In today’s fast-evolving fintech landscape, few ventures manage to simultaneously tackle deep-rooted sector challenges while capturing the imagination of investors. Panda, the UK startup registered in 2024, is one such company — reshaping how students and young professionals manage social spending, all while empowering independent hospitality venues to thrive amid a transforming high street.
At the helm is Duncan Nyanzi, a serial entrepreneur whose track record includes launching a premium events company and a highly successful Provence rosé brand now distributed nationally. With Panda, he’s bridging two vast markets — fintech and hospitality — delivering a product both culturally relevant and commercially sound.
A Fresh Take on Credit — Transparent, Responsible, and Socially Smart
Unlike many BNPL products that have faced regulatory scrutiny and reputational risks, Panda’s approach is fundamentally different. It offers a branded, embedded credit solution specifically tailored for social occasions — think dining out, nights at the pub, and events — with three simple, fixed instalments, no interest, and no risk of compounding debt.
Critically, Panda offloads all credit risk and compliance to its FCA-authorised partner SteadyPay, which uses robust Open Banking checks to safeguard affordability. This means Panda can focus on creating a seamless experience for users and venues, without being exposed to credit defaults or collections headaches.
Empowering Hospitality — A New Revenue Stream for Independent Venues
Independent pubs, bars, and restaurants in the UK face unprecedented challenges from inflation, reduced footfall, and the rise of large chains with aggressive discounting. Panda’s embedded credit platform offers these venues a unique growth lever — enabling flexible payment options that encourage repeat visits and higher spend without exposing venues to financial risk.
Unlike many fintechs that rely heavily on consumer fees, Panda’s revenue model is anchored in transaction fees paid by venues, supplemented by revenue share with the credit provider. This creates a sustainable, scalable ecosystem aligning the interests of all parties.
Early Traction and Unmatched Market Access
With over 2,000 targeted venues lined up in its first 12 months and more than 40 hospitality businesses onboarded or committed to trial, Panda is rapidly building momentum in key regional markets like Bristol and Bath.
On the consumer side, Panda has secured a waitlist of thousands of students and millennials through strategic partnerships with UCAS, Unidays, and Dig-In — platforms representing some of the most engaged youth audiences in the UK.
This dual-sided traction validates Panda’s position as the only fintech and hospitality tech company globally offering such a focused, embedded credit solution — a true category pioneer.
The Investment Opportunity
Panda is currently raising £500,000 via Crowdcube at a £3M pre-money valuation, with funds earmarked for final product development, go-to-market execution, venue onboarding, and credit scaling.
Investors stepping in now have the opportunity to back a product already live, with operational credit infrastructure and commercial partnerships in place, led by a founder whose entrepreneurial pedigree is proven.
Why Investors Should Take Notice
In a world where fintech startups often promise growth without clear revenue or risk frameworks, Panda stands apart with a lean, capital-efficient model and no lending risk. Its deep hospitality expertise combined with cutting-edge fintech innovation positions it uniquely to capture and grow a large underserved market segment.
For investors seeking a differentiated, high-potential fintech with tangible early traction and a founder-driven culture, Panda represents a compelling proposition — one that could redefine how a generation spends socially, and how hospitality survives and thrives.
To learn more and secure your investment, visit: www.crowdcube.com/companies/panda.