A report in German newspaper Handelsblatt claims that Jan Marsalek, Wirecard‘s former COO who is seemingly on the run in gentle of the collapse of the as soon as outstanding Fintech, is alleged to be hiding out in Russia.
The report references within the know people who claimed that Marsalek is hiding out in a home west of Moscow below the management of the Russian GRU. Moreover, Marsalek, a 40-year-old initially from Austria, is alleged to have transferred vital sums in Bitcoin from Dubai to Russia as a part of his escape plan.
The GRU (GU) is Russia’s largest international intelligence company. Earlier reviews had solid Marsalek in a mysterious gentle as he was mentioned to have claimed relationships with international intelligence companies. Initially, it was thought Marsalek had absconded to someplace in Asia however this may increasingly have been a whole ruse to throw off investigators.
A report within the Each day Mail signifies Marsalek could also be below investigation by at the very least three separate western intelligence companies attributable to his alleged ties to the GRU. Marsalek is clearly a key individual of curiosity within the fraud allegations surrounding Wirecard.
Marsalek allegedly first went to Belarus however then was shuttled off to Russia by the GRU.
Wirecard (WDI:DE) entered into insolvency proceedings following the revelation that €1.9 billion had gone lacking. The chapter submitting has precipitated shares in Wirecard, at the moment a part of the DAX, to plunge from over €100 to below €2 a share wiping out an unimaginable quantity of shareholder worth.
Calum Brannan, founding father of Howsy, has been obsessed with tech since he was a teen, having designed his first social community on the age of 15 and bought software program to the police and banking sectors by 19.
Howsy, the serviced market for renting, is his latest enterprise. Got down to revolutionise the best way landlords and tenants work together, Howsy is making the renting course of easier, simpler and higher for all concerned.
Right here’s what the corporate is all about.
—
What’s Howsy’s imaginative and prescient?
Our core perception is that we have now a duty to make renting higher for everybody. While landlords could also be paying the payments, with out tenants there could be no sector!
How is Howsy bringing one thing new to the market?
Howsy pioneered zero charges for renters again in 2016, we launched zero deposit choices and assured hire for landlords in 2019 and constructed a buyer expertise that’s miles away from the normal mannequin. However Howsy isn’t constructed on intelligent know-how alone. Intelligent information evaluation and intuitive tech assist easy the lettings journey, however we additionally perceive {that a} key a part of our finish product means having the right staff accessible to supply actual life help – we provide this help to our clients 24/7.
How does Howsy remedy issues for renters and landlords?
We’ve been landlords and tenants ourselves, so, we perceive that lettings by no means stands nonetheless, and are regularly working with our landlords and tenants, listening to their suggestions and dealing on new product and tech growth to maintain up with the rental rollercoaster! When new laws is launched, like {the electrical} security checks final month for instance, we sprung into motion to develop a product appropriate for all of our landlords. They’ll depend on us to maintain them legally compliant, on the click on of a button. That is landlording made straightforward!
What has been probably the most important progress spotlight to this point?
There have been some actually important years within the historical past of Howsy!
December 2016, only a yr after the concept for Howsy was born, we celebrated our first seed funding, the opening of the London workplace a whopping fairness crowdfund of £600okay, elevating in simply 78 hours.
Our Coventry workplace opened its doorways in 2017, with growth into Manila in 2018. A rebrand in 2018 noticed us transfer from No Agent to Howsy.
There’s been no let-up in 2019/20 for the staff both, with two important sector acquisitions – first City.co.uk in November 2019 adopted swiftly by Upad in January 2020. Howsy now holds one of many largest databases for landlords and renters in UK – over 2 million of them.
What latest awards/accolades have you ever gained?
We’re delighted to have been topped Finest On-line Company 2019 on the Landlord Funding Present awards final yr, an actual honour!
We had been additionally shortlisted for an Amazon Rising Enterprise Award in 2017, and Calum Brannan was shortlisted for Begin-up Director of the 12 months on the Institute of Administrators in 2018.
What new partnerships/product developments do you may have upcoming?
We’re all the time connecting with different organisations inside the trade to discover how we are able to present probably the most rounded service to our shoppers. From working with authorized companions to delivering bespoke furnishings choices, we’re working with the perfect within the trade to ship probably the most finish to finish service, all below one roof.
What would be the biggest problem going ahead?
