Pixpay

Pixpay is a French financial technology company targeting adolescents aged 10 and up by providing them with tools for money management. The company was founded in Paris in January 2019 by Caroline Ménager, Nicolas Klein, and Benoit Grassin. Two of the co-founders, Klein and Grassin, were previously part of the successful startup MonDocteur. Ménager, a mother of three who grew up in a family where money was a taboo subject, was motivated by the observation that many parents are not comfortable discussing financial topics. This personal experience, shared by her co-founder parents, drove the mission to break down the taboo around money and teach financial literacy within a secure framework.

The firm's core offering consists of a Mastercard payment card paired with a mobile application that has two interfaces: one for the teenager and one for the parents. This dual-app system allows for co-management of the teen's finances. Teenagers can use the app and card to make payments, receive money, and set savings goals. The platform includes educational resources, such as interactive modules and tips on budgeting, to improve financial literacy. Parents can monitor transactions in real-time, set spending limits, receive notifications, and block or unblock the card, providing a controlled environment for their children to learn financial responsibility. The business generates revenue through a monthly subscription model, priced at €2.99 per card, rather than a free service.

Pixpay secured its first funding round of €3.1 million in May 2019, led by Global Founders Capital. This was followed by a Series A round of €8 million ($8.98M) in March 2020, with participation from Global Founders Capital and Bpifrance. In July 2022, Pixpay was acquired by the UK-based fintech GoHenry, and a year later, the combined entity was acquired by the U.S. group Acorns. As of early 2025, Pixpay operates in France, Spain, and Italy, with plans to expand into Germany and the Benelux region. Following the acquisition, co-founder Benoît Grassin stepped down as CEO and was replaced by Cécile Marret, the former CFO of GoHenry.

Keywords: teen banking, financial literacy, parental control, fintech, mobile banking, debit card for teens, money management for youth, family finance, pocket money app, digital banking, financial education, youth finance, subscription service, Mastercard for minors, European fintech, spending controls, savings goals, transaction monitoring, mobile payments, financial independence for teens