Only One French Startup Makes CB Insights' List of Top 100 Global Fintechs
After the ranking of the 50 most promising insurtechs of 2026, it's now the fintechs' turn. In a study published on October 28, CB Insights unveiled a list of 100 standout companies in the sector to watch closely. To select the winners from among 70,000 candidates, the American firm relied on several criteria, including "the strength of investors," "recruitment momentum," "revenue," "commercial maturity," and "industry partnerships."
Among the "100 most promising fintechs of 2026," there is only one French company: Spiko, a specialist in cash management solutions. Founded in 2023, the startup notably raised $90 million in early October. For the French tech ecosystem, the 2026 edition marks a step back compared to 2025, which featured three French representatives: Descartes Underwriting, Skarlett, and Cryptio. It's worth noting that the absence of some major French fintech players, such as Qonto, Swile, or Pennylane, is not surprising. CB Insights specifically states that it excluded "fintechs in advanced development stages" from its analysis.
By sector, fintechs specializing in "cross-border payments" are the most represented, with 10 companies making the list. They are followed by two other categories, each with 7 companies: "business banking services" and "compliance and identity."
CB Insights also points out that fintechs offering solutions for consumers "are clearly in the minority" in this selection. The report also notes that "the winners are those who turn regulatory constraints into products." In total, the 100 selected companies have raised $10.9 billion and employ 21,000 people, with a median workforce of 78 employees.
This article was automatically translated from French. Read the original version: https://www.journaldunet.com/fintech/1557685-une-seule-start-up-francaise-parmi-les-100-fintech-les-plus-prometteuses-au-monde/