Maintaining with the demand! All through the Covid-19 disaster, we have now been vastly fortunate. As a web-based organisation we have now weathered the storm pretty simply, with all of our staff capable of work remotely and proceed servicing our landlords and tenants virtually as regular. With no employees furloughed, and the market naturally slowed, we have now been in a position to make use of this time to develop new plans for the latter half of 2020, and have our fingers crossed that we will get cracking on delivering them quickly.
What’s the major income stream for the enterprise?
Primarily, we need to make sure that tenants are capable of finding their dream property, and landlords are capable of finding their dream tenants – as soon as they’ve discovered one another, we need to assist that relationship run and not using a hitch, holding on prime of all upkeep and dealing with any hiccups. We cost a easy fastened payment for landlords, nobody likes tough percentages.
Because the market adjustments, there may be all the time the potential to maneuver the Howsy mannequin into completely different areas of the market. We’re centered at offering our service to personal landlords and personal tenants, nevertheless, following the Covid-19 outbreak, we anticipate to see a major shift in property patterns. With extra individuals turning to the rental marketplace for their housing choices, we might anticipate to see extra important buyers shopping for giant complexes and requiring block administration, extra homes of a number of occupation and extra native authority lets. Howsy’s product is ideal for all of those choices.
How would you describe your organization tradition?
We’re actually happy with the tradition we have now constructed at Howsy, which is centred throughout 4 key values: by no means settle, be collectively, be true and work arduous however benefit from the experience.
We recognise that in a younger firm, tradition is an ever-changing entity, that units the usual for the way persons are rewarded or questioned, so while we would like it to evolve, we really feel that the beliefs of the corporate should be completely understood by each worker. We imagine in what we imagine in, not as a result of it’s stylish or as a result of having a powerful tradition is a buzzword, however as a result of it makes us stronger and extra linked with our individuals, and it’ll lead us to an additional success.
What would be the major makes use of of proceeds from this spherical?
Howsy will proceed to drive progress by investing in our confirmed advertising channels and constructing extra know-how to make sure Howsy stays head and shoulders above our competitors, while driving margin enhancements.
What are you doing if you’re not working?
On a Saturday morning you’ll most likely discover me chasing round my French Bulldog Henry across the grounds of Kenilworth citadel within the city the place I stay.
What’s one factor you search for in a property if you hire?
For me, it’s all about discovering a impartial house that you may put your stamp on with furnishings, rugs, artwork or throws. I all the time attempt to persuade landlords to not be tempted to depart an excessive amount of of a private stamp on properties. It’s essential that renters could make their mark on their dwelling with out having to color partitions or take a look at wallpaper that provides them a headache.
What’s your prime tip for surviving lockdown?
I believe it’s actually essential to try to carve out a while alone daily. Whether or not that’s a stroll across the block or simply shutting out the world with a podcast, everybody wants a break.
I’ve much more nice content material coming your manner, so be sure that to remain tuned.
Let’s discuss a few of my favourite ideas for selling and getting extra consideration to your Fb marketing campaign.
13 Killer Fundraising Suggestions
Be private, not spammy. Fb is used to share messages relating to your loved ones and associates—they don’t essentially need to see you begging or pleading for cash. As a substitute, attempt a private strategy by sharing a narrative that demonstrates why you’re passionate concerning the undertaking, or success tales of the folks that you simply’ve helped. Speaking about your feelings can also be a sure-fire approach to stand out.
Use photographs, not simply hyperlinks.The fb algorithm doesn’t favor a plan hyperlink to your crowdfunding web page. The easiest way to drive site visitors is to have a standing replace, put up the hyperlink, after which embed a picture or video.
Ask direct questions that invite solutions.Fb customers usually tend to take motion when there’s a dose of tension concerned. Asking questions like ‘would you be prepared to help this?’ or ‘do you care about this?’ invitations solutions, objections that you would be able to clarify, and donations.
Create a Fb Group.Including folks which might be or influential with reference to your trigger is a good way to pay attention your demographic and create a mini media panorama the place you possibly can foster engagement and pleasure round your undertaking.
Make the most of Instagram & Fb Dwell Feeds.By going dwell, potential donors can see your face and join with you on a extra private degree. They’ll see how passionate you’re about your trigger, which is a good way to construct a rapport and rank increased on the Fb algorithm.
Direct Messaging.By reaching out to people immediately, you possibly can collect their consideration rather more forcefully and present that you’re invested in making private connections. With this, they’re extra more likely to take motion, as a result of they know it is very important you.
