Upvest, a Berlin-based fintech startup, has announced a significant milestone in its growth journey, securing a €100 million Series C funding round led by Hedosophia, a venture capital firm. The investment, which also saw participation from Sapphire Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, and BlackRock, brings the company's valuation to a "significantly higher" level than its previous valuation after its $42 million Series B round.

The funding news is a testament to Upvest's success in building a white-label investment platform that has been adopted by some of the biggest fintech companies in Europe, including Bunq, N26, Plum, Raisin, Revolut, Shares, and Vivid. The platform, which has already been used by 50 million people, enables companies to offer fractional stock trading and access to other financial products such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds.

Upvest's platform has seen significant traction, with the company processing 20 million orders in 2024 alone. The startup has also witnessed a surge in trading activity, with around one million trades per week recently. The company's plans to expand its offerings to include crypto, derivatives, ELTIFs (European Long-Term Investment Funds), and bonds in any currency are expected to further accelerate its growth.

The funding will also support Upvest's expansion into new markets, including the U.K., where the company has recently obtained an authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate. However, the company acknowledges that it still needs to adapt its platform to cater to local preferences, such as regulated savings accounts in France and tax-free savings accounts in the U.K.

Upvest's success in securing a significant funding round is a reflection of its commitment to building a robust and scalable platform that addresses the unique challenges of enterprise banks, fintechs, and D2C platforms. As Sapphire Ventures partner Andreas Weiskam noted, "Their full-stack system addresses the unique challenges of enterprise banks, fintechs, and D2C platforms with exceptional usability, innovation, and resilience."

The funding round is also expected to create a barrier to entry for competitors trying to build a white-label investment platform. While companies like Bitpanda offer similar solutions, Upvest's focus on building a comprehensive platform that caters to local market preferences is expected to give it a competitive edge.

With the funding in place, Upvest is well-positioned to support its next 50 million customers and continue its growth trajectory. The company's success is a testament to the growing demand for innovative fintech solutions that can cater to the diverse needs of users across Europe.