A new Russian startup — yes, Russian — is promising microloans (or at least microloan approvals) in just 45 seconds.
But it appears that Zaimionline.ru, which is now seeking more funding to go with its seed round, is going to have a tough time raising money from Western VCs because of the Russian invasion of Crimea.
Zaimionline.ru offers loans of up to 15,000 rubles (about $415) and bills itself as the Russian Wonga. That may not be particularly helpful to American readers, but Wonga is a UK-based payday lender, which gives hints as to Zaimionline’s strategy. Wonga offers “cash deposits within minutes and loans are available up to £750, for between five and 30 days.”
A slider tool on the Zaimionline homepage allows users to choose loan amounts and terms, and see how much they will ultimately owe. 95% of loans are approved and loans are consider around the clock, according to the company. Borrowers need to be Russian citizens 18 or older with an email address, working mobile phone, and debit card. This last point is interesting — borrowers must have bank accounts with at least 10 rubles (about $0.28) in them.
Can Zaimionline.ru raise more funding? The company received $300,000 in seed funding from London-based EuroVision Investments Inc. in February 2013, but that was before the Russian invasion. There is obviously a lot going on in Russia now, and the country may be entering pariah status after invading Crimea and more recently, announcing plans to annex the peninsula from neighboring Ukraine. Bank Innovation approached three venture capitalists, asking how Russian investments were viewed today. One VC’s response: “That’s a tough one.”
President Obama may be thinking the same thing.