Kutcher invests in tech firm\'s flat-fee payment scheme

Actor Ashton Kutcher is likely one of the early investors in Dwolla, an Iowa tech start-up that lets users transfer money or pay for things through their smartphones or online for a flat fee of 25c per transaction.

The Two and a Half Men star didn't disclose the dimensions of the investment his venture capital company made in Dwolla, that's hoping to lure customers seeking a substitute for the share-based fees typical of bank card purchases and other online payment methods.

Kutcher told a newspaper that he desires to help build a "killer" company in Iowa "and put a number of folk to work here".

"i believe this company could employ hundreds of individuals inside the next couple of years," he said.

"The potential of Dwolla is to be the backbone for the worldwide financial exchange. Because it's built to do this. It's built better than any system that currently exists."

Dwolla said in February it had raised US$5 million ($6 million) from five investment firms, however it kept Kutcher's involvement secret before.

Kutcher's company, A-Grade Investments, has invested in about 40 tech start-ups and tech companies, including Foursquare, Zaarly and Skype. Kutcher told Dwolla's 20 employees at its headquarters this week that he sees the corporate having a big impact.

Dwolla's founder, Ben Milne says Kutcher's insights have "shown up within the product already in 1000000 other ways".

Their relationship began when Bo Fishback, chief executive of the digital marketplace Zaarly, told Kutcher he should meet Milne.

- AP