Frello, the groundbreaking peer-to-peer lending app, is full speed into its strategic fundraising initiative that’s set to revolutionize the financial landscape. Co-founders Chris Harder and Matt Marek have self-funded the pre-seed round and are now inviting strategic investors to join their mission of transforming personal loans into a community-driven experience.
Frello’s unique approach to fundraising, termed a “strategic fundraise,” sets it apart from traditional investment rounds. Unlike typical startups, Frello isn’t just looking for capital; they are seeking strategic investors who bring more to the table than just financial support. Chris Harder, CEO and co-founder, explains, “A strategic fundraise means you can’t just have the money to invest. You also have to have either expertise to help us grow this thing or an audience that would have the lenders or an audience that would have the borrowers, or a way that you wanna be actively involved to be a great advocate of this, getting the word out there and helping this become a big success. That’s a strategic investor.”
The criteria for strategic investors extend beyond financial capabilities. Frello is looking for partners who can contribute expertise, provide access to potential borrowers or lenders, and actively advocate for the platform’s success. This innovative fundraising strategy aligns with Frello’s mission of creating a community-driven lending ecosystem.
Frello, known for its tagline “friendlier loans,” connects individuals in need with those who can offer financial assistance. The platform facilitates transparent and personalized borrowing experiences, allowing users to set their own terms and choose the best loan offers from a pool of lenders. Frello’s model disrupts traditional banking systems by fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
The platform has launched its Beta testing in the first quarter of this year already, with an app store-wide release scheduled for late summer. Chris Harder and Matt Marek, co-founders of Frello, are enthusiastic about the progress and the impact their platform will have on the financial industry.
“We’ve fully built out a working demo already. How crazy is that? And when you make a blind bid, you don’t know if you’re making a bid that they’re gonna choose or not. Because as you make a bid, and I make a bid, and Lori makes a bid, and everyone else makes a bid, these bids set the market, and the market sets itself for the person in need,” explains Harder.
To add an exciting twist to their fundraising efforts, Frello has already secured over three million dollars from a list of celebrity and influencer investors who share the enthusiasm for the platform. However, Frello is extending an invitation for other strategic investors to join this transformative mission in order to complete their round.
Chris Harder emphasizes the exclusivity of the opportunity. All investors must be Accredited investors, as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, are individuals with a minimum annual income of $250,000 or a couple with an annual income exceeding $300,000 for the last two years. Alternatively, an accredited investor can be someone with a net worth exceeding one million dollars, excluding the value of their primary residence.
Frello is determined to attract strategic investors who share their vision of making it easier and more affordable for the average person who finds themselves in a financial bind. Chris Harder encourages potential investors to fill out the questionnaire on the official Frello website. If qualified, they will be contacted to discuss the possibility of becoming a strategic partner.
Frello’s mission goes beyond creating a lending platform; it aims to leave a lasting impact on individuals facing financial hardships. Chris Harder recounts a personal experience that fueled his idea for this project, sharing how he gave $680 to a landscaper struggling to pay for his truck. This created a chain reaction, allowing the landscaper to not only keep his truck but ultimately buy another one and hire two more workers.
This became the inspiration for what is now Frello. “This truly is my legacy project. I can tell you that. This is my—what people will say— ‘Hey, what did he build? What did he do to really contribute to the world?’ And I really believe that this will be that legacy project,” Chris Harder shared.
The collaboration between Chris Harder and Matt Marek, who brings extensive tech expertise to the table, has been instrumental in bringing Frello to life. Matt Marek, previously the founder of a nine-figure tech company, assembled a skilled team that includes Management professionals, top CFOs, designers, and engineers, ensuring the project’s success.
Frello’s journey has been marked by divine serendipity, with the right people and resources falling into place at the right time. As the platform prepares for its Beta launch, the team is eager to change the narrative surrounding personal loans, making them more accessible, transparent, and community-driven.
For those interested in joining Frello’s mission or becoming a strategic investor, visit frelloapp.com and be part of the financial revolution.