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Kealan Lennon is CEO of CleverCards, a business that issues customisable digital Mastercards for employee benefits payouts and employee business expenses.

The incoming government could help resuscitate the country’s beleaguered restaurant sector by enabling employers to give tax-free meal vouchers for staff to spend at local restaurants and cafes, according to the founder of a fast-growing gift-card technology platform.

Christmas is just around the corner, and while the festive season brings plenty of cheer, it’s also a time when companies look for ways to show their appreciation for their hardworking staff.

With rising inflation and increasing financial pressures, the UK’s workforce is struggling to stay afloat. During this cost of living crisis, it is essential for businesses to offer the deserved financial support to employees, yet the UK’s outdated tax-free gifting cap of £50 remains a prime example of how the government is failing to meet the needs of its country.

The vast majority of Irish employees, 84%, say receiving a Christmas gift card from their employer would increase their loyalty and reduce their likelihood of changing jobs.

Kealan Lennon is CEO of CleverCards, a business that issues customisable digital Mastercards for employee benefits payouts and employee business expenses.

September has seen a number of notable developments in the payments sector, including funding rounds, new hires, and new product launches.

Here, we run through five of the top payment stories from September, featuring Nexi Group, Mastercard, CleverCards, and more.

A selection of significant companies have been announced as finalists at the ceremony, which recognises the achievements of Ireland’s financial services sector.

Amazon attracted headlines last week after ordering employees to return to the office five days a week. Was that a brave leadership decision or a retrograde step? We ask Irish business leaders what they think

Irish fintech has a ‘game-changing’ plan to roll out digital Ibans and commercial debit cards. Founder Kealan Lennon says it will be a gamechanger both for the company and the corporate spending landscape

As business groups prepare for increased reporting obligations on non-taxable employee perks, Kealan Lennon outlines how his product can help in the transition

Irish paytech CleverCards has unveiled former Edenred executive Ray Brash as its new chief operating officer (COO) amid an “ambitious growth and expansion strategy”.

CleverCards, a leading global digital payments platform, has today announced the appointment of Ray Brash as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). This key hire comes on the back of CleverCards’ recent €8 million funding round, marking another significant milestone in the company’s ambitious growth and expansion strategy.

CleverCards, a leading global digital payments platform, has today announced the appointment of Ray Brash as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Here is our listing of the hot young start-up businesses from across Ireland who will do great things in 2025. From AI and fintech to e-commerce, medtech and retail, Ireland’s growing entrepreneurial landscape boasts a dynamic mix of start-ups.

CleverCards, the global digital payments platform, has today announced an €8m capital raise, including an investment from Pluxee, a global player in Employee Benefits and Engagement, and an additional investment from existing investors. The investment stands out in the current capital markets impasse and brings CleverCards’ total funding to date to €28m.

A startup that uses technology to stop employees from abusing corporate expenses just raised 8 million euros ($8.6 million) of funding from investors, defying a slump in investment for the financial technology industry.

CleverCards, a global digital payments platform, has announced an €8 million capital raise, including an investment from Pluxee, a global player in Employee Benefits and Engagement, and an additional investment from existing investors. The investment stands out in the current capital markets impasse and brings CleverCards’ total funding to date to €28 million.

Irish-headquartered CleverCards to use capital in accelerating expansion efforts, building on the rapid adoption of its configurable global payments platform.

Officially launched in the market last year, the Dublin-headquartered fintech company now has more than 350,000 users across 92 countries.

The funds, from a variety of existing and new investors, will accelerate its expansion efforts, according to the company.

Irish fintech CleverCards uses a digital platform linked to configurable expense cards to give companies control over how employees use their corporate cards.

CleverCards is revolutionizing the global payment platform sector through its innovative, digitally distributed Mastercards. Find out more with CleverCards.

CleverCards, the global digital payments platform, is set to embark on a new phase of growth with the announcement that it has opened 350,000 accounts. Find out more with CleverCards.

Irish payments start-up CleverCards is creating 35 new positions in Sandyford as it announces it has opened 350,000 accounts. Find out more with CleverCards.

Kealon Lennon’s firm, which has a lucrative deal with Mastercard, has seen a tripling of business in 2023. Find out more with CleverCards

Is your annual treat from your employer being sucked into your day-to-day spending? What did you spend your last bonus on? That’s assuming, of course, your company was offering them.

It was while taking part in an IDA Ireland trade mission to China in 2019 that Kealan Lennon hit upon the first spark of an idea for CleverCards, the payments platform provider that would, four years later, bring to market what the serial entrepreneur calls “Ireland’s first tax-free digital Mastercard”.

Like children writing their wish list for Santa Claus, startups lined up last Wednesday to make their case to Finance Minister Michael McGrath ahead of next month’s Budget 2024.

Challenges loom for Ireland’s status as one of Europe’s most popular destinations for foreign investment because a scarcity of affordable housing is having an impact on companies’ ability to find accommodation for their employees.

CleverCards allows firms to e-mail digital Mastercards to their employees, which they can use online or anywhere in the world.

When Monzo published its latest annual revenue figures in February, it provided a flicker of light after months of headlines about fintech down rounds and job cuts.

With the global horsepower of Mastercard as its payments partner, CleverCards may be about to hit its stride. Find out more with CleverCards

Stripe has reportedly told potential investors that the payments pie isn’t a zero-sum game: there’s room for a lot more expansion. Find out more with CleverCards.