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Investors infuse 35 million euros into Pliant, both new and established backers contributing to the capital.

American entrepreneurs bank on an extended period of learning for a successful market debut of their new product.

Investors infuse 35 million euros into Pliant, both new and established backers contributing to the capital.

Rolling Out Big: Berlin Fintech Pliant's $40M Series B Funding Paves the Way for US Market entry

Berlin's fintech game-changer, Pliant, has secured $40 million in its Series B funding round, flooding their coffers with over $100 million in total funding. Having expanded their Series A round back in April 2024 to a whopping $50 million, this new influx of funds has them readier than ever to shake up the B2B payments world. The round was orchestrated by the UK's digital nettle-grabbers Illuminate Financial and Austrian VC powerhouse Speedinvest, with backing from partners like PayPal Ventures and Motive Ventures. As Pliant co-founder and CEO, Malte Rau, notes, investors were more devoted to "growth with positive, stable gains post-marketing costs."

Pliant's Grand Entrance to the US Market

In an exclusive chat with Gründerszene, Rau dished about Pliant's future moves. With a lush war chest, seemingly endless from their last round and the recent cash injection, and a "multi-year runway," funding concerns are History 101 material for these fintech darlings. Although another funding round isn't immediately necessary, they're not ruling out a Series C down the road if identified opportunities arise. For now, it's full steam ahead, with the funds allocated for tech infrastructure development and team expansion.

The cherry on top? Pliant's been eyeing the US market for quite some time, and plans to finally make their move. With strong demand from customers on both sides of the pond, they're aiming to launch a "longer learning phase" with a small team to ensure the product-market fit before going all in.

Born in the Heart of a Pandemic, Pliant's Rising

Founded in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic by Malte Rau and Fabian Terner – both alumni of Lendico and Fincompare, respectively – Pliant has grown to nearly 200 employees and over 3,500 customers across Europe. In April 2025, they swiped right on Austria's insurtech Hi.Health, amping up their product portfolio and appealing to customers in the insurance sector. With Visa cards in 11 currencies and an API-first platform, they're poised to become a formidable force in the B2B payments scene, starting with the US.

Riding the Fintech Wave

Here's the scoop on Pliant's strategy:

  1. B2B Payments Mastery: They specialize in corporate credit cards and B2B payment infrastructure, with a cards-as-a-service (CaaS) model enabling businesses to develop their own credit card programs.
  2. Industry Dominance: Their platform is already making waves in industries such as travel, fleet management, and banking.
  3. Tech and Talent: The fintech titan plans to invest heavily in talent and tech to fuel its growth.
  4. Versatile Services: In addition to their existing platforms and services, they aim to expand into new and diverse markets through collaborations, acquisitions, and enhancements.
  5. The Series B funding of $40 million for Berlin's fintech company, Pliant, totals over $100 million in funding, making them incredibly pliant in their readiness to disrupt the B2B payments world.
  6. With a solid war chest from their recent funding and a "multi-year runway," Pliant is preparing to make a grand entrance into the US market, launching a longer learning phase with a small team to ensure product-market fit before going all in.
  7. Founded in 2020, Pliant, born in the heart of a pandemic, has grown extensively, with nearly 200 employees and over 3,500 customers across Europe, and now aims to expand its services across the Atlantic.
  8. Pliant specializes in corporate credit cards and B2B payment infrastructure, with a cards-as-a-service (CaaS) model, utilizing technology and talent acquisitions to fuel growth and achieve industry dominance in travel, fleet management, banking, and new, diverse markets.
U.S. Launch Relying on Extended Education Phase for Product Success According to Founders

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