Boost for solar energy financing fintech Smart Ease when Tim Reed joins – pv magazine Australia
Fintech Smart Ease, which helps organizations finance solar panels and battery installation, has announced that the current President of the Business Council of Australia, Tim Reed, has joined as an investor and will lead the company’s advisory board.
Smart Ease, a fintech that helps organizations fund smart and energy-efficient technologies such as solar panels and batteries, is pleased to announce that Australian business leader Tim Reed has joined the business as an investor and will lead the company’s advisory board.
Smart Ease’s digital platform approves funding applications in minutes and is used by dozens of channel partners, including major retailers Origin, Energy Australia and AGL. To date, Smart Ease has funded over $ 250 million in transactions in Australia and New Zealand for various organizations, including large corporations, schools, governments and community organizations, and plans to increase this to over $ 1 billion in transactions over the next five years.
Reed is currently President of the Business Council of Australia and CEO of the private equity firm Potentia. He was previously CEO of MYOB from 2003 to 2019.
Reed said he was attracted to the Smart Ease business by the problems it solves. “I like a technology company that helps companies achieve better results, and the economics of the Smart Ease solution are compelling,” he said.
“Smart Ease enables tools, including the major electricity retailers, to easily and quickly finance customers’ solar and battery needs, through invoice financing.
“As energy costs increase, this gives organizations access to cheaper and cleaner energy and avoids capital expenditures in advance. Smart Ease will therefore help companies reduce energy costs and the carbon footprint at the same time.
“Smart Ease is well positioned to help organizations accelerate their decarbonization programs,” Reed said. “Even just in terms of battery and solar energy, the investment required will be in the billions. Smart Ease is ready to ride a wave of growth as organizations struggle with rising energy costs and begin planning the transition to net zero emissions.”
Reed was also impressed with Smart Ease’s experienced team, led by founders Guy Olian and Rob Williams. “Smart Ease is run by a great team that is experienced in this market and has proven its ability to drive this unique idea and develop it,” said Reed.
Guy Olian, CEO, said the startup had found strong and growing demand for the fintech solution. “Globally, we are in the early stages of a huge investment phase to move towards more sustainable technologies,” said Olian.
“Smart Ease is focused on helping organizations decarbonise and digitize operations. We have established strong ties with key players in the energy and smart technology market, and we are ready to grow the business.
“We are pleased to have Tim’s support and guidance. We will continue to work together to make it easier for organizations to adopt energy-efficient and smart technologies, including solar energy,” said Olian.
