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- 05:00 am

Aiven, a software company that combines the best open source technologies with cloud infrastructure, today announced it raised $210M in its Series D at a pre-money valuation of $3B. The round was led by Eurazeo, and joined by funds and accounts managed by BlackRock as well as existing investors IVP, Atomico, Earlybird, World Innovation Lab and Salesforce Ventures.
The company has increased its headcount by more than 65% since October 2021 and aims to use the new funding to continue its international expansion, reaching beyond its newest hubs in Japan, Singapore and New Zealand, to other parts of the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions. Aiven looks to double its current number of employees in 2022 to help develop new platform capabilities and launch a global sustainability program, with the goal of enabling collective action within the Aiven community to build more sustainable applications in the cloud.
Following last year’s initiatives, including the establishment of a formal Open Source Program Office and the launch of Aiven’s startup program, Cluster, the company is committed to further democratizing access to best-of-breed data technologies, reducing the environmental impact of cloud services and increasing diversity and inclusion at Aiven and in the tech industry more broadly.
“Aiven’s mission is to make developers’ lives better, to help them build better applications,” said Oskari Saarenmaa, CEO and co-founder at Aiven. “Further investing in supporting open, community driven development of software and sustainable use of cloud services is a natural extension of what we value and have always wanted to achieve with Aiven.”
“Aiven is a prime showcase of a European-born champion on a trajectory of global category leadership. Its differentiated platform approach truly caters to the developer community by democratizing access to open-source technologies hosted on any cloud. The company has seen rapid adoption by customers across all sizes and industries with a demonstrated track record of product-led growth,” said Zoé Fabian, Managing Director at Eurazeo - Growth. “Sustainability is a key part of our investment thesis at Eurazeo and seeing Aiven being committed to combining a stellar financial profile with sustainability further strengthened our high conviction on embarking on the joint journey with Aiven to build the go-to platform for developers.”
To learn more about Aiven, visit https://aiven.io.
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- 02:00 am

101 Data Solutions, a rapidly growing business to business technology solutions consultancy, has been shortlisted in the Reseller of the Year category at the Network Computing Awards - a prestigious awards event for contributions to the field of information technology.
This Bristol-based business was one of only six companies selected for this award. 101 Data Solutions specialises in designing and building data storage solutions for organisations of all sizes. It is an accredited partner of Dell, the world’s largest provider of data storage systems.
Resellers have been making their mark in the IT channel in the last few years. They offer clients a more efficient way of buying and managing technology. However, it’s not just about helping a company lower its IT costs. Today’s reseller model is built on trust, expertise, and strong relationships with partners and clients. That’s why resellers are taking the channel by storm. With resellers, businesses can access a broad range of services and products they might not have known they needed.
Managing Director of 101 Data Solutions, Brett Edgecombe, said:
“It is great to be recognised for our work in driving new technology adoption through our partners and clients. Every day we are helping companies become digital-first by offering digital services and providing digital technologies. As resellers, we also push the boundaries of what future partners can expect from their partnerships with us. We continue to offer a broad range of services and products, and we place a high priority on client success. The Network Computing Awards highlights the important role resellers are playing in positively changing the IT environment and how we’re helping the industry thrive through our innovative storage and data protection solutions.”
Winners of this year’s awards will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on June 23, 2022.
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- 08:00 am

emerchantpay, a leading payment service provider and acquirer, has formed a strategic partnership with APEXX Global, a multi-award-winning global payments platform, to expand its acquiring coverage and maximise its merchant growth globally.
The partnership will expand APEXX’s current ecosystem by providing access to emerchantpay’s in-house and global merchant acquiring services. Additionally, through the new alliance with emerchantpay, APEXX will leverage over 300 ways to pay domestically and cross-border. This means that APEXX can reach more merchants across a range of verticals and in key international markets.
Moreover, the partnership is underpinned by emerchantpay’s partner-centric approach through dedicated support, training, monitoring and optimising APEXX’s proposition. Ultimately, this relationship is poised to drive operational efficiencies, a higher volume of transactions and boost payment performance.
Joshua Hickling, Head of UK Partnerships at emerchantpay, says: “emerchantpay and APEXX have a shared goal to help merchants scale at speed in an ever-competitive payments landscape. The combined power of our platforms makes it easier for eCommerce merchants to optimise their payments performance and enter new markets so they achieve sustainable growth.”
Peter Keenan, CEO and Co-Founder at APEXX, said: “The global imperative for eCommerce adoption has created a greater need for tailored market-specific payment infrastructures. Our joint approach allows us to reach a greater number of merchants who can in turn benefit from a best-in-class payment proposition that facilitates growth at speed.”
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- 06:00 am

