Wise

Kristo Käärmann is the Estonian-born entrepreneur and co-founder of Wise (formerly TransferWise), one of Europe’s most successful fintech companies. Educated at the University of Tartu and the University of Tartu School of Economics, Käärmann began his career as a management consultant, working with Deloitte and PwC, where he advised financial institutions on technology and operations.

In 2011, after personally experiencing the frustration and cost of transferring money between the UK and Estonia, he joined forces with fellow Estonian Taavet Hinrikus, Skype’s first employee, to create a smarter alternative. Together, they launched TransferWise, using a peer-to-peer system that matched users sending money in opposite directions, effectively bypassing traditional banking fees. The company’s mission — to make international money transfers fast, fair, and transparent — resonated with consumers worldwide.

Under Käärmann’s leadership as CEO, Wise expanded into multi-currency accounts, business payments and debit cards, while maintaining a focus on simplicity and trust. In 2021, Wise became one of the first major fintechs to go public via a direct listing on the London Stock Exchange, valued at more than £8bn. Käärmann continues to champion transparency and efficiency in financial services, driving Wise’s mission to build a borderless, accessible global payments network. Today, Wise serves millions of customers and businesses in over 170 countries, standing as a testament to Käärmann’s vision of using technology to make finance fairer and more human.