FlexFin: The FinTech Game Changer Acquired By Alpha Bank To Revolutionize Factoring

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 29, 2025

Alpha Bank has acquired 100% of FlexFin, a pioneering FinTech company that offers liquidity solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This strategic move aims to integrate FlexFin’s factoring operations with Alpha Bank’s ABC Factors, strengthening its presence in the factoring market.

FlexFin, founded in 2017 in Cyprus and later expanding to Greece, provides innovative factoring services, helping businesses quickly turn invoices into cash to cover daily expenses. The company serves SMEs in both Cyprus and Greece, focusing on a market that was previously overlooked by larger factoring firms.

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Co-founded by Dimitris Vranopoulos and Alexandros Kelaiditis, FlexFin has garnered support from over 45 investors, including the National Bank of Greece, RayCap, and IQBICITY. The company’s Greek subsidiary achieved a significant revenue increase, reporting €1.1 million in 2023, up from €568,000 in 2022.

FlexFin’s services, which help businesses obtain liquidity even when traditional loans are unavailable, fill a crucial gap in the market. The acquisition by Alpha Bank is expected to enhance the bank’s ability to provide comprehensive financial solutions for SMEs.

The company’s success is backed by a team of experienced leaders, including Vranopoulos, a former Goldman Sachs executive, and Kelaiditis, who has extensive experience in investment banking. FlexFin’s growth is set to continue under Alpha Bank’s ownership, offering more efficient and accessible funding solutions to SMEs.

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Solar Photovoltaics Drive Global Energy Demand: A Renewable Milestone

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 22, 2026

Solar Photovoltaics Lead The Charge

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems accounted for 27% of global energy demand growth in 2025, marking the first time a single renewable technology has led the increase. This compares with overall demand growth of 1.3% in 2025, 2% in 2024, and an average of 1.4% over the previous decade, highlighting the accelerating role of solar in the global energy mix.

Surpassing Traditional Energy Sources

Solar PV outpaced natural gas, which contributed 17% of the increase in energy demand. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), new solar installations added capacity equivalent to 600 terawatt-hours (TWh), bringing total solar generation to 2,700 TWh, or roughly 8% of global electricity production. This shift reflects growing reliance on renewable energy for power generation across major markets.

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Traditional Fuels Under Pressure

Demand for fossil fuels showed slower growth. Natural gas consumption rose by 1% in the first half of the year, compared to 2.8% in 2024. Oil demand increased by 0.7%, with additional daily consumption reaching 650,000 barrels, down from 750,000 in 2024 and well below pre-pandemic increases of around 1.4 million barrels per day. Part of this slowdown is linked to the substitution of cleaner energy sources. Electric vehicle sales rose by 20% in 2025, accounting for roughly one-quarter of the global market.

Mixed Trends In Coal Consumption And Emissions

Coal demand increased by 0.4%, reflecting diverging regional trends. China and India reduced coal use as renewable capacity expanded, while the United States increased coal consumption in response to higher electricity demand. Coal contributed around 9% to demand growth, similar to wind energy.

Global CO2 emissions from the power sector rose by approximately 0.4%. Emissions declined in China due to increased use of renewables and nuclear energy, while U.S. emissions increased alongside higher coal usage.

Record-Breaking European Renewable Production

Europe recorded strong growth in renewable generation in the first quarter of 2026. Solar output increased by 15%, marking the highest quarterly rise on record, while wind generation grew by 22% year over year. Total renewable production reached 384.9 TWh, supported by solar, wind, and hydroelectric output. These gains helped offset volatility in gas markets linked to geopolitical tensions, including developments involving Iran.

Looking Ahead

Renewables are taking a larger share of global energy demand growth, with solar PV at the center of this shift. Combined contributions from renewables, biofuels, and nuclear energy now account for roughly 60% of new demand, indicating continued structural change in the global energy system.

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