7th July 2021

Hello,

Wise has seen its listing valued at £8bn, making it one of the biggest in London for over a decade.  The founders are set to earn a fortune, but with a significant portion of the business employee owned, 2000 staff will now be enjoying a payout of £400K.

Below is a comment from CEO and co-founder of Capdesk, Christian Gabriel, on how Wise’s float is a rock solid case study for employee equity including what this could mean for them and how this will boost the European tech ecosystem. Could we see a Wise Mafia?

Do let me know if you have any questions, or if you would be interested in a conversation with Christian on the benefits of employee equity for the wider economy.

Thanks

  

Christian Gabriel, CEO & Co-Founder at Capdesk says, "Wise remains at the heart of the London fintech boom, and its incredible success and growth has shaped the world-beating market we have today.  

“It's great that Wise has chosen to list here, and even better to learn that such a significant part of the business is employee-owned. At an £8bn valuation, the 10% worker share could mean a £800m payday divided among some 2000 staff. An average payout of £400,000 would be a life-changing amount for most people.

“The Wise IPO will strengthen the business case for employee equity as a performance-driver and promises to be a huge boost for the wider UK and European tech ecosystem. Keeping, growing and sharing the wealth of big tech successes here is exactly what’s needed to ensure the region stays globally competitive.  

“Employee equity is a powerful tool to attract, motivate and reward talent. What’s more, big equity paydays stimulate innovation, and benefit the wider economy, by injecting fresh startup capital into the market that creates new angel investors to fuel the next wave of founders – Wise itself is the product of Skype alumni.

“We hope to see this IPO prompt ‘Wise envy’, leading employees to fight for their fair share of equity.”