Technology company Yaspa establishes a tech hub in Leeds to fuel international expansion
Yaspa Expands to Leeds, Strengthening Presence in Regulated Markets
Yaspa, a UK-based fintech company specializing in payments and identity, has announced the opening of a new tech hub in Leeds. This move is part of the company's expansion strategy, aiming to establish a strong engineering team focused on the US market [1][2][3].
The Leeds hub, strategically located in a city known for its iGaming sector, aligns with Yaspa’s target market involving regulated businesses such as online gambling firms. David Turner, a senior software engineering leader with extensive experience from William Hill and other firms, has been appointed head of engineering to grow and lead the Leeds team [1][2][5].
The immediate goal is to hire a squad of mid to senior level engineers for the Leeds office, with plans to have two strong squads in place by the end of the year, initially dedicated to the US proposition [1][2][5]. The engineers will focus on building the US product for Yaspa.
Yaspa combines open banking technology with AI to deliver real-time bank payments paired with verified customer insights. This offering supports regulated sectors by enhancing compliance, responsible gambling, and payment optimization, which they plan to scale from Europe into the US market [1][2][4][5].
The company has grown from 15 to 70 people in the past 18 months and has recently secured an $12 million investment led by Discerning Capital to support this global expansion [1][2][3]. Yaspa's products are particularly beneficial for online gambling companies, helping them meet compliance requirements, facilitate responsible gambling, and optimize their customers' payments experience.
Yaspa is led by James Neville, who co-founded the company in 2017 and previously served as a chief technology officer at Worldpay. The office is a serviced office with stunning views of Leeds centre and is located near Leeds train station.
The presence in Leeds positions Yaspa in a key location to better access the European regulated gaming market, which is home to several major gambling companies such as Flutter Entertainment's Sky Betting & Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair, and Evoke’s William Hill brands [6]. David Turner is passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment for engineers, ensuring a positive work culture for the new team.
Yaspa is also an Event Partner of Open Banking Expo UK and Europe 2025, further demonstrating the company's commitment to innovation and growth in the fintech sector [4]. The tech hub will initially employ 10 senior software engineers, with plans to grow the team to 20 backend Java developers by the end of 2025.
In addition to the Leeds office, Yaspa currently serves partners in the UK and Europe and has incorporated a US entity in Atlanta, Georgia, with plans to open an office there [1]. The aim is to have a strong presence in both Europe and the US, positioning Yaspa as a leading player in the regulated payments and identity market.
References: [1] Yaspa Raises $12 Million to Expand in the US and Europe - TechCrunch (https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/15/yaspa-raises-12-million-to-expand-in-the-us-and-europe/) [2] Yaspa Secures $12 Million Investment to Support Global Expansion - FinSMEs (https://www.finsmes.com/2023/03/yaspa-secures-12-million-investment-to-support-global-expansion.html) [3] Yaspa Opens New Tech Hub in Leeds - BusinessCloud (https://www.businesscloud.co.uk/news/yaspa-opens-new-tech-hub-in-leeds/) [4] Yaspa Becomes Event Partner of Open Banking Expo UK and Europe 2025 - Open Banking Expo (https://www.openbankingexpo.com/news/yaspa-becomes-event-partner-of-open-banking-expo-uk-and-europe-2025/) [5] Yaspa's Expansion Strategy Involves Establishing a New Tech Hub in Leeds - Finextra (https://www.finextra.com/newsarticle/37555/yaspa-s-expansion-strategy-involves-establishing-a-new-tech-hub-in-leeds) [6] Leeds is Home to Several Major Gambling Companies - Gambling Insider (https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/leeds-is-home-to-several-major-gambling-companies/)
- Yaspa, a UK-based fintech company focusing on payments and identity, plans to scale its open banking technology and AI offerings from Europe into the US market, aiming to optimize payments and enhance compliance for regulated businesses.
- The fintech company, Yaspa, has announced the opening of a new tech hub in Leeds, a city aligned with its target market of regulated businesses such as online gambling firms, as part of its global expansion strategy.
- In the near future, Yaspa aims to have two strong squads of mid to senior level engineers in the Leeds office, focusing on building the US product for the company, which utilizes technology to deliver real-time bank payments and verified customer insights.
- The fintech sector, with Yaspa as a prominent player, continues to innovation-driven growth, as demonstrated by Yaspa's participation as an Event Partner of Open Banking Expo UK and Europe 2025.
- Yaspa is not only expanding in Europe but also has plans to open an office in Atlanta, Georgia, in the US, to establish a strong presence in the regulated payments and identity market, similar to its strategic location in Leeds near major global gambling companies.
