Adro, a fintech company based in New York, has secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to address the financial challenges faced by international students and workers upon arrival in the United States. The funding round was led by Era, with participation from Ex Nihilo Ventures and the Cornell Tech Syndicate. Without a Social Security Number or established credit history in the U.S., newcomers often struggle to access basic banking services, making it difficult to manage finances, secure housing, and cover living expenses.
Amarildo Gjondrekaj, CEO and Co-founder of Adro, emphasized the company's mission, stating, 'We're giving students the financial tools they need to get settled in, and making it accessible the moment they get off the plane.' Adro plans to offer checking and savings accounts, debit and credit cards, and partial reimbursement for international money transfers. Additionally, the platform will enable customers to start building credit from their arrival date in the U.S. Through partnerships with university student services and international student offices, Adro aims to provide comprehensive educational resources to improve financial literacy and prevent scams.
'In increasing access to banking services for a hugely underserved market, Adro has the potential to make a real impact on people's lives,' said Jasper Lau, CEO at Era. 'When financial literacy increases, everyone wins. We look forward to supporting Adro as they scale.' The funding will be used to scale Adro's engineering team and accelerate the development of the platform. Adro will operate in all states and districts in the U.S. at launch, and interested individuals can join the waitlist at https://www.joinadro.com.
This development matters because it tackles a significant systemic barrier for international students and workers, who contribute substantially to the U.S. economy and academic institutions but face immediate financial exclusion upon arrival. The inability to open bank accounts, obtain credit cards, or transfer money efficiently creates unnecessary stress and financial vulnerability during a critical transition period. By providing tailored banking solutions from day one, Adro could reduce predatory lending practices and scams that often target this population due to their limited financial options.
The implications extend beyond individual convenience, potentially influencing broader economic and social integration. Easier access to banking could help international students and workers participate more fully in the U.S. economy, from renting apartments to building credit histories that support long-term financial stability. Furthermore, by partnering with universities to offer financial literacy resources, Adro addresses educational gaps that can lead to debt or exploitation. As fintech solutions increasingly focus on underserved communities, Adro's approach highlights how targeted innovation can fill critical gaps in traditional banking systems, offering a model that could be replicated for other marginalized groups facing similar barriers.
