logo
Dojo announces landmark investment of $190 million from Vitruvian Partners

Dojo announces landmark investment of $190 million from Vitruvian Partners

Yahoo28-05-2025

LONDON, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dojo, the leading UK payments technology provider, today announces it has secured an investment of $190 million from Vitruvian Partners, a leading global growth investment firm. The investment marks the first equity raise in Dojo's history. The funds enable Dojo to significantly accelerate the company's continued growth in the UK and expansion across European markets. Dojo's mission is to reinvent the payments landscape to grow in-person commerce. Its next-generation cloud-native platform offers the flexibility to meet the evolving needs of enterprises. Dojo processes between 6 and 9 million transactions per day, delivering super-fast transactions and "always-on" connectivity to its customers.
Since its launch in 2021 Dojo has grown rapidly, becoming an SME champion, and increasingly winning and supporting larger enterprises thanks to its highly scalable end-to-end platform. It brings a deep commitment to understand and meet the needs of its customers, from small, often family-run businesses, to some of the most recognised high street brands. As a result, Dojo has delivered exceptional growth – securing a leading market share in the UK, and engaging with 50 million unique consumer cards monthly.
The investment will help Dojo build on its strong track record and accelerate its strategic growth plans, enabling it to scale across key European markets, including Ireland, Italy, and Spain. This will create a much larger addressable market for Dojo to leverage its highly scalable technology.
Vitruvian brings strong experience in the fintech and payments sector, with a proven ability to identify and scale disruptive, ambitious businesses such as Dojo. Through the investment, Vitruvian will work in partnership with the management team to support Dojo's growth ambitions.
Francois Callens, Chief Financial Officer at Dojo, said: "In a short space of time, our game-changing technology and proven customer proposition has enabled us to become the market leader in the UK. Our ambition doesn't stop here. Dojo has a large and exciting opportunity ahead, and with the support of Vitruvian, we have the investment to deliver on our plans to scale our growth and enable in-person commerce across Europe.
"The investment is testament to the hard work from our team and the deep support from our partners and customers over the past four years. We are proud to demonstrate that the UK tech sector can attract global investment, and look forward to working with Vitruvian to deliver our shared ambition of bringing our technology to more Enterprises and becoming a leader in card payments in Europe."
Stephen Byrne, Partner at Vitruvian Partners, said: "We're delighted to be partnering with Dojo at this critical point on their growth journey. The Dojo team have built next-generation technology that is disrupting card payments and believe they are well-positioned to benefit from an ongoing, fundamental shift towards embedded and integrated payments. Vitruvian's investment in Dojo builds on our track record in the payments sector and we look forward to providing capital and support to accelerate Dojo's growth."
-ENDS-
J.P. Morgan Securities PLC acted as Sole Placement Agent on the raise.
About Dojo
Dojo is a leading payment technology provider that empowers over 140,000 businesses to grow their in-person commerce. Dojo offers one of the world's leading multi cloud-native payments platforms to provide in-person and digital payments solutions alongside value-added services such as business funding and booking management software. Dojo's highly reliable technology can be installed in a matter of minutes - giving businesses big and small the power to make informed decisions through instant insight and process, manage and measure card payments securely and easily.
About Vitruvian Partners
Vitruvian Partners is a global growth-focused investor with offices across London, Stockholm, Munich, Madrid, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Singapore, Shanghai, Miami, and San Francisco. Vitruvian focuses on dynamic situations characterised by rapid growth and change across asset-light industries. Vitruvian has over $20 billion of active funds which have backed many global winners and leaders in their sectors, including Just Eat, EasyPark, Skyscanner, Marqeta, Wise, Global-e, CFC, Darktrace, and Bitdefender. Further information can be found at www.vitruvianpartners.com
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250528171676/en/
Contacts
Media contact Dwight Burden / Katherine Belldwight.burden@fticonsulting.com / katherine.bell@fticonsulting.com 07850710242 / 07976870961

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

China's grueling ‘996' work culture is being debated by European startups — 7 founders and VCs on why they are resisting
China's grueling ‘996' work culture is being debated by European startups — 7 founders and VCs on why they are resisting

CNBC

time6 hours ago

  • CNBC

China's grueling ‘996' work culture is being debated by European startups — 7 founders and VCs on why they are resisting

