Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

Scout is looking to make investing more fun, less intimidating, and educational for a younger audience through an easy-to-use app. As more Gen Zers and young people step into financial independence, how are fintech platforms helping them find their footing in the market?

With many Britons using the pandemic as a time to reassess their finances, they’ve been exploring ways to make their money work harder for them. Crowdcube's accessible interface and easy-to-understand language mean the platform is helping people become confident investors.

Research suggests that sustainable investment opportunities are increasingly necessary to secure long-term profitability. However, barriers such as education are preventing people from investing, leading to opportunities to help educate people to make investments towards a sustainable future.

Rising unemployment and ample time to spare led to a surge in stock trading among Gen Yers and older Gen Zers in 2020. Yet while the likes of Robinhood, Stash, and E*Trade have made it easy to participate in this once-opaque market, could simplified investing apps do more harm than good?