SaaS

London Beauty Tech Startup Fresha Raises $80m from KKR to Achieve Unicorn Status

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London-based Fresha, a beauty and wellness software startup providing appointment booking, payments and business management solutions for salons, spas and wellness operators, raised $80m from KKR at a valuation exceeding $1bn, achieving unicorn status. The company is already profitable and plans to use the capital for international expansion and AI tool development.

LLYC Opens Innovation Lab Offices in Lisbon, Establishing New Model for Global Network

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LLYC inaugurated new offices in Lisbon designed as an innovation laboratory for the global network. The new workspace emphasizes multidisciplinary team integration, flexible work models, and hybrid solutions. Portugal was chosen as the first location to adopt this new office model due to the maturity and growth of the operation.

Romania Launches Swiss-Backed SME Eco-Tech Platform to Finance Green Manufacturing Transformation

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Romania launched the SME Eco-Tech platform on May 21, 2026, a Swiss-funded financing program with a budget of 288.8 million RON (54 million CHF) designed to support green and digital transformation of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. The application period opens May 26, 2026, on a first-come, first-served basis, with funding through five partner banks. Minimum project value is 668,100 RON, with at least 40% of eligible expenses dedicated to green or digital investments.

Romanian Tax Authority Launches iBon App to Let Citizens Verify Receipts, Attracts 2,200 Users in First Three Days

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ANAF launched iBon, a free mobile application that allows Romanian citizens to verify if fiscal receipts were issued correctly. The app achieved over 2,200 user registrations within three days of launch, with users performing over 2,000 receipt scans and filing dozens of reports about merchant issues including missing receipts and payment problems.

Starling Bank Reports Profit Decline Amid Interest Rate Pressures, But SaaS Unit Engine Surges

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Starling Bank, a UK challenger bank with over 6 million customers, reported pre-tax profits fell 3% to £217m and revenues fell to £887m for the year ending March 2026, primarily due to lower interest income from reduced interest rates. However, the bank’s SaaS subsidiary Engine doubled its client base to 4 and grew revenue 25% to £10.9m, signing a 10-year agreement with Tangerine (Scotiabank subsidiary) marking its first North American client.

European Fintech Shifts Focus: From Banking Apps to Integrated Financial Operating Systems for SMEs

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The article explores a new wave of European fintech companies moving beyond sleek user interfaces to build integrated financial operating systems for small and medium-sized businesses. Wamo, founded in 2021, exemplifies this shift by focusing on connecting banking, invoicing, payroll, and other financial tools into one seamless platform. The company aims to reach 100,000 companies across Europe and €50m ARR by 2027, leveraging AI for underwriting, risk assessment, and personalized services rather than using AI merely as a chatbot feature.

Manutan Launches Sixth Edition of Moov’with Program, Offering Startup Support Beyond Venture Capital

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Manutan Group announced the opening of applications for the sixth edition of its ‘Moov’with’ program, an entrepreneurial support initiative that provides operational and territorial-based accompaniment to startups, positioning itself as an alternative to traditional venture capital models during a slowdown in startup financing.