Aigars Kesenfelds
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Aigars Kesenfelds | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 3, 1983 |
| Education | Stockholm School of Economics in Riga |
Aigars Kesenfelds (born 2 November 1983) is a Latvian entrepreneur and investor, known for his contributions to the financial technology sector and various industries.[1] He is reported to be the owner of over 100 companies in Latvia,[2][3][4] ultimate beneficiary in Sun Finance[5] and owns large majority of shares in peer-to-peer lending marketplace Mintos, Mogo and a 43% stake in the Luxembourg-registered Eleving Group S.A.[6]
Early life
[edit]Kesenfelds was born into a family of Latvian businessman Ivars Kesenfelds. At the age of 19 Kesenfelds managed a family-owned cinema in Liepāja. He later studied at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, where he co-founded the payday loan company 4Finance in 2008.[7]
Business ventures
[edit]4Finance
[edit]In 2008, Kesenfelds co-founded 4Finance, a company specializing in short-term, high-interest loans under brands like Vivus.lv, SMSCredit.lv.[8] In 2013, 4Finance was sold to Russian billionaire Oleg Boyko for over €100 million.[9][10][11]
International expansion
[edit]After selling 4Finance, Kesenfelds diversified his investments, establishing or acquiring around 150 companies across 20+ countries, employing approximately 4,000 people. By 2019, these ventures reported a combined turnover of €384 million.[12]
Kenya
[edit]In Kenya, Kesenfelds own a digital lending business Zenka Finance which offers a mobile loan app offering short-term, unsecured loans that are instantly disbursed via mobile money platforms such as M-Pesa.[13][14]
Monego in Kosovo
[edit]Kesenfelds founded Monego, a financial institution in Kosovo, operating over 30 branches and serving 80,000+ customers. In December 2019, the Central Bank of Kosovo revoked Monego’s license due to concerns over high-interest rates. Kesenfelds contested the decision through legal channels.[15][16]
Investment activities
[edit]Kesenfelds is an angel investor, funding startups in exchange for equity.[17] He also owns 77% shares at Merito Partners SIA.[18][19]
Personal life
[edit]Kesenfelds maintains a low public profile, rarely engaging with the media. However, he has made public statements regarding Monego’s license revocation in Kosovo.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ "Aigars Kesenfelds, Merito Partners Sia: Profile and Biography". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "Kesenfelds Aigars | B2BHint". Kesenfelds Aigars | B2BHint. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "Re:Baltica profiles little-known Latvian entrepreneur, one of country's richest individuals". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "Aigars Kesenfelds – patiesais labuma guvējs vairāk nekā 100 uzņēmumos". blog.lursoft.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "AS SUN FINANCE GROUP Consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2023" (PDF).
- ^ "Eleving - Prospectus dated 20 September 2024" (PDF).
- ^ "The payday loan millionaire | Re:Baltica". Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "Experiences of Aigars Kesenfelds: Current and past positions - MarketScreener". uk.marketscreener.com. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "The payday loan millionaire | Re:Baltica". Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Geopost, The (2022-01-20). "The "King" of Quick Loans". The Geopost. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "Sanctioned Russian oligarch benefits from fast loans in North Macedonia". Telegrafi. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "The payday loan millionaire | Re:Baltica". Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Njanja, Annie (2022-03-24). "Digital lenders in Kenya must disclose source of funds as new law takes effect". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "Zenka Finance company information, funding & investors". ecosystem.brnoregion.com. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "Kesenfelds from Monego: The decision to withdraw the license was unexpected, we did not receive a warning from CBK". Telegrafi. 2020-01-14. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "Kesenfelds from Monego: The decision to withdraw the license was unexpected, we did not receive a warning from CBK". Telegrafi. 2020-01-14. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "Aigars Kesenfelds investment portfolio | PitchBook". pitchbook.com. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "About Us". Merito Partners. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "A. Kesenfeldam piederoši uzņēmumi izveidojuši meža nozares kreditēšanas kompāniju "Silva Finance"". liepajniekiem.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "The payday loan millionaire | Re:Baltica". Retrieved 2025-01-22.