IYU

What IYU does

IYU Europe SAS is a French payment institution headquartered in Paris (7 Rue Debelleyme, 75003) and authorized by the ACPR under number 17798W since 29 July 2024, providing cross-border money transfer services between Europe and more than 20 destination countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The company targets African, Asian, and Latin American diaspora and expatriate communities in Europe, as well as legal entities (companies, NGOs, importers/exporters) requiring traceable cross-border payments, and correspondent financial institutions in destination markets. The core product is a cloud-based platform delivered via a web application (app.iyu.plus) and native mobile apps on iOS and Android, enabling card and bank-transfer-based transfers, real-time tracking, payment account management, and bidirectional flows (Europe to home country and home country to Europe) with no stated upper limit. Underlying technology includes a PaaS architecture designed to interoperate with correspondent bank systems across the IYU network (BMS, NSIA, BHCI, BNDA, Cofina, Express Union, BHS, BDC, BNM, BIAT, with Coris Bank and BPI coming soon) and an integrated LCB-FT compliance framework supervised by Banque de France.

The business model is transaction-based: IYU earns money through per-transfer fees and currency exchange spreads, with fees and rates disclosed to the customer before transfer confirmation. The company monetizes its infrastructure through three go-to-market channels: (1) direct-to-consumer via web app, mobile app, and the Paris 18e IYU branch plus approved payment agents (BMS France, Cofina, BNDA Paris, Express Union France, BIAT France, BHS France); (2) event-driven community engagement, including diaspora association meetings and industry events such as SIAP 2026; and (3) a B2B2C PaaS offering providing correspondent banks with cloud infrastructure, integrated compliance, and access to qualified diaspora customers. Share capital is €500,000 and the company is privately held, currently broadening its investor base through an equity crowdfunding campaign on CrowdCube. The company is GDPR-compliant, is a member of AFEPAME, and operates a registered DPO function ([email protected]).

Name

IYU

Legal name

IYU Europe SAS

Website

https://iyu.plus

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IYU Europe SAS is a French ACPR-authorized payment institution providing cross-border money transfer services for diaspora and expatriate communities between Europe and 20+ countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America via a cloud-based web and mobile platform connected to a network of correspondent banks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cross-border Money Transfers / Remittances

NAICS

Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320)

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer Remittances (P2P) (FSAMAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

SME & Business Cross-Border Payments (B2B) (FSAMAIAB), Multi-Currency Accounts, Wallets & IBAN Services (FSAMAIAG), Cross-Border & FX Payments Platforms (BPAMAFAK)

Keywords

• Cross-border payments
• International money transfers
• Remittance services
• Diaspora banking
• Payment institution

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Transaction/Money Transfer Fees: IYU charges fees for money transfer services. The conditions tarifaires (pricing conditions) are available on the app, website, in agencies, and at payment agents. Fees and exchange rates are displayed transparently before transfer confirmation. The company has offered promotional periods with zero fees for transfers to certain networks (e.g., Express Union promotional offer).
2. Currency Exchange Spread: IYU converts currencies according to current exchange rates communicated to customers. The exchange rate policy is stated to be comparable to other organizations offering similar services. Revenue is generated through the spread between the rate offered and the interbank rate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IYU is an ACPR-authorized payment institution operating a cloud-based cross-border money transfer platform for diaspora and expatriate communities between France and partner countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Users can send, receive, pay, and save money without upper limits, in both directions (EU ↔ home country), through a web application, native iOS/Android mobile apps, company-owned Paris-region branches, and an approved payment agent network. For correspondent banks, IYU additionally offers a B2B Payment-as-a-Service (PaaS) platform providing compliant cross-border payment infrastructure and diaspora customer access.

