The valencian startup ecosystem gains new support, as Qonto has joined Startup Valencia as a supporter. The financial solution for SMEs and freelancers commits itself to fostering entrepreneurship and talent in the region, aiming to boost its competitiveness.
Qonto was founded in 2017 by Steve Anavi and Alexandre Prot, who, disappointed with the banking services they received when starting their first business together, decided to create the type of corporate banking solution they would have wanted for themselves. The project initially targeted the French market, but just two years later, in 2019, it began its European expansion, landing in the other three major markets for SMEs and freelancers on the continent: Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Since then, this fintech has continued to grow. In 2020, it reached 100,000 customers; in 2021, it was included as one of the companies in the Next40, the French index of scaleups poised to become the country’s major future enterprises; in 2022, it closed a record investment round of 486 million euros and acquired Penta, its main competitor in Germany. Recently, it acquired Regate, the French solution specialized in accounting firms, and today boasts over 450,000 clients, more than 1,400 employees, and has become a European leader in digital banking for SMEs and freelancers.
Qonto reports significant growth in Spain, with Valencia being one of the main focuses for addressing the national market. In addition to being a region with a high concentration of small and medium-sized enterprises, “it has great entrepreneurial dynamism and is a driver of innovation,” states Carles Marcos i Guàrdia, General Manager of Qonto Spain.
For Juan Luis Hortelano, president of Startup Valencia, this decision “is yet another demonstration of the great capacity to attract startups and scaleups of the Valencian technological ecosystem, positioning it as an international reference hub for innovative companies.“
Qonto’s customers praise its simplicity and transparency. Maria Parareda, co-founder of Scoolinary, recommends this product “to any small company that is just starting, especially if they are digital natives or companies that work remotely. It’s quick and easy to use and gives us the agility we need.” Also, Sergi Bastardas, CEO of Colvin, states that “previously, our employees had to advance their expenses. With Qonto, we give them a card and control absolutely everything in real-time.”
This new addition reiterates the interest that tech companies and large corporations have in the Valencian innovative ecosystem, recognizing the benefits of collaboration and synergy creation that a platform like Startup Valencia offers.
With Qonto, the list of supporters now includes fifteen entities, among them Sales Layer, RCD, Damm, Fresh People, Aktion, Voicemod, Google for Startups, Sesame, Zubi Group, OVHcloud, Opentop, Internxt, and Next Tier Ventures.
Other entities that have also solidified their commitment to the Valencian innovative ecosystem include GoHub Ventures, Sabadell BStartup, Wayra, Elewit, Zeus, Plug and Play, HP, BBVA Spark, TBig Finance, Marina de Empresas, Santander, Innsomnia, and CaixaBank DayOne, all of which are part of Startup Valencia as partners.
