them to create Riva in 2024.
The company is building its solution from the ground up, combining real-world payment expertise with emerging technology to serve modern business needs.
The round was led by Project A, with participation from fintech-savvy angels who previously held senior roles at institutions like Revolut, Monzo, Ebury, and J.P. Morgan. According to Project A’s Partner and Managing Director, Malin Posern:
"With stablecoin adoption accelerating and regulatory frameworks maturing globally, the time is right for an infrastructure rethink. Riva's dual-rail system for businesses elegantly solves for both speed and flexibility in a market that's still reliant on legacy processes. Niklas and Mahendra's deep expertise in payments and financial markets positions Riva perfectly to build the next generation of payment services."
