Sharesies Australia

Sharesies Australia is the Australian arm of a New Zealand-founded micro-investing platform designed to make investing more accessible. The company was established in 2017 by six co-founders: Brooke Roberts, Leighton Roberts, Sonya Williams, Ben Crotty, Richard Clark, and Martyn Smith. The founders, from backgrounds in finance, technology, and marketing, aimed to address the barriers of high costs and complexity that prevented many from entering the investment world. The initial idea was sparked by conversations around making investing in anything other than property more attainable for everyday people, particularly those who felt priced out of the market. After launching in New Zealand and gaining significant traction, Sharesies expanded its services to Australia in 2021, allowing users to trade on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

The platform's core service is providing access to over 8,400 companies and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) across Australian, New Zealand (NZX), and US markets (NASDAQ, NYSE, CBOE). Its unique selling proposition is fractional investing, which allows individuals to buy a small portion of a share with no minimum investment, starting from as little as one cent. This model targets new and small-scale investors who may not have the capital for whole shares of high-priced companies. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, with features like auto-invest and round-ups to encourage regular investment habits. Sharesies operates on a custodian model, meaning it holds the shares in a trust on behalf of the investor, who remains the beneficial owner.

Revenue is generated through a multi-faceted fee structure. The primary model is a 'pay-as-you-go' transaction fee of 1.9% on buy and sell orders, with a cap depending on the market. Alternatively, users can opt for monthly subscription plans which cover transaction fees up to certain limits. The company also earns money from currency exchange fees for international trades, interest on funds held in user wallets, and fees for transferring shares to other brokers. As a certified B Corporation, Sharesies emphasizes using business as a force for good, aiming to create a positive impact on its customers and the community.

Keywords: fractional investing, micro-investing, share trading platform, Australian Securities Exchange, US stocks, New Zealand Exchange, ETFs, financial empowerment, beginner investors, low-cost brokerage, wealth development, auto-invest, investment app, B Corp, fintech, retail investment, portfolio management, accessible investing, share ownership, long-term investing