Ellis offers Ellis Money, an FDIC‑insured neobank that lets international students open checking accounts up to four months before arriving in the U.S., fund them via SWIFT or ACH, and use virtual or physical debit cards. The company is partnered with Blue Ridge Bank for checking account services and is launching Ellis Mobile, an MVNO built on T‑Mobile’s network, in May. Ellis also automates immigration paperwork (Social Security card applications, non‑resident tax filing, credit profile building, visa renewals, and work authorization petitions) from collected documents like passports and Form I‑20/DS‑2019. The team plans to build Ellis Rent, a co‑signer product underwritten with insurance partners to avoid upfront multi‑month rent payments, later this year. Founder Sampei Omichi started the company after his own experience moving to the U.S. and navigating banking, phone service, and visa processes. The company raised a seed round and is using the funding to hire product and engineering and to expand distribution via partnerships with international education agencies.

Total raised

$6M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Apr 2022