MOVERS & MAKERS 2018

Taaveet Hinrikus was earning euros working for Skype, an Estonian company, but living in London. Kristo Käärmann was earning pounds in London, but had a mortgage to pay in euros back in Estonia.

Sending money abroad every month would've been fraught with fees until the pair realized they could just trade without any money 'traveling' internationally. Hinrikus deposited euros in Käärmann's Estonian account and Käärmann deposited pounds in Hinrikus' London bank, all without international transfer fees or high commissions.

While the two knew they were lucky to have found each other, they realized there must be people all over the world in their situation who hadn't met. Together they founded Transferwise, so that anyone can pay and get paid like a local – wherever they do business.