Silicon Canals
TRENDING
  • Mobility
  • AI
  • FinTech
  • Software & SaaS
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Ukraine
    • Startups
    • Scaleups
    • FinTech
    • AI and chatbots
    • Travel & Mobility
    • Software & SaaS
    • Health & Medtech
    • (Crowd)funding
    • Blockchain
    • Internet of things
    • Hardware
    • Accelerators
    • E-commerce
    • Cybersecurity
    • Gaming & Virtual Reality
    • Drones
    • COVID-19
  • Features
    • How-to
    • Knowledge & Insights
    • Guest Contributions
  • Partners
    • Amsterdam
    • Rise by Techleap.nl
    • Fintech Files by AWS
    • Scaling-up in Europe
    • Blue Tulip Awards
    • Partner with us
    • Promoted content
  • Events
    • Technology Events in Europe
    • Submit your event
  • Jobs
  • About us
    • Partner with us
    • About
    • Team
    • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Home
  • News
    • Ukraine
    • Startups
    • Scaleups
    • FinTech
    • AI and chatbots
    • Travel & Mobility
    • Software & SaaS
    • Health & Medtech
    • (Crowd)funding
    • Blockchain
    • Internet of things
    • Hardware
    • Accelerators
    • E-commerce
    • Cybersecurity
    • Gaming & Virtual Reality
    • Drones
    • COVID-19
  • Features
    • How-to
    • Knowledge & Insights
    • Guest Contributions
  • Partners
    • Amsterdam
    • Rise by Techleap.nl
    • Fintech Files by AWS
    • Scaling-up in Europe
    • Blue Tulip Awards
    • Partner with us
    • Promoted content
  • Events
    • Technology Events in Europe
    • Submit your event
  • Jobs
  • About us
    • Partner with us
    • About
    • Team
    • Newsletter
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Silicon Canals
No Result
View All Result
This article is produced in collaboration with our partner StartupAmsterdam

Amsterdam-born Stream raises €31.8M Series B six months after its Series A round

Editorial team by Editorial team
March 5, 2021
in (Crowd)funding, Amsterdam, News, Promoted content
Stream

Image credit: Stream

56
SHARES
LinkedInTwitterWhatsAppFacebook

The pandemic made organisations around the world nervous, and some even succumbed to it. Amsterdam-born Stream is one of those startups that were initially worried about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, even though the initial impact of the pandemic was severe, the company’s Chat messaging platform API & SDKs proved to be a saviour for it. 

According to the company, it experienced a 517 per cent increase in revenue from its chat API product in 2020, while more than doubling its chat and activity feed user base to support over one billion end users.

- Partner content -
digital skills dutch workforce
Salesforce’s report on Dutch workforce’s digital skills
Has the Dutch workforce mastered all digital skills? Find out
Has the Dutch workforce mastered all digital skills? Find out Show Less
Read more

In an exclusive conversation with Silicon Canals, Stream’s co-founder & CEO Thierry Schellenbach, says, “Companies across all sectors have significantly beefed up their online operations in the past year, and messaging capabilities are an important component of that. We’ve especially seen an increase in demand for a chat solution from companies in healthcare, education and live events. The prevalence of telemedicine, remote learning and virtual events have contributed to our accelerated growth. We’ve seen these sectors grow seemingly overnight, but I think these use-cases are here to stay.”

In a recent development, Stream, the creator of the enterprise-grade activity feed and chat APIs, has raised $38M (approx €31.85M) in its Series B round of funding. With this round, the company has raised a total funding of $53M (approx €44.4M), to date.

The current funding follows the company’s $15M (approx €12.57M) Series A round, which it secured in August 2020.

Investors in the latest round

This current round was led by Felicis Ventures’ Aydin Senkut with participation from Series A lead investor GGV Capital and 01 Advisors.

Additional investors in the round include Olivier Pomel, CEO of Datadog; Tom Preston-Werner, co-founder of GitHub; Amsterdam-based Knight Capital; Johnny Boufarhat, founder and CEO of Hopin; and Selcuk Atli, co-founder and CEO of Bunch.

On being asked how the company raised this new round so quickly, Schellenbach replies, “We weren’t planning to seek additional funding until late 2021 at the earliest, however, we were introduced to Aydin Senkut (Founding and managing partner at Felicis Ventures) not too long after our Series A, and he expressed a lot of interest in our technology and vision.” 

