Swave: Cashback and loyalty for local shopping

Business context

Swave is an innovative platform combining the functions of a customer card and a loyalty programme for local retailers. It helps local authorities and retailers stimulate local spending. The application automatically sets aside savings when purchases are made with partners — users accumulate cashback directly in their account or collect points redeemable for rewards and vouchers.

Before Swave was created, there was no centralised solution that could easily track transactions and reward purchases, especially in a cashless model. The goal of the initiative, launched in Belgium in 2020, was to create a multifunctional application for customers and merchants that would genuinely encourage local consumption while also demonstrating the team’s technological maturity in the area of financial solutions.

Challenge

The key challenge was to design an experience that enables users not only to save, but also to redeem rewards seamlessly during cashless payments. Different mechanisms — from direct cashback to a points-based system — had to be combined within a single tool while maintaining simplicity for the user.

The second area involved complex integration with various bank accounts and reliable tracking of transaction data. The solution had to securely identify payments made with local partners, assign the appropriate benefits to them, and protect user data while ensuring high availability and reliability.

Additionally, the client needed a trusted technology partner to lead the work end-to-end: from product and UX, through application implementation, to maintenance and further development.

Solution

The Leaware team drew on its experience in building financial applications to deliver a user-friendly and secure mobile app. Users can easily connect their bank accounts, and the system automatically tracks local payments and calculates the rewards due. Account balances, points, and transaction history are presented clearly, increasing engagement and the frequency of purchases made with partners.

At the core of the solution is a transaction-matching and benefits-calculation engine, supporting both cashback and points redeemable for vouchers. The architecture was designed for rapid scaling and easy onboarding of new cities and retail chains, while the processes are optimised for cashless payments.

Following deployment, the application has been dynamically expanding its network of partner merchants in Belgian cities such as Bruges, Ghent, and Kortrijk. The project received funding through the WinWinner campaign, and a web version is also planned to support further expansion in the Flemish market.