Hyperline Secures $10 Million Funding - Automated Billing Platform

Hyperline Aims to Redefine Billing Solutions

The French company Hyperline is developing a next-generation billing platform, positioned as a potential successor to Chargebee. For the last two years, they have focused on creating a comprehensive system capable of managing recurring subscriptions, one-time purchases, and usage-based billing models.

Recent Funding and Growth

Hyperline initially secured €4 million in funding from Index Ventures in 2023, equivalent to approximately $4.1 million based on current exchange rates. Index Ventures is further demonstrating its confidence in Hyperline’s potential by providing an additional $10 million in investment.

The Challenges of Scaling Billing Operations

While billing may appear simple initially, it quickly becomes complex as a business expands. Founder and CEO Lucas Bédout explained to TechCrunch that the daily operational tasks associated with billing are particularly time-consuming, especially when managing over 200 or 300 customers.

Daily tasks often involve verifying the accuracy of pricing, addressing missing invoice items, and processing partial reimbursements. Furthermore, automatic payment failures occur with some regularity due to various reasons.

A Shift Towards Automation

Hyperline’s initial goal was to improve upon existing tools like Chargebee. However, Bédout notes that the billing landscape has evolved significantly. “A 20% improvement isn’t enough anymore,” he stated. “Customers now prioritize automation and seek to eliminate manual invoice processing, reminder sending, and quote creation.”

Flexible Pricing Models and Invoice Management

Beyond standard subscription management, Hyperline supports diverse pricing structures. Clients have the ability to establish custom pricing dynamically and incorporate usage-based billing, allowing customers to pay only for the resources they consume. The platform also directly manages invoice creation and delivery.

Payment Orchestration

Hyperline doesn’t directly handle payment processing itself, but instead streamlines the entire process. “We oversee the complete value chain, excluding payments,” Bédout clarified. “However, our approach to payments is quite innovative; we function as an orchestrator.”

Hyperline’s customers avoid direct interaction with payment processors. The platform serves as a unified interface for interacting with providers like Stripe, GoCardless, and Airwallex.

Integration with Existing Systems

Users typically begin with Hyperline’s web interface. Integration with CRM systems enables sales teams to generate quotes directly within their existing workflow. Connections to accounting software facilitate invoice processing and payment reconciliation.

An API is also available, offering a powerful tool for synchronizing events directly from a data warehouse, particularly beneficial for usage-based billing scenarios.

Team Growth and Current Clients

Currently, Hyperline employs 14 individuals, with plans to expand to 25 in the coming months. Their client base includes companies such as Lokki, Malou, ScorePlay, Gladia, and Formance.

Target Market and Future Expansion

Bédout indicated that the majority of their current customers generate between €3 and €10 million in annual revenue. However, Hyperline is confident in its ability to serve larger organizations with substantial invoice volumes.

This expansion will likely involve collaboration with integration partners, a strategy Hyperline is already actively exploring.