“Because we weren’t on a timeline where we needed funding, it gave us the opportunity to have a dialogue over the course of several months and get to know each other. That cultivated a really strong partnership for Series B financing,” he further adds. 

Senkut, an original super angel turned multi-stage investor, is well-known for backing Shopify, Fitbit, Rovio, PluralSight, and API-focused startup Adyen.

What does Stream offer?

Stream is an enterprise-grade chat and activity feed provider. Its platform provides APIs to help product teams build chat and activity feeds for their applications. Stream claims to be a fast, scalable solution on the market today, that enables application product teams to increase user engagement and retention as well as decrease time to market.

Schellenbach says, “The API economy creates a golden age for engineers and product teams. With a proven API foundation to build on, teams go from concept to launch in a fraction of the time it would take to develop comparable functionality from scratch. The boost in efficiency allows engineers to focus on core features that differentiate their product instead of reinventing the wheel.”

The company was founded by Schellenbach and CTO Tommaso Barbugli in Amsterdam. It participated in the Techstars NYC accelerator program in 2015 and subsequently moved its headquarters to Boulder, Colorado. Today, Stream employs about 100 people in Amsterdam, Boulder, and remotely.

Stream’s products also include UI kit; scalable APIs; frontend components for React, React Native, Flutter, iOS, or Android; integrated machine learning; and a management dashboard.

Talking about the business model of Stream, Schellenbach says, “We sell the product over APIs. It’s very similar to what Twilio does. I think Twilio is probably one of the most similar companies. In the case of Stream, you make an API call to initiate a chat conversation or you make an API call to build the feed.”

The platform works with customers in sectors including healthcare, education, finance, virtual events, dating, and social. Some of its customers include TaskRabbit, NBC Sports, Unilever, Delivery Hero, Gojek, eToro, and Stanford University.

Stream is planning to invest in scaling its global team. In 2020, the team tripled in size, and with the recent funding round, the company will hire an estimated 50 people.

Why move from Europe to the US?

Back in September 2020, Schellenbach told us that one of the key reasons why he decided to move to the US was because fundraising in the US is easier than in Europe.

He said, “When we got started with Stream, I wanted to do fundraising in the US because fundraising in Europe was always very difficult. I think the fundraising ecosystem in Europe has been improving over the last couple of years, which is good and I think is very important for Dutch startups, but it was always a bit of a struggle. So that’s why we went to participate in Techstars New York because you need something to get that network going. And Techstars was very effective for that. I remember fundraising in Europe took us months to close rounds, which was really slow.”

He thinks it’s very hard for individual venture capitalists to change this. “VCs tend to focus on a particular stage. So it’s hard for any individual firm to change the whole ecosystem.”

Recalling an interesting incident, Schellenbach shared, “We did the demo day, and I still remember two days after the demo day I got an email from Dharmesh Shah (co-founder and CTO of HubSpot).”

In that email, Shah shared his struggles and said that he wanted to invest $100K (about €85.6K) in Stream, and since Shah was busy at the time, he did not care about the terms of the investment.

Schellenbach mentions that something like this never happened to him while he was operating in Europe.

 - Partner content -
How cybersecurity scaleup Intigriti conquered the world?
How cybersecurity scaleup Intigriti conquered the world?
Catch our interview with Paul Down, Head of Sales at Intigriti.
Catch our interview with Paul Down, Head of Sales at Intigriti. Show Less
Read more
Tags: amsterdamfeaturedfundingnews
Share4Tweet14SendShare22

Featured events

Current Month

may

28apr(apr 28)12:1331may(may 31)12:13FeaturedApplications for Techleap.nl’s Rise Batch 8 are open now

Techleap

Event Details

Are you an ambitious scaleup operating out of the Netherlands? Accelerate your growth with Techleap.nl’s Rise programme. Join their Batch #8!

Event Details

Are you an ambitious scaleup operating out of the Netherlands? Accelerate your growth with Techleap.nl’s Rise programme. Join their Batch #8!

Rise is an exclusive programme for serious tech players. In a trusted environment, scaleup founders share and discuss their growth challenges during tailor-made sessions with experienced entrepreneurs and scaling experts. Every quarter we select 10 companies to join the programme. It’s free, and we don’t seek equity. Check now if your company is eligible!

