A local financial technology company has scooped a prestigious international award, adding to its list of honours on the global stage in the past 12 months.
Securely Group, a Noosa-based company founded in 2020 by local businessman Rob Neely, claimed Best Startup Innovation at the 2025 MPE (Merchant Payment Ecosystem) Awards in Germany in March.
Out of hundreds of nominations from across Europe and beyond, Securely was one of 12 global fintech startups invited to attend the awards in Berlin.
It comes after Mr Neely was last year recognised with accolades including Innovator of the Year at the 2024 US Fintech Awards in New York, Fintech Innovation Business Leader of the Year (APAC) by CEO Monthly magazine and being a finalist for 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year at the ARN Innovation Awards.
Like stories about Sunshine Coast people doing great things? Help us deliver more by registering for our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your email at the bottom of this article.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that an Aussie startup from Noosa Heads can come to Europe, stand toe-to-toe with the biggest players in global payments and take home the top prize,” Mr Neely said.

“Winning Best Startup Innovation at MPE 2025 proves that world-class fintech can come from anywhere – and Securely is just getting started.
“This is a win not just for us, but for Australian innovation on the global stage.”
Over the past four years, Securely has engineered one of the world’s most advanced banking payment rails, which is protected by three patents in digital identity.
It was hailed at the Berlin event as “the next PayPal”.
A media release said Securely was in 35 discussions about licensing across the USA, Europe, Africa, Asia and India, where it is engaging directly with the Reserve Bank of India.
It is aiming for a Nasdaq listing in early 2026.