Demystifying Finance with Higgo van Biljon’s FinMeUp
Entrepreneur of the Month: FinMeUp
By Jeraldene Menon
The pursuit of financial knowledge and sustainability is critical for the advancement of the African continent. Entrepreneur Higgo van Biljon has taken a leap towards the creation of a more financially literate and economically secure future. Through his financial education platform, FinMeUp, Higgo is not only reshaping the landscape of financial literacy but is also setting an excellent example of how businesses can play a pivotal role in empowering individuals and combating poverty which is at the core of FinMeUp’s values.
FinMeUp might be a newcomer to the financial education scene, but its impact has been nothing short of remarkable. Higgo has swiftly turned his venture into a success, capturing the attention of South Africa and attracting learners from far and wide. His dedication to education and innovation has fueled the platform’s growth and earned him a reputation as a pioneer in the field.
According to Higgo, FinMeUp offers a unique approach to financial education. They use an online platform to deliver content that is not only informative but also engaging and fun. The platform caters to economically active South Africans who are eager to learn more about finances, plan their financial journey, and gain insight into the stock market. FinMeUp’s content is designed to be relatable, rewarding, engaging, and community-based, making financial education an enjoyable experience for its members.
Higgo explains, “Our business concept essentially started from my passion for education and finance. I wanted to share the knowledge and expertise that had been generously offered to me over the years. The best way to do this was through an online platform. We started with a WhatsApp group, and it later evolved into a comprehensive financial education platform.”
The platform’s evolution has been marked by significant milestones, including being awarded Edtech Startup of the Year at the regional Global Startup Awards Africa, securing funding through two rounds, building a community of over 80,000 members, launching various new products and platforms, and establishing key strategic partnerships.
One of FinMeUp’s key strengths is its focus on technology. Through their mobile-friendly platform, users nationwide, and even worldwide, can access their wealth of financial knowledge. Technology allows them to track and reward positive behavior, promoting “incentivized learning” or “learn to earn.”
However, Higgo and his team haven’t been without their challenges. Initially, securing funding was a challenge due to their commitment to prioritize education and community first, with monetization following later. Nonetheless, with their perseverance and a growing track record of success, they successfully garnered support from investors who bought into their vision.
Looking to the future, FinMeUp’s goals are clear. They plan to expand their core offering while continuing to build a strong community through strategic partnerships and organic growth. The ultimate vision is to dominate locally and, once established, expand offshore. A refreshed version of the FinMeUp App will be live soon, and regular updates will be shared on their Instagram page.