About Techleap

Techleap.nl’s programmes connect founders with scaling icons, industry experts and fellow tech entrepreneurs. It’s your chance to share challenges and hurdles with peers and established CEOs, and as a result, create favourable growth conditions for your business and overcome looming obstacles on your entrepreneurial path.

If you have any questions about the programme or the application process, please contact the Rise Batch Manager – Peter-Jan Kok at [email protected]p.nl.

Apply here.

more

Time

April 28 (Thursday) 12:13 - May 31 (Tuesday) 12:13

Learn More

CalendarGoogleCal

31mayAll Day02junFeaturedAre you ready for UpStream Festival 2022?

Upstream

Event Details

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to connect in Rotterdam.Welcome to the third edition of Upstream in

Event Details

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to connect in Rotterdam.

Welcome to the third edition of Upstream in Rotterdam

This year, over the course of 3 days, more than 40 co-creation partners have lined up 40+ events boasting more than 30 speakers with one thing in common: to promote and underline the necessity of a transition to a future proof economy.

Once again, the Rotterdam Metropolitan Area will transform into the place where startups, scale-ups, investors, bold corporates, policy makers and students come together to make a positive impact in the world. Are you one of them?

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to share, connect and create meaningful innovations for sustainable growth.

Save the date in your agenda and become a part of Upstream 2022!

Connecting the frontrunners. Introducing the changemakers. Driving a future proof economy

Program 31.05 – 02.06

3 days, 30+ speakers, 40+ events.

Tuesday May 31 – Upstream Capital Day 

  • Meet 25+ leading investors during House of Capital. 
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on raising capital with Rien Kamman (Source.ag), Machteld Groothuis (Rubio), Andre Kuipers (astronaut) and others.
  • Join one of 10 independently organized events.

Wednesday June 1st – Upstream Talent Day

  • Meet 20+ scale-ups with 1200+ jobs during the Career Fair. 
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on talent with Esther O’ Callaghan (Hundo Careers), Jeroen Klerkx (Picnic), Constantijn van Oranje (Techleap) and others.
  • Join one of 13 independently organized events.

Thursday June 2nd – Upstream Growth Day

  • Meet 30+ leading corporate buyers during Meet the Buyer.
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on international growth with speakers including Vivienne de Leeuw (Port of Rotterdam), Djordy Seelmann (Housing Anywhere) and Bas van Abel (Fairphone).
  • Join one of 15 independently organized events and the official closing party in Bird.

Join the daily networking drinks 17:30 – 18:30 in Bird Rotterdam.

Check out the programme here. The 3-day pass costs €45. However, you can get a 15 per cent discount on getting your ticket via Silicon Canals here.

more

Time

May 31 (Tuesday) - June 2 (Thursday)

Learn More

CalendarGoogleCal

june

31mayAll Day02junFeaturedAre you ready for UpStream Festival 2022?

Upstream

Event Details

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to connect in Rotterdam.Welcome to the third edition of Upstream in

Event Details

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to connect in Rotterdam.

Welcome to the third edition of Upstream in Rotterdam

This year, over the course of 3 days, more than 40 co-creation partners have lined up 40+ events boasting more than 30 speakers with one thing in common: to promote and underline the necessity of a transition to a future proof economy.

Once again, the Rotterdam Metropolitan Area will transform into the place where startups, scale-ups, investors, bold corporates, policy makers and students come together to make a positive impact in the world. Are you one of them?

We invite you, inspiring entrepreneurs, daring investors and bold corporates to share, connect and create meaningful innovations for sustainable growth.

Save the date in your agenda and become a part of Upstream 2022!

Connecting the frontrunners. Introducing the changemakers. Driving a future proof economy

Program 31.05 – 02.06

3 days, 30+ speakers, 40+ events.

Tuesday May 31 – Upstream Capital Day 

  • Meet 25+ leading investors during House of Capital. 
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on raising capital with Rien Kamman (Source.ag), Machteld Groothuis (Rubio), Andre Kuipers (astronaut) and others.
  • Join one of 10 independently organized events.

