Berlin-based Lendorse raises €1.7M to offer income-based financing for international students: Know more

Berlin-based Lendorse, a startup that offers financial support to international students, has secured €1.75M in a funding round.

The round was co-led by LUMO Labs and Soulmates Ventures, with additional support from PI Impact and angel investor Daniel Naber.

Michal Sikyta, Investment Director at Soulmates Ventures, says, “Empowering the brightest students and fostering a more resilient and secure future is the mission of the Lendorse team. Supporting ambition, driving innovation and growth across Europe is crucial.”

“Equal access to education is key for this, especially for talented international students often excluded from common financing options. We are proud to support a team that unlocks potential at scale.”

Increase access to higher education

Each year, many international students receive offers to join higher education programmes but are unable to enroll due to financial limitations. This is where Lendorse looks to make a difference. 

The company, operating through a digital platform, provides upfront financing to cover tuition and living costs. Repayment is not required immediately but begins once graduates enter the workforce, based on a fixed percentage of their future income.

Besides, Lendorse also offers career guidance and integration tools. These services looks to support students beyond education access, helping them navigate academic and professional paths in Europe.

Dagmar van Ravenswaay Claasen, Partner at LUMO Labs, mentions, “At the core of Lendorse’s platform is a proprietary underwriting engine that evaluates each applicant based on academic performance, career trajectory, and personal motivation.”

“This data-driven model enables fast, consistent and fair funding decisions, ensuring that support flows to individuals with the motivation to succeed in top academic and professional environments. We are very happy to support the further development and roll-out of this very impactful and scalable platform.”

Founded in 2022 by Bjoern Christian Wolf, Evgenii Avdeev, and Hannah Sharpe, Lendorse aims to make education accessible by linking support to future earnings rather than credit history or collateral.

Previously, the company has received backing from Techstars, Earlybird Vision Lab, Evergryn Ventures, 4OS Capital, and Vealo Ventures.

Capital utilisation

Lendorse will use the funds to develop its platform and expand its team to meet demand. The company plans to scale its reach in response to market need and increased institutional support.

Bjoern Christian Wolf, Lendorse co-founder & CEO, says, “Behind every Lendorse investment, there is a student with a dream and the drive to pursue it. We’re not just covering costs, we are removing barriers and opening doors to opportunities that can redefine a future.”

Brief about the lead investors

LUMO Labs launched the LUMO Rise Fund, a €100M multi-stage venture capital fund supporting startups from pre-seed to Series A. The fund includes a startup coaching programme and invests in systems, infrastructures, and platforms linked to technologies such as AI, blockchain, Internet of Things, digital security, and extended realities.

It focuses on solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health, education, urban development, and climate. The fund targets investments in Benelux and Germany, with additional activity in the Nordics, Baltics, and Iberian Peninsula. 

LUMO Rise Fund follows LUMO Fund II and is led by founders Andy Lürling and Sven Bakkes.

Soulmates Ventures, founded in 2020 by Hynek Sochor, is a Czech accelerator and venture capital firm that backs startups focused on long-term sustainable development. The firm provides funding and works directly with founders to grow their businesses and enter new markets. 

Its portfolio includes eighteen companies such as eAgronom, Kardi AI, Twinzo, Flowpay, VOS.health, Precismo, Ogre AI, Madmonq, and Twin Science.