Tandym announces platform launch and $60m in funding

By Edlyn Cardoza

Tandym is a first-to-market private-label credit card company that empowers merchants of any size to offer a branded digital credit card. Today, Tandym announced the launch of its platform alongside a $60 million funding raised: $10 million in equity financing and $50 million in debt financing. The equity round was led by Gradient Ventures, Google’s AI-focused venture fund, with participation from Obvious Ventures and other strategic partners. The $50 million debt financing round, led by Rivonia Road, will help Tandym meet its goals of expanding its merchant partner network.

Tandym’s innovative merchant-branded payments platform enables fast and seamless integration with any retailer, cuts processing fees up to 80%, and empowers merchants to convert processing cost savings into a compelling, turn-key loyalty program for their customers. For consumers, Tandym is the most rewarding way to pay: when using their merchant-branded card powered by Tandym, loyal customers earn 5% in rewards for future purchases at their favourite retailers.

“At Tandym, we are on a mission to help merchants grow their business,” said Jennifer Glaspie-Lundstrom, CEO and Co-Founder of Tandym. “We do this by democratizing access to private label card programs, which were previously only available for the nation’s largest retailers. With Tandym, merchants of any size can avoid expensive credit card processing fees that primarily serve to fund Big Bank loyalty programs. Tandym empowers merchants to instead fund their own loyalty programs for their customers with the savings.”

Tandym’s modern infrastructure is centred on reducing friction at checkout, lowering merchant costs, and improving the customer experience. The sophisticated underwriting systems at the centre of Tandym’s platform, powered by real-time data and machine learning, better manage credit risk while yielding high approval rates for purchases. The underwriting model also ensures consumers won’t see an impact on their credit when applying during checkout. The performance, however, is reported to the bureau, which has the benefit of helping consumers build or establish credit while supporting their favourite brands.

“The outdated processes and technology associated with private label credit often exclude smaller retailers and have historically proven themselves to be inefficient and costly,” said Zachary Bratun-Glennon, Partner at Gradient Ventures. “By making flexible, store-branded payment options more accessible, Tandym empowers merchants to increase their revenue while driving deeper customer loyalty and brand awareness.”

The funding will enable Tandym to expand its internal team and operations while raising awareness of its platform’s ability to help merchants strengthen their connections to the consumers they serve.