Wednesday June 1st – Upstream Talent Day

  • Meet 20+ scale-ups with 1200+ jobs during the Career Fair. 
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on talent with Esther O’ Callaghan (Hundo Careers), Jeroen Klerkx (Picnic), Constantijn van Oranje (Techleap) and others.
  • Join one of 13 independently organized events.

Thursday June 2nd – Upstream Growth Day

  • Meet 30+ leading corporate buyers during Meet the Buyer.
  • Listen to inspiring fireside chats on international growth with speakers including Vivienne de Leeuw (Port of Rotterdam), Djordy Seelmann (Housing Anywhere) and Bas van Abel (Fairphone).
  • Join one of 15 independently organized events and the official closing party in Bird.

Join the daily networking drinks 17:30 – 18:30 in Bird Rotterdam.

Check out the programme here. The 3-day pass costs €45. However, you can get a 15 per cent discount on getting your ticket via Silicon Canals here.

more

Time

May 31 (Tuesday) - June 2 (Thursday)

Learn More

CalendarGoogleCal

Taets Art and Events ParkHemskade 16, 1506 PR Zaandam

16junAll Day17FeaturedTNW Conference

Event Details

Join TNW Conference in Amsterdam on June 16 & 17 to all you need to know about the latest market killers and breakout tech, connect with the industry’s who’s-who, and

Event Details

Join TNW Conference in Amsterdam on June 16 & 17 to all you need to know about the latest market killers and breakout tech, connect with the industry’s who’s-who, and turn your business meetings upside down on our ferris wheel… With endless networking opportunities, the world’s boldest voices, and unrivaled party vibes, this year’s TNW Conference will be off the charts!

Time

june 16 (Thursday) - 17 (Friday)

Location

Taets Art and Events Park

Hemskade 16, 1506 PR Zaandam

Learn More

CalendarGoogleCal

Partner content | Work with us

Are you ready for Upstream Festival 2022?

European Startups can expand to Asia through the South Korean Government’s K-Startup Grand Challenge

Running a small business? These 5 tips can create a domino effect of productivity across your entire company

Triller acquires Dutch DJ Sam Feldt’s Fangage to expand its platform for creators

Sweden’s Gimi partners with Dutch bank ABN AMRO to help young people manage and understand their finances

Silicon Canals | Jobs


Breaking news from Amsterdam | Partner

Meet Joanna Invests, Amsterdam’s new women-led investment firm for female founders; backs We Are Eves in first deal

World Bee Day 2022: Check out these Amsterdam-based startups and initiatives protecting the bee population 

Amsterdam’s SingularityNET and its spin-off project SingularityDAO sign a €23.6M capital commitment

Amsterdam’s The Social Handshake raises €1.1M to help employees support charities directly from their salaries

  • About Silicon Canals
  • Partner with Silicon Canals
  • Contact us
  • Newsletter
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy (UK)
  • Cookie Policy (EU)
  • Terms & Conditions Silicon Canals

Silicon Canals 2014-2022 | Website: Bright Idiots

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Ukraine
    • Startups
    • Scaleups
    • FinTech
    • AI and chatbots
    • Travel & Mobility
    • Software & SaaS
    • Health & Medtech
    • (Crowd)funding
    • Blockchain
    • Internet of things
    • Hardware
    • Accelerators
    • E-commerce
    • Cybersecurity
    • Gaming & Virtual Reality
    • Drones
    • COVID-19
  • Features
    • How-to
    • Knowledge & Insights
    • Guest Contributions
  • Partners
    • Amsterdam
    • Rise by Techleap.nl
    • Fintech Files by AWS
    • Scaling-up in Europe
    • Blue Tulip Awards
    • Partner with us
    • Promoted content
  • Events
    • Technology Events in Europe
    • Submit your event
  • Jobs
  • About us
    • Partner with us
    • About
    • Team
    • Newsletter
  • Contact

Silicon Canals 2014-2022 | Website: Bright Idiots

Stay updated with the Silicon Canals daily and weekly newsletters.
We promise we won't spam you. You can choose to unsubscribe anytime.
Stay updated with the Silicon Canals daily and weekly newsletters.
We promise we won't spam you. You can choose to unsubscribe anytime.
Silicon Canals
Manage your privacy

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Statistics

Marketing

Features
Always active

Always active
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
X
X