Chocolate Finance secures US$15m Series A+ funding, eyes expansion to HK

Singapore-based financial company Chocolate Finance has closed a US$15 million Series A+ funding round and is looking to expand to Hong Kong.  

The concluded Series A+ funding round was led by Nikko Asset Management, with strong participation from returning investors Peak XV, Prosus, Saison Capital, as well as Chocolate Finance’s founder Walter de Oude.  

This substantial financial investment, secured at a time when capital markets are highly competitive, will enable Chocolate Finance to scale responsibly while keeping customers at the core of every innovation. 

In tandem with the funding news, Chocolate Finance has also received regulatory approval to operate in Hong Kong. This significant regulatory approval marks a critical step in Chocolate Finance’s regional growth strategy, enabling the company to soon serve users in one of Asia’s most dynamic financial hubs. This expansion reflects its ambition to provide an alternative platform for consumers to grow their idle cash, often left in low interest accounts, into ‘happy money’. 

Speaking exclusively to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, founder Walter de Oude (pictured) described Hong Kong as a global financial epicenter with a deep culture of investing and a digitally savvy population constantly seeking better, faster ways to grow their money.

“But more than that, we saw a gap – between what traditional financial products offer and what people actually want today: simplicity, transparency, and joy in the process. In other words, happy money. Chocolate was built to fill that gap,” he said. 

Rather than offering another complex financial product, Chocolate Finance aims to become the default destination for spare or ‘lazy’ cash, offering a seamless and rewarding experience from day one, said Oude. “Hong Kong shares that energy. It's fast-moving, future-focused, and full of people who appreciate good design and good returns. That’s our kind of place.” 

Local leadership for local success

Chocolate Finance’s Hong Kong operations will be led by Timothy Jones, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in both traditional and digital finance. Jones previously held senior roles at Aviva across Asia and Europe and most recently served as CEO and co-founder of Teyk, an SFC-licensed retail savings and investment platform.

“Jones' experience of institutional rigour and fintech execution, makes him the ideal candidate to lead Chocolate’s expansion in a market as sophisticated as Hong Kong. We're pairing local leadership with regional support to stay nimble and human at the same time," said Oude.

Navigating the new market 

Acknowledging the competitive landscape in Hong Kong, de Oude emphasised what sets Chocolate Finance apart: radical simplicity. “What you see is what you get. No hoops, super simple, happy returns.” 

“We will stand out by not acting like a traditional finance brand. We speak like a friend, we design for real life, and we obsess over making every moment – from sign-up to seeing your returns – feel satisfying, easy and happy,” he added.  

“People don’t need more complex tools. They need clarity, consistency, and confidence. That’s what we offer. In a sea of sameness and complexity, our simplicity stands out.” 

Chocolate’s strategy is to learn from global behaviors, adapt to local nuances, and execute with maximum efficiency, he said. “We move fast, but we build smart. Every market entry is deliberate, lean, and designed to scale without waste.” 

In Hong Kong, he anticipates a similar demand for truly simple financial solutions. “We won’t be copy-pasting our Singapore playbook because Hong Kong has its own rhythm. Factors such as different regulations, culture, and a strong appetite for things such as USD-denominated products will shape the way that we operate in Hong Kong.” 

The brand is also looking to tap into the younger generation in Hong Kong, said Oude. “They’re not just digitally native—they’re financially curious, values-driven, and unafraid to try something new. They care about how their money grows, not just the final number.” 

He said chocolate gives young audience a fresh alternative to traditional savings or investing—without needing a degree in finance. “We’ve seen strong traction with this group in Singapore, and we believe Hong Kong’s next.” 

Looking ahead 

With the completion of its Series A+ funding, Chocolate Finance is also actively looking to expand to other markets, where consumers are tired of jumping through hoops just to make their idle cash work harder, said Oude. 

“They’re not looking for more complexity - they’re looking for a better default. Something simple, consistent, and rewarding from day one. That’s where Chocolate fits in."

When the company does eventually expand, Oude said it wants to do it with the same clarity and reliability it’s built into the product elsewhere. “We’re moving with purpose, not speed. We want to earn trust in each market before we expand further,” he added. 

But of course, one cannot neglect the fact that clients are becoming more prudent in terms of spending during economic uncertainties, so referrals are huge for the brand, said Oude.  

“Channels that build genuine connections and build community with our happy customers enable us to create a supportive environment where our users (our most valuable asset) feel heard, valued, and empowered to share their positive experiences.” 

“This is a very powerful growth engine, which is why we’re launching a limited-time Double Referral Programme in Singapore to incentivise and also appreciate our loyal users in lieu of Chocolate’s very special first birthday. We want to deepen meaningful engagements and turn our customers into true brand advocates."

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