The European startup scene was recently shaken by a LinkedIn debate with some venture capitalists applying pressure on founders to embrace a culture of overwork to compete on a global stage. The "996" work culture reigns supreme in China and has been adopted by various tech giants including Jack Ma's Alibaba and Bytedance's TikTok, but the system has also been the subject of much protest in recent years. Tech workers in Europe told CNBC in 2021 that they're turning down job offers, rejecting interviews, or even quitting their roles, upon learning of TikTok's 996 work culture. Sebastian Becker, general partner at Switzerland-based VC company Redalpine added to the debate on LinkedIn by addressing the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has called for removal of the legal work limit of eight hours per day in Germany in a bid to increase efficiency, while keeping the 40-hour week. Becker said Merz' proposal doesn't go far enough, as "40 hours a week won't cut it." "In Silicon Valley, 60-70 hour weeks aren't the exception — they even have a term for it: 996 — 9am to 9pm, six days a week... we can have the same amount of smart, ambitious people, but if we're consistently being outworked, we won't win," Becker said. Index Ventures Partner Martin Mignot in London explained on LinkedIn that 996 originated in China and has "quietly become the norm" at startups internationally. Part of the reason behind this most recent push is that there's a persistent view that Europe's tech and startup scene is lagging behind the U.S. and China, both of which have produced tech giants and are known for intense work cultures. However, Suranga Chandratillake, general partner at Balderton Capital, told CNBC Make It that these views are outdated as Europe has produced deca-corns in recent years— companies worth more than $10 billion including Klarna, Revolut, Wise, and The continent has yet to produce a trillion-dollar tech firm like Nvidia. "The European tech market and ecosystem is keeping up today with the U.S. and Asia... back in the 1980s the European tech scene was behind the tech scene on the West Coast of the US, but that's not the case now," Chandratillake said in an interview. The calls for Europe to adopt the 996 work culture sparked a wave of backlash. CNBC spoke with seven European startup founders and VCs on why they disagree. The obsession with China's 996 or Silicon Valley's 24/7 work culture emerges from a glorification of hustle culture in the startup landscape, founders and VCs said. "It's about a fetishization of overwork rather than smart work…it's a myth," Chandratillake said. "California is very good at telling stories and there's a lot of mythmaking around the concept of what startups look like…. there is hard work involved but if you really spend time in that ecosystem, you will discover that lots of people work really hard, but there are also periods where they don't work." Nina Mohanty, a Silicon Valley native and founder of London-based Bloom Money, said there are actually "lasting effects and unintended consequences" to adopting an aggressive overwork culture, "You only have to think about Revolut and the culture that they have is probably the closest that we've seen in Europe to the 996 culture, and they struggled," Mohanty told CNBC. "Their churn rate was incredibly high within their team, and they even struggled to get their banking license, and their culture was actually cited as one of those reasons." For its part, Revolut told CNBC it operates in a "high-growth, high-performance environment." "In line with this, we've evolved how we support our people: through value-based behaviours, structured development, and a culture that's collaborative, challenging, and built for scale," a spokesperson from Revolut said. Noa Khamallah, general partner at Don't Quit Ventures, pointed out that there's "no need for 996" and that these values are often at odds with both the European mindset and regulation. "Europe's most successful companies — from Spotify to SAP to ASML — didn't achieve dominance through overwork but through sustainable innovation cultures," Khamallah said. He offered the examples of Silicon Valley's Uber and Meta, both companies that expanded into Europe and faced massive regulatory pushback. "These examples reveal how Silicon Valley's 'move fast and break things' ethos often breaks against European values around worker rights, privacy, and sustainable business practices," Khamallah said. An always-on culture decreases retention and creates a revolving door of talent, Sarah Wernér, co-founder of Husmus, told CNBC. "Overwork today is a productivity crisis tomorrow," Wernér said. "Personally, I hope my competitors are doing 996. It makes poaching great people a lot easier when they decide they've had enough." Dama Sathianathan, a senior partner at Bethnal Green Ventures said it's unhelpful to "prescribe" working hours, especially if it means putting workers' wellbeing at risk. "Optimizing labor doesn't always lead to better productivity, or help with differentiating from other companies long-term, if you've made work devoid of meaning," Sathianathan explained. Meanwhile, the youngest generation at work are less likely to put up with overworking and tend to prioritize work-life balance. Jas Schembri-Stothart, founder of Luna, a health and wellness app for teen girls, said 996 will drive young talent away from European startups. "People may tolerate overwork for a while, but eventually it leads to churn and even resentment, especially with Gen Z and younger millennials, there's much less tolerance for toxic hustle cultures," Schembri-Stothart said. Founders insist that instead of increasing working hours, startups need more funding and resources to position themselves as key players in the global startup scene. "What Europe really needs isn't more hustle-porn it's more aggressive funding," Wernér said. "With the right level of capital, our startups can hire enough talent to work intensely without breaking themselves. If a team of 10 is burning out to keep up with a 50-person U.S. VC or Chinese government-backed startup, the problem isn't their stamina, it's their cap table." In fact, since 2015 Europe's tech startups have missed out on nearly $375 billion in growth-stage funding, with founders losing out on a potential $300 billion in European investments, according to Atomico's State of European Tech report published in 2024. Additionally, one in two companies raising funding turn to the U.S. for capital rather than Europe. "What European startups really need is access to the right resources — funding, talent, and support — to grow, innovate quickly, and scale effectively," Schembri-Stothart said. "The venture landscape in the U.S. is a different ballgame altogether, and it's tough to compete with that without a stronger ecosystem here. Founders acknowledged that the startup life requires intense hustle and grind, but it's a more nuanced picture than just adopting 996. Timothy Armoo, co-founder and former CEO of Fanbytes, an influencer marketing firm that he sold for eight figures in 2022, told CNBC that he's a "huge supporter" of this new 996 push, but admitted that timing is key. "I think there are seasons but I also think that if you are a first-time founder or if your primary goal is basically wealth creation, I'll be very candid, if this is your season, and you're stepping back, then you're not serious about it," he said. Armoo said there are no excuses because AI allows entrepreneurs to be maximally efficient as it can reduce certain time-consuming manual tasks. Meanwhile, Bloom Money's Mohanty, said that when she's not sleeping, she's working. "I think early stage teams tend to almost unknowingly or without actually saying it, work the 996 life, because when you are early stage, you just have to hustle harder with less, and especially if you're the founder, you're always on and always working, and it can be very, very difficult to turn off." Schembri-Stothart draws the line at exploiting her team to produce more work. "It's my choice to work at the weekend, but I'd never expect that on my team, it's definitely not glorified to push your teams to breaking point. Silicon Valley tech exec Dion McKenzie warned that expectations of a 996 culture could make VC funding even more out of reach for early-stage startups. "My fear is that as these new norms and trends become the status quo and benchmarks for getting funded, it excludes so many brilliant founders that value their mental health and/or can't commit to a 996 due to caregiving responsibilities or being a parent," Mckenzie said.

