plaid raises $425m series d from altimeter as it charts a post-visa future
Plaid Secures $425 Million in Series D Funding
Plaid, the company facilitating connections between consumer bank accounts and financial applications, has announced a successful $425 million Series D funding round. Sources indicate that this new investment, spearheaded by Altimeter Capital, establishes the company’s valuation at approximately $13.4 billion.
Independent Path Following Visa Deal Collapse
The capital raise comes as no surprise, particularly considering Plaid was previously targeted for acquisition by consumer credit leader Visa. Following the termination of the proposed $5.3 billion sale earlier this year, Plaid opted to pursue an independent growth trajectory.
The failure of the Visa acquisition was widely viewed positively within the startup and venture capital communities. Many believed Plaid’s strong performance in 2020 justified a valuation exceeding the initially offered price.
New Investors Join the Round
This Series D valuation validates that sentiment. Alongside Altimeter Capital, the investment round attracted two additional new investors: Silver Lake Partners and Ribbit Capital. Silver Lake is a prominent private equity firm managing substantial assets, while Ribbit Capital is well-known for its numerous investments in the fintech sector.
This combination of investors provides Plaid with a blend of financial scale, experienced guidance, and specialized fintech expertise.
CEO on Future Plans and Growth
Plaid CEO Zachary Perret explained to TechCrunch that Altimeter Capital was chosen as the lead investor due to a shared vision for the future of consumer financial services. He expressed enthusiasm for learning from the new investors and leveraging their support for long-term growth.
Perret also briefly alluded to a potential future IPO, though a public offering is not anticipated in the immediate future. His acknowledgement of long-term financial objectives was noteworthy.
Strategic Use of Capital
Regarding the funding amount, Perret stated that it represents an optimal level of capital to enable Plaid to invest in scaling both its team and its product offerings. The funds will also allow the company to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
The past year has been a period of significant activity for Plaid. The CEO highlighted the rapid evolution of digital consumer financial services over the last twelve months.
Growth Metrics and Market Position
Plaid reported a 60% increase in its customer base during 2020, representing an acceleration in growth compared to previous years. The company’s headcount expanded by approximately 20% in the first quarter, bringing the total number of employees to around 650.
Plaid operates within a thriving fintech landscape. Monitoring the expansion of companies that utilize Plaid’s services provides valuable insight into its growth potential.
The company is now well-positioned to address both domestic and international competition, bolstered by its recent funding.
Alex Wilhelm
Alex Wilhelm's Background and Contributions
Alex Wilhelm previously held the position of senior reporter at TechCrunch. His reporting focused on the dynamics of financial markets, venture capital activities, and the startup ecosystem.
Reporting Focus at TechCrunch
Wilhelm’s work at TechCrunch centered around providing in-depth coverage of the business side of technology. This included analyzing market trends and reporting on investment deals.
Equity Podcast
Beyond his written reporting, Wilhelm was the original host of the Equity podcast produced by TechCrunch. The podcast gained significant recognition, earning a Webby Award for its quality and insightful content.
Equity is known for its analysis of the venture capital world and the companies it funds. Wilhelm’s hosting played a key role in establishing the podcast’s reputation.
Key Areas of Expertise
- Markets: Wilhelm possesses a strong understanding of financial markets and their impact on the tech industry.
- Venture Capital: He is well-versed in the intricacies of venture capital funding and investment strategies.
- Startups: His reporting provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by startups.
Wilhelm’s contributions to TechCrunch encompassed both written journalism and audio content creation, solidifying his position as a prominent voice in the tech media landscape.