Revenir was born from personal frustration. When friends and family visited me in London, they were eligible for VAT refunds—but the process was so clunky and convoluted that we barely saw a fraction of what we were owed. That experience opened my eyes to how inefficient, fragmented, and outdated global VAT systems really are. I realized there had to be a better way—so we built one.
Tell us about the business—what it is, what it aims to achieve, who you work with, how you reach customers, and so on.
Revenir is reengineering how Tax reclaim works for both international travellers and corporate clients. We’ve built a streamlined, tech-first platform to replace a process that’s traditionally been slow, manual, and riddled with paperwork. Instead of wrestling with bureaucracy and inconsistent tax rules, our users enjoy real-time claim tracking, smarter data validation, and faster payouts. Our core mission is to eliminate the complexity of VAT reclaims through automation, intelligence, and great UX. We work with global businesses, financial institutions, and tax authorities, offering both API and WebApp solutions that can plug seamlessly into existing systems. Revenir simplifies compliance across borders, unifying fragmented tax regulations into a single, intuitive platform. Whether you’re a multinational managing TAX across offices or a solo traveler filing a claim, we make it clear, fast, and efficient. And because regulations change, our platform evolves—helping users stay compliant without added hassle.
How has the business evolved since its launch?
Revenir’s journey began with a simple idea—and an even simpler product. Our very first version was just an email address where individuals could send their receipts. I reviewed them, calculated the VAT, and filed the claims with the relevant tax authorities. It was manual, scrappy, and surprisingly effective. After completing Y Combinator, we began building a direct-to-consumer (D2C) product to help users file their VAT returns digitally, making the process faster and more accessible. But then the pandemic hit—shutting down international travel, commerce, and mobility overnight. For a business built around cross-border movement, COVID-19 wasn’t just a challenge—it was a turning point.
Rather than pause and wait it out, we used the moment to pivot strategically. We transitioned from a D2C focus to building a scalable, enterprise-grade B2B2C platform. We doubled down on automation, re-engineered our infrastructure, and built the foundations for long-term, global growth. By the time the world opened back up, Revenir wasn’t just back in business—we were ahead of the curve. Today, we’re leaner, stronger, and better positioned to lead the future of VAT recovery.
Tell us about the working culture at Revenir AI
At Revenir, we operate like a tight, well-coordinated ship—where autonomy and ownership aren’t just encouraged, they’re expected. Every team member is trusted to lead in their domain, make decisions with confidence, and move fast. We’re built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and the belief that true innovation comes from collaboration. We hold weekly team meetings to share wins, roadblocks, and the occasional wild idea. Our flat structure keeps us agile and responsive—able to pivot quickly based on user feedback or market shifts without getting bogged down by layers of bureaucracy. Just as importantly, we respect life beyond work. We offer flexibility, encourage balance, and support each other as humans first. It’s a culture where you’re empowered to challenge the status quo, take meaningful ownership, and yes, have a laugh along the way. We move fast, we think big, and we do it together.
How are you funded?
Revenir’s journey began with a pitch competition at Imperial College London, where we secured our first injection of capital. That early win helped us lay the foundation, covering essentials like domain registration, cloud infrastructure, and our initial operational setup. We bootstrapped through our first year, focusing on product development and early traction. Shortly after, we joined Y Combinator and raised a pre-seed round of approximately £3M. This round was a pivotal milestone, enabling us to rebuild with scale, resilience, and long-term sustainability in mind. It continues to power our mission as we expand our platform and partner network across borders.
What has been your biggest challenge so far, and how have you overcome it?
Our biggest challenge? Navigating the maze of global tax regulations. Each country has its own VAT framework, which means our platform must be hyper-accurate, adaptable, and always in sync with local compliance requirements.
Just as important is the education gap—many people still don’t realize they’re eligible for VAT refunds, or how much value they’re leaving on the table. Bridging that awareness gap is a key part of our strategy. And, of course, there’s the challenge of scaling fast without sacrificing quality. As demand grows, we’re focused on building infrastructure and partnerships that scale smart, ensuring our service remains fast, reliable, and intuitive at every step.
How does Revenir AI answer an unmet need?
VAT recovery has historically been a frustrating and bureaucratic process—confusing, time-consuming, and often not worth the effort for the end user. Revenir is changing that by turning a fragmented, manual system into a seamless, AI-powered experience. We automate the entire VAT reclaim journey—from data extraction and validation to regulatory compliance and submission—making it easy for users to recover what’s rightfully theirs. Our technology removes the friction, reduces errors, and dramatically speeds up the process. By integrating directly with banks, fintech platforms, and global merchants, Revenir also enables a broader financial ecosystem where VAT recovery becomes a value-added feature rather than a forgotten afterthought. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a global retailer, or a financial institution looking to enhance your offering, Revenir delivers a smarter, faster, and more intuitive way to unlock hidden value.
What’s in store for the future?
The future of VAT recovery is all about intelligent personalization and seamless integration. As an embedded finance company, Revenir is bringing VAT reclaim capabilities directly into digital wallets, travel booking platforms, and loyalty apps—ensuring users receive value exactly when and where they need it, with no extra steps and no added friction. But innovation isn’t just about technology. We’re equally committed to ethical fintech, where AI is applied responsibly and aligned with broader goals like transparency, sustainability, and financial inclusion. At Revenir, we’re not just building for what’s next—we’re building with purpose. We’re shaping a future where smart financial tools are not only powerful, but truly meaningful.
What one piece of advice would you give other founders or future founders?
Start with a clear vision—while staying flexible. The problem you set out to solve might not be the one your customers care most about, and that’s okay. Listen closely, pivot wisely, and always stay grounded. Build your compliance and data protection frameworks early. They may not be glamorous, but they’re what makes scale possible. And finally, invest in people. A great team will challenge you, support you, and push the business forward in ways you can’t anticipate. Empower them, and they’ll surprise you.
And finally, a more personal question! What’s your daily routine and the rules you’re living by at the moment?
My mornings start quietly, with reading the news and a quick scan of emails and Slack. It’s my way of easing into the day while getting a bird’s-eye view of what’s ahead. If time allows, I’ll squeeze in some light exercise—just enough to clear my head before heading into the office. Once I’m at work, the first priority is getting a cup of coffee, then checking in with the team. I like to make sure everyone has what they need to move forward before diving into my own to-dos. Around midday, I try to step out for lunch when I can, especially if there’s a bit of rare London sunshine. On less sunny days, I lean into the comfort of a second coffee to carry me into the afternoon.
Most of my calls are scheduled later in the day, thanks to the time zone differences with partners and clients. Afternoons are also when I focus on strategy, data, and more number-driven tasks—that’s usually when I hit my productivity stride.
I typically wrap up work around 7:30 PM, tidy up the office, and head home. Evenings are sacred. Whether it’s sharing a quiet dinner or watching a film with my wife over a drink, that time helps me disconnect and reset. Some of our best ideas—and deepest conversations—come from those unstructured moments, whether we’re dreaming about the future or just debating which movie deserves a rewatch. Later in the evening, I do a bit more work or finish up some research before bed—nothing too rigid, just making sure I know what to prioritize for the next day. I don’t believe in strict routines, but I do live by a few simple rules: progress over perfection, and rest is part of the process. Staying balanced helps me stay sharp—and stay curious.
Shawn Du is the CEO of Revenir.