Chatbot/Auto Responder.Chatbots can reply frequent questions and disclose useful data for brand spanking new donors which might be doubtlessly becoming a member of the fold. It is a very simple approach to improve interplay with out even having to be current.
Social Proof.Displaying that individuals are already is a good way to show that folks care about your marketing campaign, and that it’s gaining momentum. If you’re working with a staff, guarantee that everybody concerned likes and shares the posts in your web page to create hype and a spotlight.
Fb Fundraiser.Utilizing the built-in Fb Fundraising function immediately makes use of the performance of the platform fairly than linking to a different platform like Go Fund Me. It will permit for a greater rating within the algorithm, however can restrict you in that you simply can’t drive donations from outdoors of Fb.
Make use of a ‘Thank You Technique.’It would be best to proceed to indicate appreciation and have a good time donations, thus fostering optimistic feelings. By saying that you’re grateful, you’ll make donors really feel like higher folks. Speaking appreciation for milestones and donations offers you an opportunity to proceed the dialog round your fundraiser.
Fb Occasion.Just like a Fb group, you possibly can focus your demographic and gauge curiosity. Utilizing a digital or dwell occasion can even assist to extend interplay by means of feedback and reactions.
Fb Adverts.You’ll should watch out with this one as it’s extra superior, however Fb adverts can assist to micro-target very particular populations. With this technique, you possibly can construct electronic mail lists to persistently attain your demographic.
Create Shareworthy Movies.All social media is predicated round inducing feelings, and a video is a good way to go about that. When folks really feel compelled by one thing, they’ll share it with their associates, thus permitting for natural outreach by people.
I hope you loved this put up and really feel extra assured in constructing a Fb Fundraiser. Try my ebook, Nonprofit Crowdfunding Defined, for a extra in-depth understanding of tips on how to construct an amazing fundraiser.
Alternative Community, a digital community that exists to offer equal progress enterprise alternatives to each CEO, has now raised practically £900,000 by its fairness crowdfunding marketing campaign on Crowdcube. The funding spherical, which has attracted greater than 45 Crowdcube buyers, is about to shut later this week.
As beforehand reported, Alternative Community is an invite-only community for choose CEOs and personal buyers to develop their companies worldwide. The platform contains greater than 30,000 CEOs from over 120 nations and a complete transaction move of ~$295BN. All members are screened by vetting companions, which incorporates UBS, ABN Amro, Residents Financial institution, London Inventory Trade Group, Intesa Sanpaolo, Caixabank, Alfa-Financial institution, Bci, BBVA, Eurobank, Vietinbank, YPO, Dentons and extra.
“Earlier than Alternative Community existed, decision-makers spent numerous time discovering, screening, and connecting to progress or funding alternatives, usually losing their time or risking frauds. Since its inception, the platform has been rising its member-base 70% YoY (2014-2019) and goals to be the quickest, most cost-effective and most dependable manner for CEOs to attach with their enterprise counterparts.”
Alternative Community additional defined that its algorithm matches CEOs to different decision-makers with their shared enterprise wants round any B2B want transaction above $50,000, together with:
Elevate & Make investments capital
Purchase & promote services
M&A or actual property
Funds from the Crowdcube marketing campaign will probably be used to proceed the expansion and growth of the Alternative Community’s platform. The
Have a crowdfunding providing you’d prefer to share? Submit an providing for consideration utilizing our Submit a Tip type and we might share it on our web site!
Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency platform Crypto.com introduced on Friday it has rolled out its new anti-phishing electronic mail function to assist defend change customers towards phishing makes an attempt. In response to Crypto.com, the anti-phishing electronic mail function helps reinforce the platform’s Protection in Depth method.
“With this new function, we’re trying ahead to serving to our customers transact with improved safety and peace of thoughts.”
Crypto.com additionally revealed that electronic mail phishing has change into widespread on crypto platforms and within the monetary companies sector usually. The platform famous typical assaults contain hackers sending deceptive emails disguised to appear to be authentic emails despatched by a financial institution to its prospects to “phish” for private info, similar to bank card numbers or passwords.
“To place issues into perspective, the UK authorities’s not too long ago established Suspicious E-mail Reporting Service reported over half one million reported scams involving cryptocurrency funding lures on this April and Could alone.”
Based in 2016, Crypto.com is aiming to speed up the “world’s transition” to cryptocurrency. Its key merchandise embrace the Crypto.com App, the MCO Visa Card, and the Crypto.com Chain. The platform not too long ago introduced it has diminished withdrawal charges for a complete of 12 cryptocurrencies.
