BlackBullion: Revolutionising Finance and Access to Funds for Young People

BlackBullion, the financial wellbeing platform for young people and students, has won the prestigious Best Fintech by an Established For-profit Company at the Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards 2023 (MAIAs). 

Promoting Financial Literacy Through Education

The award recognizes BlackBullion’s commitment to simplifying finance and improving access to funds for young people. The platform covers over 80 financial subjects, making it accessible to students from all backgrounds. Their Student Money and Mental Health Report 2023 revealed that 87% of UK students worry about money, highlighting the crucial need for financial education.

“Financial inclusion starts with financial education,” says Vivi Friedgut, the founder of BlackBullion.

Revolutionary Funds Management System

BlackBullion’s Funds Management System (FMS) simplifies and speeds up the process of discovering and applying for eligible funds. It reduces the application time from weeks to just 48 hours, prioritising student needs. This makes it easier and less stressful for students to access funding, allowing university staff to better support students.”

A Marked Impact on Financial Education

MAIA co-founder, Trudi Harris notes “the impact of BlackBullion’s platform is massive, with over 1.2 million students benefiting from improved financial education and saving an average of £360 per year.” 

By promoting positive money habits, BlackBullion empowers students to take control of their finances and reduce the need for repeated funding support.

Inclusive Approach to Financial Aid

BlackBullion also focuses on accessibility and inclusion. FMS is inclusive at its core, ensuring that no student feels isolated from applying for financial support: 

• The platform is free to students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, first-generation students, and estranged students. 
• They also collaborate with partner universities to address the specific financial needs of female students and close the gender gap in financial literacy. 
• BlackBullion’s commitment to accessibility extends to students with disabilities. 

Impressive Reach and Ambitious Future Plan

Michael Gilmore, MAIA co-founder, highlighted that ” BlackBullion’s effectiveness is evident in their statistics. FMS has awarded over £13 million in funds to students and helped nearly 5,000 estranged students secure additional funding within the past year.” 

Currently, BlackBullion’s reach extends to more than 50 partner universities and colleges across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, benefiting over 1.2 million students. Partner institutions have praised the platform’s impact on student engagement, retention, and overall financial well-being.

Looking to the future, BlackBullion aims to create a digital end-to-end solution that supports students in discovering, applying for, and receiving funding more efficiently, all while embedding financial education at the core.

BlackBullion’s innovative platform is revolutionising financial education and access to funds, making money better for young people worldwide. With their dedication to financial inclusion and empowerment, BlackBullion is shaping the future of finance for the next generation.

To learn more about BlackBullion and Vivi Friedgut’s remarkable work, as well as all the other winners at MAIA 2023, visit: https://www.maiawards.org/winners-2023