Bunq
bunq was founded in 2012 by serial entrepreneur Ali Niknam (1981) after he secured the first European banking permit in over 35 years.
He set out to radically change the traditional banking industry and was bunq’s sole investor until 2021. This provided bunq with the freedom and independence to build a bank rooted in the wants and needs of its users, and based on strong values and a clear sense of purpose.
In April 2021, their deposits surpassed €1 billion for the first time, and in July 2021 bunq announced the largest series A round ever secured by a European fintech.
bunq raised €193 million in a deal with British private equity firm Pollen Street Capital, valuing the company at approximately €1.6 billion. At the same time, bunq also
reported its first-ever profitable month.
These things coming together will allow bunq to further expand and take its purpose-driven model, that has CSR and sustainability at its core to users all across Europe.
France is at the core of these ambitions already, as bunq has launched a French branch, providing French IBANs to users, in 2021.