Invstr

About Invstr

Invstr Ltd. operates as a financial technology company with the aim of democratizing finance for a new generation of investors. Founded in 2013 by Kerim Derhalli, the company is headquartered in London, although it was originally established in Warwick. Derhalli, a seasoned financial expert with nearly three decades of experience in the industry, including a tenure as Global Head of Equity Trading at Deutsche Bank, identified a critical need to make investment education and access more approachable for everyone. This vision stemmed from his observation that the world of finance was often perceived as complex and exclusive.

The core of Invstr's offering is its mobile application, which combines investment education, fantasy finance games, and real-money investing into a single platform. The app is designed to cater to both novice and experienced individuals, providing a comprehensive suite of tools. A key feature is the 'Fantasy Finance' game, which allows users to manage a virtual portfolio of $1 million, enabling them to practice trading strategies with real-time market data without financial risk. This gamified approach serves as an educational tool, helping users build confidence and market understanding.

Beyond the simulation, the platform facilitates real brokerage services through a partnership with Apex Clearing, allowing users to invest in U.S. stocks, ETFs, and fractional shares. The business model appears to be a commission-based structure, earning revenue from trading activities on the platform. Invstr serves a broad retail investor market, with a particular focus on millennials and Gen Z, who are often entering the investment world for the first time. By integrating social features, such as an investing community and news feed, the company fosters a collaborative environment where users can share insights and learn from one another. The platform also provides market data, charts, and educational content to support informed decision-making.