London-based fintech Tide has reached unicorn status following a $120 million funding round led by global asset manager TPG, valuing the company at $1.5 billion. The investment underscores Tide’s rapid growth and its role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises across multiple markets.
Tide currently serves more than 1.6 million members globally, including nearly 800,000 SMEs in the UK—equivalent to 14 per cent of the UK market—and over 800,000 in India. The firm recently entered Germany and launched operations in France in September 2025, starting with affordable credit services.
The funding came through The Rise Funds, TPG’s impact investment platform, which supports companies promoting financial inclusion. Yemi Lalude, Partner at TPG and Head of EMEA for The Rise Funds, will join Tide’s Board. He said supporting sole traders and micro-enterprises is vital to economic resilience and praised Tide’s mission to democratise financial and administrative services.
Tide’s all-in-one business platform includes current and savings accounts, invoicing, accounting, payroll, payments, credit and even website building. The service is tailored specifically for SMEs, offering a streamlined alternative to complex, disjointed incumbent offerings.
CEO Oliver Prill said the new capital will accelerate Tide’s international expansion and product innovation, with a particular focus on agentic AI to improve service delivery. He said this positions the firm at the forefront of fintech innovation while remaining grounded in the needs of small businesses.
The round also saw participation from existing backers including Apax Digital Funds, reaffirming confidence in Tide’s model. The company employs more than 2,500 staff worldwide.
Tide joins a wave of European startups reaching unicorn valuations in 2025, including AI firms Isomorphic Labs and Tines. This reflects a strong innovation ecosystem attracting global investment. TPG’s backing brings not only capital but strategic expertise, with the firm having previously invested in Airbnb, Uber and Spotify.
Tide’s rise is a positive signal for the UK’s fintech sector. By combining financial inclusion with responsible AI adoption, the company is helping to position the UK as a leader in ethical, tech-driven enterprise support.
Created by Amplify: AI-augmented, human-curated content.
