FRESHA RAISES $80M FROM KKR AT $1B+ VALUATION

AI DESK■ 1 MIN READ

SAT, MAY 23, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 2 SOURCES ▸ TIMELINE

Beauty and wellness booking marketplace Fresha secured $80 million in growth equity funding from KKR's Next Generation Technology Growth fund. The London-based company has now raised $285 million total and achieved unicorn status.

Fresha operates a booking platform connecting consumers with beauty and wellness service providers. The marketplace enables salons, spas, and wellness practitioners to manage appointments and customer relationships. The $80 million Series C round values the company at over $1 billion, marking a significant milestone for the five-year-old startup. KKR's investment signals confidence in Fresha's business model and market position. The funding brings Fresha's total capital raised to $285 million. Previous investors include Index Ventures and other growth-stage backers. The company plans to use the new capital for product development, geographic expansion, and strengthening its platform infrastructure. Fresha operates across multiple markets and continues expanding its presence in the beauty and wellness sector, competing in a space that has seen increased digital transformation in appointment booking and business management.

■ SOURCES

► Techmeme ► Techmeme

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

■ MORE FROM THE STARTUPS DESK

P783HARVARD DROPOUT RAISES $6M FOR POLICE LEGAL AI

Blue Voice, an app providing real-time legal and policy guidance to police officers, has raised $6 million in seed funding led by SignalFire and Las Olas VC. The startup positions itself as 'Harvey for police officers,' referencing the AI legal assistant.

5H AGO— AI Desk

P779VENTURE BACKER FUNDS INDIAN STARTUP ON YEAR-LONG FLIGHT MISSION

Lachy Groom has backed Alteon, an Indian startup founded by a 20-year-old that is developing autonomous aircraft capable of staying aloft for months by harvesting wind energy.

7H AGO— AI Desk

P770CIRCLEBACK LAUNCHES FREE TIER FOR MEETING NOTES

Meeting notetaker Circleback is introducing a free tier alongside new paid plans starting at $14 per month. The move aims to expand its user base by lowering barriers to entry.

10H AGO— Industry Desk

P767CLAY VALUED AT $7B IN WELLINGTON-LED FUNDING

AI sales and marketing startup Clay is raising a new funding round led by Wellington at a $7 billion pre-money valuation, up from $5 billion following an employee tender offer in January.

10H AGO— AI Desk

◄ BACK TO NEWS

FRESHA RAISES $80M FROM KKR AT $1B+ VALUATION

■ MORE FROM THE STARTUPS DESK

■ SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY BRIEF