> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://entrepreneurplus.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # VibePay - URL: https://entrepreneurplus.co.uk/graveyard/vibepay/ - Published: 2026-10-21T11:11:41.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T11:30:09.000Z - Description: Open-banking account-to-account payments app; creditors' voluntary liquidation after a failed sale to Banked, Feb 2026 - Author: Editorial Desk - Tags: #ep-grave ✝ Startup · Creditors' voluntary liquidation · 24 February 2026 Open-banking account-to-account payments app; creditors' voluntary liquidation after a failed sale to Banked, Feb 2026 Companies House [11118944](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11118944?ref=entrepreneurplus.co.uk) · Liquidation How it ended Creditors' voluntary liquidation Ended 24 February 2026 Founded 2017 Sector Fintech Based in Elsewhere in the UK Funding raised Undisclosed Backed by Candy Ventures, Vela Technologies, Scott Fletcher, Vikkstar (Vikram Barn) Last known website [vibepay.com](https://vibepay.com/?ref=entrepreneurplus.co.uk) Last checked 21 October 2026 ## What happened VibePay was a Lancaster-founded payments app that let consumers, content creators and businesses pay and get paid directly from bank accounts using open banking, growing out of founder Luke Massie's earlier Vibe Tickets venture. Candy Ventures, Nick Candy's investment vehicle, was its largest shareholder. In 2025 Bank of America-backed Banked agreed to acquire the business, but the deal did not complete; reports linked the collapse of the sale to due-diligence findings, which neither party confirmed. Massie left as a director in December 2025 and the remaining investors ran a strategic review, after which they declined to commit further capital. Around 30 staff were made redundant during 2025 and a further ten shortly before the end. Shareholders passed a winding-up resolution on 24 February 2026 and creditors' voluntary liquidators from Begbies Traynor were appointed the same day. ## Why - Could not raise the next round - Governance / credibility ## What happened to the assets, customers and team Paul Appleton and Paul Cooper of BTG Begbies Traynor (London) LLP were appointed joint liquidators on 24 February 2026 by members and creditors. The business ceased trading; no buyer for the assets had been reported by April 2026. ## In their words > after exploring all available options, the board concluded that placing the business into liquidation was the only viable course of action. > > Spokesperson, Candy Ventures · [source](https://www.pymnts.com/business/2026/uk-fintechs-vibepay-and-smartlayer-close-down/?ref=entrepreneurplus.co.uk) > The findings were shared with key investors in January, who decided not to commit further capital. > > Spokesperson, Candy Ventures · [source](https://www.pymnts.com/business/2026/uk-fintechs-vibepay-and-smartlayer-close-down/?ref=entrepreneurplus.co.uk) ## Lessons A signed acquisition is not a closed one: VibePay's survival hinged on the Banked deal and there was no funded fallback when it fell through in diligence. Once the founder had gone and the lead investor's review found no case for more capital, the company had no runway left to seek another buyer. ## Sources 1. [find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11118944?ref=entrepreneurplus.co.uk) 2. [find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11118944/filing-history?ref=entrepreneurplus.co.uk) 3. [thegazette.co.uk](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/5065269?ref=entrepreneurplus.co.uk) 4. [tech.eu](https://tech.eu/2026/03/25/nick-candy-backed-fintech-vibepay-falls-into-liquidation-job-losses/?ref=entrepreneurplus.co.uk) 5. [pymnts.com](https://www.pymnts.com/business/2026/uk-fintechs-vibepay-and-smartlayer-close-down/?ref=entrepreneurplus.co.uk) 6. [crowdfundinsider.com](https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2026/04/270687-uk-fintech-vibepay-begins-liquidation-process-after-founders-departure/?ref=entrepreneurplus.co.uk) ✓ Verified by EP+ Every Graveyard entry is checked against Companies House and the sources above, and re-checked periodically. Spotted an error or a company that has been rescued? [Tell us](mailto:info@entrepreneurplus.co.uk?subject=Graveyard%20correction%3A%20VibePay). [← The Graveyard](https://entrepreneurplus.co.uk/graveyard/)