Juliana Castro, HKS '18, saw Latin America’s vast potential hindered by poverty and wealth inequality. Financial literacy and inclusion were sorely lacking. Determined to make a difference, she co-founded Coink, a fintech platform that breaks down barriers and fosters financial inclusion in Colombia through an engaging and accessible approach.

We recognized Coink’s innovative vision from the start. Coink redefined saving with “Oinks,” piggy banks that transform traditional banking into a fun, interactive experience. Located in universities, schools, metro stations, and shopping centers, these piggy banks connect to an app where users nurture a virtual avatar piggy pet. Saving becomes a game, where users bank, complete challenges, and reach milestones, making financial management engaging and motivating.

Launching Coink wasn’t easy. Investors were hesitant to back the untested concept, but the team’s perseverance paid off. Coink debuted in Bogotá, Colombia, expanding to 8 more cities within two years.

When Juliana joined the Accelerator, Coink had early traction but needed strategic guidance. With support from expert mentors, she and her team refined Coink’s approach, positioning the company for scale. Juliana credits the Accelerator with helping Coink secure an additional $3 million in funding, setting them up for future growth.

Today, Coink supports 300,000+ Colombians on their journey to financial security, with plans to expand to Mexico by 2025.

Juliana’s commitment shows that even the toughest challenges can be tackled with the right vision and approach.

Key Successes

• 300,000+ customers in Colombia

• Corporate banking and BaaS launch

• Expansion into Mexico (2025)

• Raised to date $6 million