Every day without innovation is a missed opportunity and a loss of market position
Growing Competition
With each level of scaling, competition increases exponentially.
From local to international markets - constant innovation is required.
Expensive Development
Building your own IT department and R&D requires millions in investment
with uncertain outcomes and a long payback period.
Speed of Change
While you spend 2-3 years developing a solution, the market moves ahead.
Competitors adopt innovations faster.
Types of Innovation
There are 2 main types of innovation
External Innovations (Product)
Changes that the customer sees and experiences. They directly improve the product or service.
Examples of improvements:
Quality The product became more reliable or better.
Price Lower cost for the customer.
Functionality New features that didn't exist before.
Speed Faster delivery or service performance.
Accessibility New sales channels, apps, 24/7 availability.
Compatibility Integration with other systems.
Goal: increase the value proposition and market competitiveness
Internal Innovations (Organizational)
Innovations within the company that the customer doesn't see directly.
Result: The company starts working faster, cheaper, and more efficiently.
Examples of changes:
New financial model.
Business process optimization.
Different planning format (e.g., OKR).
Implementation of management systems (CRM, ERP).
New execution standards.
Changes in customer service approach.
Goal: increase organizational efficiency and resilience
Comparing Approaches to Innovation Adoption
There are 3 main ways to implement innovation in a company
Build (In-house Development)
Internal R&D development
Implementation time:2-3 years
Cost:$1M - $5M+
Risk:Very high
Result:Capital expenditure (CapEx)
The longest and most expensive path. Requires hiring an R&D team, diverts resources from core business, and doesn't guarantee results. While you build, the market moves ahead.
Buy (Off-the-shelf Solutions)
Purchasing ready-made solutions
Implementation time:Days - Weeks
Cost:$1k - $100k+
Risk:Low
Result:Operating expenses (OpEx)
A quick fix for basic needs, but doesn't provide a competitive advantage. This software is available to all your competitors, and its customization is expensive.
Partner (Investment & Integration)
Investment and integration
Implementation time:3-6 months
Cost:$50k - $500k
Risk:Low (diversification)
Result:Growing asset
The fastest and most effective path to a unique advantage. You don't spend, you invest. Expenses turn into an asset with x2-x10+ growth potential.
Our effective innovation approach: Partner, not Build or Buy
Invest in startups, integrate innovations, scale your business
Why is "Partner" more profitable than "Build" or "Buy"?
Speed - ready startups are already working, no need to develop from scratch
Investment - startups become company assets, not expenses
Scaling - successful startups can be fully acquired
Risks - diversification through a portfolio of 10-20 startups
Expertise - Photon as venture fund operating partner handles selection and Due Diligence
Traditional Bank vs Innovative Bank
How a venture fund and startups transform the banking business
Traditional Bank
Classic model
BANK
Loans
Deposits
Cards
Transfers
Implementation speed2-3 years
InnovationMinimal
Capitalization growth3-5%
AdaptabilityLow
VS
Innovative Bank
Innovation ecosystem
🤖
AI Analytics
💳
Token Cards
📊
BI Systems
🔒
Cybersecurity
₿
Crypto Solutions
📱
eSIM + Banking
BANK
Loans • Deposits
Cards • Transfers + Innovation
💰
Implementation speed3-6 mo
InnovationContinuous
Capitalization growth30-50%
AdaptabilityHigh
⚠️ Traditional Approach
✗High IT department costs
✗Slow adaptation to changes
✗Losing customers due to outdated solutions
🚀 Innovative Approach
✓Investing in startups instead of expenses
✓Rapid deployment of ready-made solutions
✓Market leadership through innovation
Example: Implementing Innovation in Banking
Here is how the "Partner" model works in practice, turning a bank into a technology leader.
Bank
Innovation through startup partnerships
B2B Bank Platform
Showcase of innovative business solutions
📊
ERP Systems
Integration with automation startups
🖥️
POS Terminals
Next-generation smart checkout solutions
💼
HRM Platforms
HR management through innovative startups
📈
Business Analytics
BI systems from top startups
🚚
Logistics
Innovative supply chain solutions
Each solution is a ready startup
Fast integration into the bank's ecosystem
B2C Bank Platform
Innovative products for individuals
💳
Token Card
One card - all accounts and banks
🔑
Card as a Key
Access to hotels, homes, transport
📱
eSIM + Card
Phone number linked to bank card
₿
Crypto Integration
Cryptocurrency wallet linking
🤖
AI Analytics
AI-powered smart financial advisors
Startups as bank products
Ready-to-deploy innovations
Bank's Venture Fund
Investments in FinTech startups
"Partner" mechanism instead of "Build" or "Buy"
Invest in startups → Integrate into platforms → Scale
🚀
Startup Selection
Due Diligence and potential assessment
💰
Seed and Pre-A Rounds
Early-stage investments with maximum ROI
🔄
Integration
Rapid deployment into the bank's ecosystem
Gluon
White-label B2B solutions showcase Your brand, ready startups
afin
White-label token card Your brand, innovative product
Photon.
Operating partner of the bank's fund
Startups as Bank Products (Startups as a Product)
Each module in the Gluon and afin platforms is a separate startup integrated into the bank's ecosystem.
The bank's venture fund invests in these startups, helping them grow and scale within the banking platform.
Result: The bank receives a constant stream of innovations, capitalization growth through investments,
and competitive advantages without needing a massive IT department for developing niche products. The IT department's tasks in this case are directed toward solving strategic challenges, large-scale projects, and infrastructure issues.
What does the bank get?
🎨 White-label platforms - fully branded for the bank (Gluon for B2B and afin for B2C)
🏢 On-premise solutions - all data stored in the bank's infrastructure
📈 Capitalization growth - through a startup portfolio (x2-x10+ potential)
⚡ Rapid deployment - ready solutions instead of years of development
🔄 Continuous innovation - new startups regularly added to the ecosystem
Your company's scaling level and efficiency determine its value
Innovations create competitive advantages that drive efficiency growth and ultimately increase company value.
At the same time, with each stage of scaling, the level of competition grows, as does the need for frequent innovation adoption.