The cheapest grocery stores in 2025 have been named — and the first-place winner is expanding in NYC
The cheapest grocery stores in 2025 have been named — and the first-place winner is expanding in NYC

Yahoo

time10 hours ago

  • Yahoo

The cheapest grocery stores in 2025 have been named — and the first-place winner is expanding in NYC

Check out these checkouts. As food prices are expected to rise by up to 3.5% in 2025, according to the USDA, many Americans are looking for ways to keep their grocery bills in check. A recent study by MarketForce, which surveyed over 4,300 shoppers, highlights the grocery stores that best balance affordability with quality. Whether it's inflation, supply chain issues or simply the high cost of living, everyone could use a break at checkout. Here's your chance, according to the roundup, with seven grocers helping customers stretch their dollars without sacrificing taste or freshness. Lidl has been a rising star in the U.S. discount grocery scene, especially in NYC, where it has been expanding locations, including in Brooklyn. The store layout is inspired by European roots, which helps Lidl keep its overhead low by minimizing staffing and using a streamlined warehouse-style setup. This helps reduce costs for shoppers, making it one of the most budget-friendly options for families. According to the MarketForce study, an impressive 81.4% of customers return to Lidl because of its unbeatable value. The store's affordable pricing is made better with the quality of its products, the report notes. In addition to the usual grocery items, Lidl also surprises customers with seasonal and non-food items, from power tools to potted plants. If you've ever dreamed of paying Costco prices without the membership fee, WinCo Foods is where it's at. This employee-owned chain has become a household name in many parts of the U.S., with 139 locations spread across 10 states. WinCo operates a warehouse-style model focusing on low prices by cutting out the middleman. It buys directly from manufacturers and even has customers bag their own groceries. The strategy must be working: a whopping 73.1% of shoppers cited value for money as their main reason for frequenting WinCo. Its bulk sections are also noted as a treasure trove for those seeking to stock up on essentials like flour, rice and dried goods at steep discounts. Grocery Outlet's business model revolves around selling overstocked or discontinued items at discounted prices. Locations vary by region, but the appeal is universal: customers can score big on both name-brand and private-label products. Fresh produce, dairy and meat are always stocked, while their natural and organic sections offer a variety of specialty items like vegan and gluten-free foods — often for less than what you'd find at other places. Notably, 71.4% of shoppers reported returning to Grocery Outlet for the exceptional value it provides. Aldi's reputation for value is legendary — and the numbers don't lie. The MarketForce study found that 70.4% of shoppers favor Aldi for the exceptional value it offers. With a European-inspired model, Aldi keeps costs low by minimizing staff, using simple displays, and encouraging customers to bag their own groceries. Despite this no-frills approach, Aldi shoppers can find everything from pasta and canned goods to frozen items and fresh produce. If you're looking to make your budget stretch even further, Aldi is also home to great deals on dairy, baked goods and even alcohol. Known for its vast selection of high-quality store-brand products, Wegmans is a favorite among many shoppers, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region. The family-owned grocer boasts more than 110 stores and has become well-known for its excellent customer service and affordable prices. A solid 68.7% of MarketForce respondents cited value for money as their main reason for choosing Wegmans. Wegmans stands out for its wide range of organic and healthy food options, from fresh produce to gluten-free snacks. The grocer expanded to Long Island earlier this year and continues to extend its reach beyond the Northeast. Despite its smaller footprint compared to traditional grocery stores, about 67.2% of study participants mentioned that they return because of the store's value. While it's famous for its affordable and fun frozen-food options, much-beloved Trader Joe's also serves up fresh produce, unique snacks, seasonal items and high-quality private-label goods. While Costco may require a membership, the savings it offers can make it worth the investment. Known for its bulk-buying model, Costco allows customers to purchase everything from household essentials to luxury items at steeply discounted prices. Whether it's buying a year's supply of toilet paper, a bulk pack of fresh fruit, gourmet cheeses or pantry staples, according to the MarketForce study, 61.4% of customers return to Costco for its impressive deals.