Airwallex, a global fintech platform, today announced Pranav Sood has joined as its new General Manager, EMEA and will lead the company’s next phase of growth as it continues to expand across the region.
Airwallex first established its presence in EMEA in 2019 and has witnessed tremendous growth since, with a regional team of more than 100 people. Continuing with this momentum, Pranav will be responsible for continuing the business’ strong growth trajectory, driving Airwallex’s strategy, growth, operations, product development and talent across EMEA, whilst being a Director Designate of Airwallex (UK) Limited and Airwallex (Netherlands) B.V.
Jack Zhang, Co-founder and CEO of Airwallex said, “I am excited to welcome Pranav to Airwallex as we strengthen our foothold in EMEA. His fintech expertise alongside his strong track record and ability to scale businesses will be invaluable as we continue to grow our presence in the region, providing a full suite of payment solutions through our diversified product stack. I look forward to having Pranav onboard, as we look towards becoming a truly global technology business that supports the entrepreneurs, business builders and makers with opportunities in every corner of the world. ”
Pranav Sood, Airwallex’s GM for EMEA, said, “Globalisation and digitalisation have driven an explosion in cross-border payment volumes over the past few years. Airwallex sits at the heart of both of these trends, with its financial infrastructure already enabling thousands of businesses around the world to grow without borders. Over the past couple of years, I’ve witnessed the business’ rapid growth across EMEA and I couldn’t be more excited to be joining a stellar EMEA team at such a critical juncture.”
Pranav joins from London-based fintech GoCardless, where in his most recent role as VP, Small Business he led a global, cross-functional team responsible for all aspects of the customer journey and the majority of the company’s revenue. During his tenure he oversaw a doubling in GoCardless’ SME revenue, growing its active customer base to ~75,000 SMEs. In his almost 5 years at GoCardless, Pranav also took on other leadership roles, including both International Expansion and Business Operations & Strategy. He led GoCardless’ growth into North America, Australia and across Europe, as well as company strategy and fundraising. Pranav started his career at Bain & Company, working in the firm’s London, Mumbai and Melbourne offices.
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- 01:00 am

Aevi, announced today that it has completed a major rebranding project. Aevi’s purpose is opening up transaction data and setting payments free. The powerful and dynamic new brand reflects this freedom and positivity, demonstrating that Aevi is truly committed to innovation. The new brand strategy celebrates the possibilities that are found at Aevi. It focuses on the openness and flexibility that the new digital world entails.
Founded in 2015, Aevi has grown over the years from operating as a start-up, to one of the biggest major players in FinTech, an industry faced with the need for fast growth. In the era of Payments 4.X, consumers have quickly become accustomed to innovative online payment tech and now expect the same seamless experience in-store. Technology, big commerce and smaller merchants are looking into adapting their services to match this demand.
Aevi is on a mission to make in-person payments as innovative as online payments. Fully cloud-based, the Aevi platform lets customers, and partners, embrace the latest payment tech. It empowers their merchant businesses with unprecedented data, enabling growth and improvements to the customer experience. Device agnostic, it puts their customers firmly in control. An investment in 2021 from Mastercard demonstrates that Aevi is one to watch in the global payments market.
To reflect their commitment to pioneering this change for in-person payments, Aevi has revealed a fresh brand to reflect the openness and flexibility that are now essential components in the FinTech space. Like their platform, they’re open to the world and inspired by collaboration. Bringing all industry partners together across the value chain, they create the best possible customer experience. Aevi shines in a completely new light, unveiling a new logo and website design that complements its growing business model.
“Open, fearless, honest, positive. Four attributes that not only describe our new brand, but also the culture we’ve always fostered here at Aevi. We are operating in an ever-changing environment; technology moves on and so are we. The rebranding marks a new Aevi in- and externally, with a strategy focused on building a more open (payments) world.” said Aevi CEO Mike Camerling.
Keeping Aevi, their corporate name, shows appreciation of the business that helped them get here. Using the accessible and free spirit of the new brand’s visual language, Aevi highlights the ease of payments and embraces where the future of pay tech is going. Click here to explore the new brand in all its facets.
Visit the new Aevi website and get connected on LinkedIn for the ultimate experience.
Watch the Brand Film on YouTube.
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- 07:00 am

