Qonto

Qonto is a French online payment institution for freelancers and small and medium businesses. The company was founded in 2016, and the initial product was launched in July 2017 in France. The service has been expanded to Spain, Germany and Italy.

In July 2018, Qonto obtained the license to be a payment institution from the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority.

In January 2017, Qonto raised €1,6 million in a seed round with Alven Capital, by billionaire Peter Thiel's Valar Ventures and a few business angels. In July 2017, Qonto raised another €10 million from existing investors Valar Ventures and Alven Capital.

In September 2018, Qonto raised another €20 million from its existing investors (Valar Ventures and Alven Capital). The European Investment Bank also became an investor. In January 2020, Qonto raised a €115 million funding round, led by DST Global and Tencent. After a new fundraising of €486 million in January 2022, Qonto became the most valued unicorn in France with an estimated valuation of €4.4 billion. In July 2022, Qonto made its first acquisition since its creation by buying its German competitor, Penta.