At 1835i, our mission is to shape a future where people and communities thrive by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in banking. We do this by partnering with and investing in startups and scaleups that bring bold ideas and practical innovation to life—ideas that develop new capabilities and attract and retain ANZ customers.
Today, we’re excited to announce our latest investment and collaboration with CitoPlus, a fintech transforming how brokers support small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
A connection that started with a celebration
In May last year, we proudly sponsored the Emerging Fintech Organisation of the Year category at the Fintech Australia 2023 Finnies Awards—a night dedicated to celebrating creativity and innovation in fintech. Among the winners was CitoPlus, a standout for its bold vision to streamline the broker-to-bank process for SMEs.
That was the start of a journey that led to a meaningful partnership. Now, 18 months later, we’re excited to welcome CitoPlus to the 1835i portfolio as part of their Series A round.
Turning vision into action
As ANZ’s external innovation and investment partner, we focus on fostering collaborations that create value for both the bank and its customers. Our investment in CitoPlus reflects this commitment. Their platform simplifies and digitises the loan application process, reducing friction and accelerating access to finance for SMEs.
By combining CitoPlus’ innovative technology with ANZ’s dedication to supporting SME customers, we’re tackling a critical gap in the market. The result? Faster, more seamless lending that empowers brokers and small businesses to focus on growth, not red tape.
What’s in a name?
Graham Strain, one of the co-founders, revealed that deciding what to name themselves was one of the hardest decisions they faced. After exploring countless ideas, they settled on ‘Cito,’ the Latin word for ‘swift.’ It’s a perfect reflection of their mission to deliver faster, more efficient solutions for brokers and SMEs, cutting through complexity and delivering results with speed and precision.
Sometimes, the simplest ideas—like a name—capture the boldest ambitions. For CitoPlus, ‘swift’ is more than just a word; it’s a mission. Welcome to our portfolio CitoPlus!
