Curql

Curql is a pioneering venture capital firm based in Des Moines, United States, distinguished by its unique structure as a collective of credit unions. Established in 2021, Curql was formed as a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) to enable credit unions to collaboratively invest in and influence the development of innovative fintech solutions. This model provides participating credit unions with direct access to emerging technologies that can enhance their services and competitiveness, while offering fintech startups a direct pathway to a vast network of potential credit union clients.

Curql's investment thesis centers on identifying and funding fintech companies that offer strategic value to the credit union industry. Their focus spans a wide array of solutions, including digital banking platforms, payment processing innovations, data analytics tools, lending technologies, and cybersecurity solutions. Curql primarily targets early to growth-stage companies, typically those with proven technology and initial market traction. The firm seeks to invest in companies that can address critical needs of credit unions, improve member experience, streamline operations, and drive growth within the cooperative financial sector.

Since its inception, Curql has rapidly grown its influence and investment capacity. The firm successfully launched Curql Fund I in 2021 with an impressive $250 million, followed by Curql Fund II in 2023, which raised an additional $200 million, bringing their total committed capital to $450 million. As of early 2024, Curql has invested in over 30 fintech companies, deploying significant capital to accelerate their development and adoption within the credit union ecosystem. This substantial deployment underscores Curql's commitment to fostering innovation and ensuring the long-term relevance and competitiveness of credit unions in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Beyond capital, Curql offers its portfolio companies invaluable strategic guidance and unparalleled access to its network of over 100 participating credit unions. This unique ecosystem facilitates pilot programs, product validation, and direct feedback from end-users, significantly accelerating market penetration and product-market fit for fintech innovators. For credit unions, Curql serves as a vital conduit for technological advancement, enabling them to collectively invest in and benefit from cutting-edge solutions that might otherwise be out of reach for individual institutions, thereby fostering a collaborative approach to industry-wide innovation.