Today in the Connected Economy: Equifax Partners With Vehicle Subscription Service Autonomy

Today in the connected economy, vehicle subscription service Autonomy partners with Equifax to use the credit bureau’s technology to let customers subscribe using their smartphones.

Also, the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) and MoneyGram International Inc. (MG) have teamed up with Techstars to launch a mentorship program for Latin American FinTechs, and French InsurTech +Simple acquires three companies following a $98.2 million funding round.

Vehicle Subscription Firm Autonomy Teams Up With Equifax

Digital vehicle subscription service Autonomy is working with Equifax to use the credit bureau’s InstaTouch identity and authentication tool, which will let customers subscribe using their smartphones.

The collaboration allows customers to  subscribe in as fast as 10 minutes and follows Autonomy’s launch in January, when it unveiled its Tesla subscription program in California.

“Consistent with our mission to deliver the cheapest, fastest and easiest way to get a Tesla Model 3, and to make access to electric vehicles easy and affordable, Equifax has enabled us to deliver on a 100% mobile and digital experience for consumers in 10 minutes,” said Scott Painter, CEO and founder of Autonomy.

MoneyGram, Stellar Foundation Team with Techstars on a LatAm Blockchain Accelerator

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) and MoneyGram International Inc. (MG) have launched a partnership with Techstars to create a mentorship program aimed at Latin America’s financial system.

The companies have launched a startup accelerator program designed to focus on building solutions for a more inclusive and accessible financial system in Latin America.

The three-year initiative will choose up to a dozen FinTech startups for a 13-week immersion program, where they’ll work with mentors from the three companies. Following each class, participants present their progress and vision to a group of FinTech investors and stakeholders.

French InsurTech +Simple Snags $98M for Expansion, Consolidation

French InsurTech +Simple has raised $98.2 million and acquired three European companies to expand its platform.

The company said the funding will be used to fuel its continued expansion and help it consolidate the insurance industry across Europe.

With that in mind, +Simple has acquired three companies to bolster their presence in specific industries: French firm Alians, German firm Carl Rieck Assecuradeur and Italian underwriting agency Marintec.