Product overview

IYU is a unified digital financial platform operated by IYU Europe SAS, a payment institution regulated by the ACPR (authorisation number 17798W). The core product is the IYU Application — available as both a web platform and native mobile apps for iOS and Android — which enables diaspora and expatriate users to send, receive, pay, transfer, and save money without limits between Europe and partner countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Physical access is supplemented by a network of IYU-owned branches and approved payment agents across the Paris region. For financial institution partners, IYU offers a separate PaaS (Payment-as-a-Service) platform, IYU PaaS for Banks, which provides correspondent banks with cloud infrastructure, integrated LCB-FT compliance, and direct access to diaspora customer segments — effectively extending IYU's technical and regulatory capabilities to partner banks as a white-label or API-driven B2B service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IYU Application (Web & Mobile) Digital-first international money transfer platform available as a web application (app.iyu.plus) and native mobile apps for iOS and Android. Enables users to send and receive money, make bank transfers, pay by credit card, and track transactions in real time between France and partner countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with no upper transfer limit.
• IYU Agency Network & Payment Agent Services Network of IYU-owned physical branches and approved payment agent locations (including BMS France, Cofina, BNDA Paris, Express Union France, BIAT France, BHS France) across the Paris region enabling cash deposits, cash withdrawals, in-person transfers, and personalized customer support.
• IYU PaaS for Banks B2B Payment-as-a-Service (PaaS) platform enabling correspondent banks in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to offer compliant cross-border payment services to their diaspora customers in Europe. Provides cloud-based technical infrastructure, integrated LCB-FT compliance framework, and access to qualified diaspora customer data through European open banking connectivity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Transparent pricing - fees and exchange rates displayed before transfer confirmation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration16 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• BMS S.A. (Banque Malienne de Solidarité)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBMS is a bank specializing in microfinance for small entrepreneurs and economic agents, created in 2002. Partnership enables IYU to serve Mali corridor with cash deposits, withdrawals, and account funding services. BMS France operates branches in Paris (Amandiers) and Montreuil as IYU approved payment agents.
• NSIA (Ivory Coast)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNSIA provides individuals and the diaspora with high-quality banking and insurance services, including savings, property financing, and remote solutions. Serves Ivory Coast diaspora corridor through IYU platform.
• BHCI (Banque de l'Habitat de Côte d'Ivoire)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBHCI is a financial institution whose main mission is to finance real estate in Ivory Coast. Partnership enables property-related diaspora financial services and transfers to Ivory Coast.
• BNDA (Banque Nationale de Développement Agricole, Mali)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBNDA is the leading bank in the rural world and also supports trade and industry with comprehensive banking services. Partnership enables Mali agricultural and rural diaspora corridor services.
• CAMIDE / Bɛnso Jamanun (Mali)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThrough its Bɛnso Jamanun network, CAMIDE offers savings and loans tailored to rural areas, promoting financial independence and local development in Mali.
• BDC (Banque de Développement des Comores)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanque de développement des Comores has been financing investment in the Comoros for 30 years. Through its partnership with IYU, it facilitates transfers and secure banking services for the Comorian diaspora.
• BNM (Banque Nationale de Mauritanie)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCreated in 1989, BNM has become a major player in the Mauritanian banking sector with operations focused on geographical and commercial proximity to ensure accessibility, speed, and efficiency.
• Cofina (Ivory Coast, Senegal, Gabon, Mali, Togo)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCofina Group, created in 2013, aims to be the 1st pan-African mesofinance institution. The Group has developed expertise in inclusive finance supporting SMEs and individuals with financing tailored to African realities. Services include money transfer, receipt, Yako insurance, cash deposits, and withdrawals.
• Express Union (Cameroon, Gabon, Chad, DRC, CAR, Congo-Brazzaville)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpress Union is a financial company incorporated under Cameroonian law, set up in 1997 and specializing in sending money to West and Central Africa. It is now the market leader in this segment. Partnership enables Central Africa corridor services with cash withdrawals and wallet options.
• BHS (Banque de l'Habitat du Sénégal)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded in 1979, BHS began financing home ownership with focus on social housing. Has designed the Diaspora Pack enabling customers living abroad to access savings, solidarity insurance, preferential mortgage rates, and free online banking. Launched in Senegal April 2025, with BHS France agency launched September 2025.
• BIAT (Tunisia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBIAT is a universal bank and key player in Tunisia, now a solid banking group with subsidiaries in insurance, asset management, private equity, stock market intermediation and consultancy. Partnership enables Tunisia corridor with BIAT France agency in Paris.
• CORIS BANK (Burkina Faso)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoris Bank supports individuals and businesses with financial services tailored to regional economic development. Available soon according to IYU correspondent page.
• BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe largest bank in the Philippines, BPI offers innovative financial services and facilitates international transfers for Filipinos all over the world. Available soon according to IYU correspondent page.
• ACPR/Banque de FrancecoreOthersIYU is authorized and supervised by the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel (ACPR) under number 17798W as a payment institution. This regulatory relationship enables IYU's legitimate operation and provides trust signal for customers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Thunes: B2B cross-border payments network enabling payouts to mobile wallets, bank accounts, and cash agents across emerging markets including Africa and Asia. Comparable as infrastructure layer for diaspora remittance and an emerging alternative to bank correspondent models.
• Onafriq (formerly MFS Africa): Pan-African digital payments network connecting mobile wallets across 40+ African countries. Comparable as a B2B/B2B2C infrastructure layer for cross-border Africa payments, potentially a partner or competitor to IYU's PaaS offering.

Direct peers

• Remitly: US-based digital remittance platform with a strong EU presence and dedicated Africa-to-Europe corridors. Comparable as a regulated, mobile-first diaspora remitter with similar customer segments and pricing transparency emphasis.
• Lemfi (Chipper Cash): Africa-focused diaspora remittance fintech (formerly Lemfi, acquired by Chipper Cash) with strong Europe-to-Nigeria/Ghana/Kenya corridors. Direct competitor in the same European-Africa diaspora remittance category.
• Taptap Send: Mobile-first remittance app targeting diaspora corridors including West/Central Africa. Direct competitor with very similar zero/low-fee positioning and digital-only distribution approach.
• WorldRemit: UK-headquartered digital cross-border remittance platform serving diaspora customers globally, including strong Africa↔Europe corridors. Closest comparable in business model: regulated digital-first remittances with extensive correspondent payout network and mobile-first UX.

Broad incumbents

• MoneyGram: Long-established global remittance incumbent with significant Africa and Asian corridor presence. Direct overlap in customer segments and corridors but at vastly larger scale.
• Western Union: Global incumbent in cross-border money transfer with deep Africa payout network via bank and agent partnerships. Competes with IYU across virtually every corridor but offers a much broader retail/agent footprint and brand.
• Wise (TransferWise): UK-regulated cross-border payment institution offering multi-currency accounts and FX transfers globally. Comparable as a regulated European payment institution with transparent pricing and mid-market FX, though focused on bank-account-based flows rather than cash-pickup.

Regional players

• Orange Money: Mobile money service from Orange operating across francophone West/Central Africa with strong diaspora remittance features. Directly competes in IYU's core West/Central African corridors via mobile wallet payouts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iyuplus
• Facebookfacebook.com/61569500852057
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iyuplus
• Instagraminstagram.com/iyuplus

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IYU