In the latest episode of the Income Insights Podcast, host Denny Neithardt from Re:Think P2P welcomes key figures from Income Marketplace: Kimmo Rytkönen, the founder, and Lavrenti Tsudakov, the CEO since 2023. This episode marks several firsts, including recording on-site and celebrating Income Marketplace’s significant achievement of facilitating over 100 million euros in loans through the platform.
Reflecting on the Journey
Kimmo Rytkönen shares the origin story of Income Marketplace, which was established in July 2020 amidst the pandemic. The catalyst for creating the platform was the underperformance of larger platforms and the need for a better way of managing investments. By leveraging his background in lending and funding, Kimmo and his team quickly conceptualised and launched the platform by January 2021.
Despite initial challenges and a slower-than-expected start, the platform has grown substantially. Kimmo emphasised the importance of learning from competitors’ mistakes and focusing on thorough due diligence to differentiate Income Marketplace as a safer investment option.
Navigating Challenges and Achieving Success
The conversation also highlights some of the company’s key challenges and successes. For instance, a lender’s default, Click Cash, in November 2022 was a significant test for the platform. Kimmo and Lavrenti discussed the strategies employed to manage such situations, emphasising the importance of communication and finding the best solutions for investors. They also shared lessons learned from other repayment delays, which helped refine their processes and improve relationships with loan originators.
Leadership Transition and Future Plans
Lavrenti Tsudakov, who joined Income Marketplace in June 2021, shares his journey from a technical background to becoming the CEO. His role has been pivotal in bridging the gap between IT and business, enhancing the platform’s operational efficiency, and driving growth. Lavrenti’s promotion to CEO was a strategic decision to leverage his skills in managing day-to-day operations and guiding the company towards its ambitious growth targets.
Both Kimmo and Lavrenti are optimistic about Income Marketplace’s future. They plan to introduce new products, expand their loan originator pipeline, and improve system performance to handle increasing demand. Strategically, the company aims to achieve profitability and explore regulatory frameworks to enhance investor confidence.
Conclusion
Income Marketplace’s journey is a testament to its resilience and commitment to providing a secure investment platform. As the company continues to grow and evolve, it remains focused on delivering value to its investors while navigating the dynamic fintech landscape. This episode of the Income Insights Podcast celebrates past achievements and sets a positive tone for the future, promising exciting developments and sustained growth.
With a brief summer break ahead, the podcast will resume in September, providing valuable insights and updates on Income Marketplace’s progress. Stay tuned for more episodes as the company strives to reach new milestones and further solidify its position in the market.