China to fast-track applications for rare-earth minerals to US, EU
China to fast-track applications for rare-earth minerals to US, EU

UPI

time11 hours ago

  • UPI

China to fast-track applications for rare-earth minerals to US, EU

A rare earth mine is in Ganxian county in central China's Jiangxi province. Photo by EPA-ESE June 7 (UPI) -- China has agreed to fast-track approvals for the shipment of rare earth minerals to the United States and some European Union nations. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke Thursday about easing trade tensions. On Saturday, China's Minister Seceary Wang Wentao said his nation is "willing to establish a green channel for qualified applications to speed up approval." Details weren't given, including the speed of the process and which EU nations are included. China controls 90% of the global processing of rare earth minerals. Major deposits also are found in the United States, Australia and Russia. Smaller amounts are in Canada, India, South Africa and Southeast Asia. Rare earth minerals are in the Earth's crust, making them difficult to extract. They include lanthanide, scandium and yttrium, all on the Periodic Table of Elements. Some major minerals that contain rare earth elements are bastnasite, monazite, loparite and laterite clays. The first rare-earth mineral was discovered in 1787 -- gadolinite, a black mineral composed of cerium, yttrium, iron, silicon and other elements. U.S. needs rare earth minerals The minerals are critical to American industries and defense, including use in cars and fighter jets. Batteries contain the minerals Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday "there should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of rare Earth products." On April 29, the United States and Ukraine created a Reconstruction Investment Fund that includes rare earth mineral rights in the European nation. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were originally set to sign the minerals deal on Feb. 28, but the plan was scrapped after a tense exchange between them in the Oval Office in which Trump accused him of "gambling with World War III." The United States wants access to more than 20 raw materials in Ukraine, including some non-minerals, such as oil and natural gas, as well as titanium, lithium, graphite and manganese. The Chinese commerce ministry confirmed some applications have been approved without specifying industries covered. Some Chinese suppliers have recently received six-month export licenses, the American Chamber of Commerce in China said Friday, but it noted that there is a backlog of license applications. In a survey of member companies conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China late week, 75% say their stock would run out within three months, CNN reported. Jens Eskelund, the chamber president, said member companies were "still struggling" with the situation. "I hadn't realized just how important this rare earth card was before. Now the U.S. side is clearly anxious and eager to resolve this issue," he said a video on Thursday. "But of course, we'll link this issue to others -- the U.S. is restricting China on chips and jet engines, then China certainly has every reason to make use of this card. "As for whether China will change its rare earth export control policy, that probably still needs to be negotiated in more detail," Jin added. Trump said Xi and himself "straightened out" some points related to rare earth magnets, calling it "very complex stuff." The U.S. federal government said China had reneged on its promise made in Geneva on May 12. Delegations from Beijing and Washington plan to meet in Great Britain on Monday for trade negotiations. At the height of tariff war, China had imposed export restrictions on some minerals on April 4. Trump two days planned a 120% "reciprocal" tax on top of 25% levy on Chinese goods. But one week later it paused the bigger tariffs, including on other countries for 90 days. European nations' needs China's commerce ministry pledged to address the EU's concerns and establish a "green channel" for eligible applications to expedite approvals. He went to Brussels, Belgium, earlier this week and met with European Union's trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic. It's a problem for China and the EU. Sefcovic said the pause was slowing deliveries for manufacturers of a wide range of items from cars to washing machines. Wang urged the EU to "take effective measures to facilitate, safeguard and promote compliant trade of high-tech products to China." On Friday, the European Chamber, a Beijing lobby group, warned progress had "not been sufficient" to prevent severe supply chain disruptions for many companies.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store