Elucidate, a financial crime risk management platform, has raised $8 million in a funding round led by AV8 Ventures, alongside Elevator Ventures, the corporate venture capital entity of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) and Tommy Nicholas, Founder and CEO of Alloy. Existing investors APEX Ventures, Frontline Ventures, BiG Start Ventures and SixThirty Ventures, also participated.
The funding comes at a critical time for the financial sector. Overall financial crime has skyrocketed during the COVID pandemic. Geopolitical instability in Eastern Europe and the introduction of sanctions targeting Russia have highlighted the broader challenge financial institutions face when trying to identify and assess financial crime. Fraud and money laundering activities remain largely unmitigated and on the rise, with organizations relying on manual and outdated processes to counter financial crime.
The FCA employs approximately 4,000 people and regulates over 50,000 institutions. To ensure financial crime can be countered through government regulations, including shell company structuring and economic sanctions, a new approach is warranted.
Over the coming months, Elucidate will be engaging with key public authorities in the UK, highlighting the challenges of countering financial crime through existing processes and seeking to work with these authorities, including the FCA to implement advanced, risk-based solutions for financial institution.
Shane Riedel, co-founder and CEO of Elucidate, said the investment comes at an integral moment for the company as it prepares to scale-up activities. "The Ukraine-Russia conflict and the complexity banks have faced implementing the most recent sanctions has, once again, revealed the sheer scale of financial crime risk banks can find themselves exposed to when they lack the proper tools.
A global reset in how we manage financial crime is needed. Elucidate, with our vision to rid the Earth of financial crime, is leading this trend by demonstrating how technology can be leveraged to set a global benchmark for financial crime risk management.
Riedel continued, “This funding validates the vital work we are doing, strengthens our position in the market and shows that especially in this current era of geopolitical instability, the financial community is calling for innovative tech solutions to overcome systemic challenges."
By employing data analysis and modeling, Elucidate has created the world’s first regulated risk scoring system for financial crime, the Elucidate FinCrime Index (EFI), to address this very problem and simplify the way the global financial system manages financial crime.
Elucidate gives financial institutions the ability to identify and measure financial crime risk through sophisticated automation. Since being founded in 2018, Elucidate has rated over 20,000 organizations, setting a regulated benchmark to help the financial sector effectively counter surging financial crime.
The scaling fintech has already received backing from a growing number of renowned financial institutions and individuals who recognize the need for setting a global crime risk benchmark. These partners include investors Raiffeisen Bank International and Lisbon-based Banco de Investimento Global.
Elucidate will use the investment to consolidate its position as the leading financial crime risk management platform, grow its revenue, operations, and data-science teams in Europe and the U,S and expand its recently launched financial crime risk pricing product.
The current funding is the latest in a series of recent company milestones. In November 2021, Elucidate expanded into the US with the opening of an office in Miami. David Lewis, former Executive Secretary of the Financial Action Task Force, also joined Elucidate’s advisory board in February 2022. To date the company has raised $14m in funding and its team has grown to more than 40 people.
Baris Aksoy, General Partner of AV8 Ventures, lead investor, commented, “In a context of uncertainty and constant change, it has become nearly impossible for financial institutions to handle their increasingly complex processes in a manual way. Technology is playing a huge role in transforming this growing challenge. Elucidate's comprehensive AI-powered data analytics engine helps bring real-time, deep visibility into financial risk exposure, and give control to the people in charge. We are thrilled to be supporting the team's ambitious vision."
Valerie Brunner, Group Head of Institutional Clients at RBI, spoke on the investment and how it reflects RBI’s broader support of Elucidate’s work. “Elucidate enriches our internal analyses with additional external data-based assessments. This raises the discussion with our clients to a new qualitatively and quantitatively improved level and makes our compliance framework even more robust.”
For more information go to https://elucidate.co/
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- 01:00 am

