A new Canadian fintech startup has launched a platform to make investing in the stock market “easy for everyone.”
The Toronto-born company, Investipal, was created from a single goal: give everyday investors the tools needed to invest confidently on their own.
“Whether that’s helping identify investments that resonate with you, helping construct the right portfolio, or seeing what your friends own—we offer a full stack investment research platform,” the fintech says.
The solution offers transparency, education, and access to a toolkit “typically only reserved for professional portfolio managers.” Proprietary algorithms scan “the entire investment universe” to deliver clients bespoke investment themes to conduct research and build their portfolio.
Investipal was founded on the trading floor at an investment bank. Having worked as a Quant and ETF research analyst, cofounder Cameron Howe was asked by friends and advisors alike: what should I invest in?
“While a simple question, it warrants a complex answer as everyone has unique constraints and interests,” Howe pondered.
Born from this seed was Investipal.
“We wanted to bring the tools institutions have at their finger tips, but streamline it so anyone—regardless of their skill level—could confidently invest on their own,” the company says.
According to Howe, Investipal isn’t just another “robo-advisor.”
“It acts as your personal guide by bringing you the knowledge you need and automates the part you would pay handsomely for—because that’s the part of investing that helps weather the storms and where investing ‘rookies’ would not have the skill to manage a downturn,” he posits.
By keeping research on one platform, Investipal eliminates the need for clients to navigate multiple sources of information, which can be time-consuming and overwhelming for novice investors, according to a statement from the fintech. This streamlined approach not only saves clients time and effort but also reduces the risk of incomplete data.
In addition, Investipal offers a “sharing” feature on its platform: clients can subscribe to other portfolios for inspiration—from personal friends to public figures and investment experts like Warren Buffett and Bill Ackman—to learn from the best.
Clients can scan 30 themes on the platform ranging from Environmental, Social, and Governance to Artificial Intelligence and more, along with Exchange-Traded Funds that fit their risk tolerance. Analytics are showcased in an easy-to-understand format so clients can build a mock portfolio before committing real funds.
Currently Investipal’s clients are managing over $60 Million on the platform.
“By empowering individuals to invest in stocks and other assets, Investipal can help people build wealth and create a legacy of generational prosperity,” stated cofounder and CRO Abdi Jama. “This platform has the potential to make a significant impact in North America and beyond.”
Banks and financial services firms can also leverage the Investipal platform as a white-label offering to “educate and demystify the investing process, keeping clients engaged and loyal.”
The so-called “Pocket portfolio manager” was originally conceived by Howe and Jama in Toronto in 2021.
Other fintechs innovating the investment space for Canadians include Calgary-based Flahmingo Investments. Founded in 2020 by Taran Singh Kainth, Gio Moros, and Kunal Seth, Flahmingo aims to deliver commission-free, fractional trading with a minimum investment amount of just one dollar.
Meanwhile Obsiido wants to usher in a new era of alternative investment opportunities for Canadians. The platform intends to provide education around complex investments, so that less financially experienced investors can understand what they’re buying into.
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