Tandym Announces Platform Launch and $60 Million in Funding
The first payments startup to offer innovative, frictionless digital credit solutions for e-commerce merchants of any size
Tandym is a first-to-market private-label credit card company that empowers merchants of any size to offer a branded digital credit card. Today, Tandym announced the launch of its platform alongside a $60 million funding raise: $10 million in equity financing and $50 million in debt financing. The equity round was led by Gradient Ventures, Google’s AI-focused venture fund, with participation from Obvious Ventures and other strategic partners. The $50 million debt financing round, led by a leading US-based private credit fund, will help Tandym meet its goals of expanding its merchant partner network.
Tandym’s innovative merchant-branded payments platform enables fast and seamless integration with any retailer, cuts processing fees up to 80 percent, and empowers merchants to convert processing cost savings into a compelling, turn-key loyalty program for their customers. For consumers, Tandym is the most rewarding way to pay: when using their merchant-branded card powered by Tandym, loyal customers earn 5% in rewards for future purchases at their favorite retailers.
“At Tandym, we are on a mission to help merchants grow their business,” said Jennifer Glaspie-Lundstrom, CEO and Co-Founder of Tandym. “We do this by democratizing access to private label card programs, which were previously only available for the nation’s largest retailers. With Tandym, merchants of any size can avoid expensive credit card processing fees that primarily serve to fund Big Bank loyalty programs. Tandym empowers merchants to instead fund their own loyalty programs for their customers with the savings.”
Tandym’s modern infrastructure is centered on reducing friction at checkout, lowering merchant costs, and improving the customer experience. The sophisticated underwriting systems at the center of Tandym’s platform, powered by real-time data and machine learning, better manages credit risk while yielding high approval rates for purchases. The underwriting model also ensures consumers won't see an impact on their credit when applying during checkout. The performance however is reported to the bureau, which has the benefit of helping consumers build or establish credit while supporting their favorite brands.
"The outdated processes and technology associated with private label credit often exclude smaller retailers and have historically proven themselves to be inefficient and costly,” said Zachary Bratun-Glennon, Partner at Gradient Ventures. "By making flexible, store-branded payment options more accessible, Tandym empowers merchants to increase their revenue while driving deeper customer loyalty and brand awareness.”
The funding will enable Tandym to expand its internal team and operations while raising awareness of its platform’s ability to help merchants strengthen their connections to the consumers they serve.
ABOUT TANDYM
Tandym is a financial technology company transforming the private label credit card industry. As the first and only company to enable e-commerce businesses to quickly and easily offer their own, next generation, private label credit cards, Tandym provides a comprehensive solution that drives business outcomes for merchants and the consumers they serve. The platform’s modern API allows for seamless merchant integration while delivering an innovative, digital-first customer experience.
ABOUT GRADIENT VENTURES
Gradient Ventures, Google’s AI-focused venture fund, helps founders build transformational companies. The fund focuses on helping founders navigate the challenges in developing new technology products, using the latest best practices in recruiting, marketing, design, and engineering so that great ideas can come to life. Gradient was founded in 2017 and is based in Palo Alto, California. For more information, visit www.gradient.com.