Ebury, one of the world's largest fintech companies specializing in international transactions for small and medium-sized enterprises, with operations in 20 countries, today signs an agreement to begin the process of acquiring 100% of the Brazilian fintech Bexs, which includes the businesses Bexs Banco (foreign exchange) and Bexs Pay (payments). The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, aims to broaden the company's offering of international money transfer solutions for SMEs, as well as to provide digital services to businesses that sell their products online in Brazil, particularly marketplaces, applications, and software companies.
Bexs' technology also enables large-scale payments from abroad to Brazil. Another synergy between the Brazilian foreign exchange bank and Ebury is the opening of accounts in other countries, which allows even small businesses to transact directly in the local currency of each market, without necessarily having to bring the money into the country. With its headquarters in São Paulo, the institution has already processed international payments (in&out) for more than 50 million Brazilians. In 2021, it handled over 30 million transactions integrating foreign exchange with the local solution Pix (instant payment). In the same year, total foreign exchange transactions exceeded the R$ 20 billion mark.
"Bexs is more 'tech' than 'fin', capable of combining globally scalable solutions with in-depth expertise in currency regulation. The acquisition by Ebury will provide access to a portfolio of potential customers across other markets," says Sérgio Rial, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ebury. "In addition, its unique technology and business model for massive payments can be replicated in other geographies. The synergy possibilities are almost limitless."
Born in 1989 as Didier Corretora de Câmbio, the institution received authorization from the Brazilian Central Bank to operate as a foreign exchange bank in 2010 and started doing business under the name Bexs. In 2012, it launched its cross-border e-commerce technology, enabling it to operate in the marketplace and SaaS (software as a service) segments. Nearly four years ago, the institution gained new momentum when it became an API platform, allowing direct integration of its systems with major players in the digital world, both in Brazil and abroad.
Thus, a small e-commerce business based in China, for example, can sell in Brazil via a marketplace and receive payments directly in dollars or another foreign currency. Alternatively, a social network can leverage the platform to ensure a steady flow of compensation to influencers, a transaction type characterized by a high volume of micropayments with currency conversion. Additionally, brokerages can use the platform to offer their clients the opportunity to invest overseas.
Some of the top companies in the marketplace, payments, and social network industries, as well as brokerage firms and agri-tech businesses, are already using Bexs' services in Brazil.
Under the terms of the agreement signed with Ebury, Bexs' CEO, Luiz Henrique Didier Jr., will continue to head the operations in Brazil. Following regulatory approvals, the institution will be integrated into Ebury's structure. There are numerous synergies to be explored between the Group's companies, starting with international digital trade.
"We have a presence in 20 countries, and Brazil could not be left out. Furthermore, it serves as our gateway to Latin America," notes Fernando Pierri, Ebury's Chief Commercial Officer. "Brazil remains very closed to foreign trade, but this has been rapidly changing as it seeks to accelerate its internationalization. The country has signed free trade agreements, including one with the European Union, and has also been working to improve its foreign exchange regulations. All this will boost demand for foreign exchange and accounts abroad."
Ebury is responsible for US$ 17 billion in business transactions each year and is headquartered in London, from where it oversees its operations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
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- 08:00 am

