Our Journey: How UMushroom Went from Vision to Reality

Hey, it's us: UMushroom, your ultimate investment guide.

Today, we’d like to take you through our origin story.

It all started on a rainy evening in February 2019. Our founders, Luba Schöning and Tonia Zimmermann, sat together over a cozy dinner when they asked themselves the crucial question:  Why is investment advice so little fun? And more importantly, how can we change that?

The answer wasn’t far off. Our founders, with 25 years of experience in leadership roles—Luba at giants like Lehman Brothers and Credit Suisse, and Tonia at J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Credit Suisse—realized that the financial world needed a revolution. For too long, wealth management had been exclusive to the elite. They knew it was time for a change.

As Luba once said:

"Having a lot of money doesn’t mean you know how investing works.”

And knowing how investing works is key to navigating the world of finance. They were tired of banks keeping their knowledge to themselves and controlling the conversation. It was time to take matters into their own hands.

But why “UMushroom”?

The name came to life after our founders watched the Netflix movie “Fantastic Fungi.” They were fascinated by the magic of mushrooms—how they break down old structures and make space for new growth. That’s exactly what they wanted to achieve with UMushroom: breaking down old financial patterns and creating innovative new paths.

The Foundation: UMushroom Comes to Life

In November 2020, the time had finally come: UMushroom was officially founded. And what a start it was! We had a clear mission—to make the world of finance accessible to everyone. It wasn’t just about creating another finance product but starting a movement that included everyone. We wanted you, no matter where you are, to become part of a community that aims for financial success and freedom.

Even in today’s world of progress and technology, too many people struggle with limited financial resources. And that’s what we want to change. With UMushroom, we created a platform that helps you learn, share, and build wealth together, as a community.

Learn more about our vision and how you can become part of this revolution. Click here.

Overcoming Challenges: The Road to Success

But let’s be honest—our journey wasn’t always easy. Many told Luba and Tonia a B2C financial platform would never work. "Stick to B2B," they said. But our founders stayed true to their vision. And us? We’re proof they were right.

In August 2021, less than a year after our foundation UMushroom’s alpha version was launched. By October, we secured 2 million in seed funding. Since then, we’ve grown steadily, month by month, and our community continues to expand. The fire that was ignited on that rainy evening burns brighter than ever.

Our Culture: A Place Where Everyone Matters

UMushroom isn’t just about investing—it’s about people. Our founders created a culture of equality and learning. "We’re like mushrooms," Luba and Tonia often say. "We grow together, learn from each other, and build something new." There are no rigid hierarchies here. Instead, we are a community of foodies who love to share meals, laugh together, and inspire one another.

This culture of openness and collaboration is also reflected in our mission: investing and money should no longer be taboo topics. They should be approached with excitement and curiosity. Many on our team have started investing themselves through UMushroom and are experiencing the joy of learning and growing.

Our Mission: A New Era of Financial Freedom

And that’s what we aim to achieve: a world where financial education is accessible to everyone. We are proud to be part of the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem in Switzerland that pursues this goal. Our mission stays strong: we want to challenge the current conditions and build an inclusive global financial platform driven by modern technology.

Discover what UMushroom can do for you and explore the many opportunities our platform offers. Learn more.

The Journey Continues: Be Part of Our Story

We’re just getting started, and we couldn’t be more excited about the future. From an idea on a rainy evening to a platform that is transforming the financial world—this is the story of UMushroom. And it’s far from over.

Join us on this amazing journey. Stay connected, grow with us, and let’s shape a new era of financial freedom together.