invest in fairness.
iStash is building a financial ecosystem where everyone wins: merchants, users, and communities.
We are currently seeking aligned partners, investors, and grant organizations that share our belief in equitable, sustainable finance.
Join us in changing the way money moves.
THe problem
Every time a credit card is swiped, small businesses lose up to 4 percent of the sale to processing fees.
That adds up to billions of dollars every year leaving local economies and going straight to large financial institutions.
Meanwhile, consumers receive confusing, delayed reward systems that rarely benefit them in real time.
The system is outdated, inequitable, and built to serve the few, not the many.
tHE OPPORTUNITY
Digital payments are evolving fast, but fairness has been left behind.
istash captures this opportunity by turning transaction costs into instant, shared value.
Our platform aligns profit with purpose, empowering both merchants and consumers to thrive.
Our Solution
Our Solution
istash replaces credit card fees with instant cashback.
We give merchants control over their costs and reward users immediately for supporting local businesses.
Our model creates a closed loop of value: merchants save money, customers earn money, and communities keep money circulating locally.
It’s not just payments. It’s economic empowerment at scale.
istash launched its beta in 2025 and has already onboarded 30+ local businesses, with over 1,500 users in its initial Chicago test market. Our early data shows a 22% increase in repeat customer visits for participating merchants.
Early
Traction
Integrated with Plaid for secure bank connectivity.
Supported by local business development networks and community accelerators.
Collaborating with university and fintech incubators for research and growth support.
Strategic
Partners
recognition
istash has been featured in Built In Chicago, Startup Weekly, and Fintech Insider as one of the emerging platforms redefining fair payments.
How We Make Money
istash earns a small transaction fee from participating merchants.
This allows users to earn cashback without added costs, and merchants still save compared to traditional payment processing.
The model is sustainable, scalable, and designed for long-term community impact.
Social Impact
We believe doing good should be built into the transaction, not added after the fact.
istash exists to make fairness profitable.
Every transaction supports small businesses, keeps profits local, and strengthens community wealth.
up to 4%
saved per transaction
$10M
potential community impact per 10K active users
20+
local merchants onboarded
Use of Funds
Every dollar raised helps us create a fairer financial future.
Funding will accelerate istash’s growth through:
Technology Development – Expanding backend infrastructure and app functionality.
Merchant Network Expansion – Growing partnerships across key U.S. cities.
User Acquisition – Strategic marketing and referral campaigns.
Team Growth – Hiring engineering, product, and marketing talent to scale operations.
Meet the Founder
Farah Adil
A journalist turned fintech innovator, Farah founded istash to bring equity and transparency to finance.
Her leadership combines investigative insight, community advocacy, and a relentless belief that fairness and innovation belong together.
JOIN the MOVEMENT
We are actively seeking partners, angel investors, and grant funders who share our mission to make finance fair for all.
For funding inquiries, please contact invest@istash.app