Laura Barley has been appointed as chief operating officer (COO) for TransUnion in the UK, meaning that its executive team is now an even split of men and women.
TransUnion pledged in 2019 that it aimed to achieve gender parity in senior leadership by 2030 in all the regions it operates in. The UK leadership team, which is now 50% female, is a testament to that commitment being put into practice.
Having been with the business for over 15 years, Laura has taken on responsibility for all aspects of UK operations. This includes operational assurance, ensuring the highest standards of service for TransUnion clients and consumers.
Satrajit “Satty” Saha, CEO of TransUnion in the UK, said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Laura to the UK executive team which has now become 50% female. It’s a real privilege for me to be leading with such a strong, diverse team. Laura’s appointment also highlights the pathways to progression that exist here at TransUnion for all our colleagues, and her experience and knowledge of the business will be a great asset.”
Before being appointed to the executive team, Laura was operations director with responsibility for consumer services, data operations and data. She has an in-depth understanding of customer experience, having recently driven a programme to improve customer satisfaction which saw clients vote the company Credit Information Partner of the Year in The Consumer Credit Awards 2021.
Speaking of her appointment, Laura Barley said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as the new chief operations officer at TransUnion in the UK and look forward to supporting continued growth by optimising business processes. I’m also thrilled to be part of an executive team with such a strong female presence. Working in an industry where there is often not enough female representation, having female role models at a senior level is incredibly important and something I am proud to contribute towards.”
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- 05:00 am

Klarna, a leading global retail bank, payments and shopping service that helps consumers save time and money, be informed and in control, today announced its new Flexible Work Policy designed to offer employees greater choice, autonomy, and flexibility in how and where they choose to work. Learnings of the past two years have proven that significant growth and success can be achieved when employees can work remotely and in-person, with the ability to choose the combination that is most productive for them. Klarna’s new hybrid work model aims to provide employees with flexibility, resources and facilities optimized to support how and where they want to work, in order to meet individual needs and maximize productivity.
The policy gives employees the option to work remotely within their country of employment –or state/province in the US and Canada– as well as from the office if they choose. Additionally, employees can now work abroad for up to 20 days per year at Klarna offices outside of their employment country, promoting global team building, personal development and professional career growth opportunities. Finally, to ensure employees are properly equipped for this new way of working, Klarna is also providing each employee with an annual payment contribution and equipment which can be used to improve personal home office space or upgrade work accessories.
With a continued commitment in bringing together and nurturing teams, the new model will facilitate monthly in-office gatherings in order to tackle aspects of work where in-person interaction remains valuable; whether that be for creative problem solving, brainstorming sessions, or fostering meaningful professional relationships. As ways of working change, Klarna will continue to invest in offices around the world to best serve and evolve with their employees.
“If you love what you do, you should love where you do it,” said Linda Höglund, Chief Operating Officer, Klarna. “At Klarna, we appreciate that everyone has their own preferences of where and how to work. We are excited to combine the power of face-to-face interactions with effective remote work to create a hybrid model that empowers employees and encourages company-wide collaboration.”
Klarna’s approach to work has evolved over the last two years, from having teams sit in close physical proximity to one another, to thriving in a remote work environment, and now having over 7,000 employees representing 100 nationalities work successfully together across 20 markets.
Klarna’s unique operating model is made up of hundreds of small teams that operate like independent startups, aligned on achieving its overarching vision and mission. Teams are made up of people from different competences and skill sets that solve for unique problem spaces, and are optimized for speed, flow, and quality to set them up for the ultimate success. Klarna’s Flexible Work Policy is designed to maximize this model by enabling more efficient ways of working for employees, taking into account new preferences and individual differences and further enabling agility, fast growth, and expansion into new areas.
Klarna has achieved record level merchandise volumes of USD 80 billion driven by growth in all global markets, serving 147 million global active consumers, and partnered with 400,000 global retailers, extending Klarna’s reach to 45 countries. The company's product and service offerings also continue to strengthen, with the success of the Klarna App which has over 22 million monthly active users globally, along with the recent launches of new consumer products including "Pay Now,” a new browser extension, sustainable collections, and the Klarna Card.