Finvest vs Hey Telo

About

Finvest is a retail investing platform that democratizes US Treasury Bill investing for everyday Americans — providing a mobile app where users can purchase T-bills (yielding 5%+ in 2024) directly from the US Treasury through a streamlined process that previously required brokerage account setup and navigation of TreasuryDirect.gov's outdated interface. Founded in 2023 and a Y Combinator W23 graduate, Finvest raised $2.7 million from Bayhouse Capital and YC in January 2024, achieving $1 million in deposits within weeks of launching in December 2023.\n\nFinvest's platform makes the TreasuryDirect purchase process accessible to investors who find the government's own website confusing — the app guides users through T-bill selection (4-week, 8-week, 13-week, 26-week, 52-week maturities), provides plain-language explanations of T-bill mechanics (risk-free, US government backed, interest income state-tax exempt), and manages the purchase process with a 0.03% monthly management fee (very low compared to money market fund expense ratios). The yield-focused positioning is particularly relevant when rates are high and money market funds are competitive alternatives.\n\nIn 2025, Finvest competes with Public.com (T-bills and bonds investing), Jiko (T-bills integrated with banking), and traditional brokerage accounts (Fidelity, Schwab, where T-bills are available but not prominently featured) for the retail fixed income and cash management market. The high-yield savings and T-bill investing market grew dramatically in 2023-2024 as interest rates peaked and retail investors discovered that government securities paid more than savings accounts. As the Fed reduces rates in 2025, the relative attractiveness of T-bills vs. other savings instruments may shift. Finvest's 2025 strategy focuses on expanding the fixed income product lineup beyond T-bills (TIPS, corporate bonds, bond ETFs), growing through financial influencer and personal finance content channels, and building portfolio-level fixed income management tools.