Berlin-based Lendorse raises €1.75M to increase access to higher education for global talent

Berlin, June 05^th, 2025 – Lendorse, the Berlin-based startup removing financial barriers for driven international students, has raised €1.75 million in a funding round co-led by LUMO Labs and Soulmates Ventures, with participation from PI Impact and angel investor Daniel Naber.

Each year, millions of international students are accepted into higher education programs but must walk away – not due to a lack of talent, but because they can’t afford it.

Lendorse is building a comprehensive ecosystem that enables ambitious, skilled individuals to reach their full potential. Through its digital platform, the company provides upfront financing to cover tuition and living expenses. Unlike traditional loans, repayment is only required once graduates succeed professionally and is based on a committed fixed percentage of their future income.

The €1.75 million new investment will be used to further develop Lendorse’s product and scale the team to meet growing demand. With a massive market need and growing institutional support, Lendorse is well-positioned to scale its impact and deliver long-term value for both investors and the next generation of global-minded professionals.

“Behind every Lendorse investment, there is a student with a dream and the drive to pursue it. We’re not just covering costs, we are removing barriers and opening doors to opportunities that can redefine a future,” says Bjoern Christian Wolf, Lendorse co-founder and CEO.

Beyond financing, Lendorse offers tailored career guidance and integration tools – giving international talent not just access to education, but a pathway to long-term success in Europe’s academic and professional landscape.

Dagmar van Ravenswaay Claasen, Partner at LUMO Labs clarifies: “At the core of Lendorse’s platform is a proprietary underwriting engine that evaluates each applicant based on academic performance, career trajectory, and personal motivation. This data-driven model enables fast, consistent and fair funding decisions, ensuring that support flows to individuals with the motivation to succeed in top academic and professional environments. We are very happy to support the further development and roll-out of this very impactful and scalable platform.”

Access to leading universities remains difficult for many, even for students with strong motivation and clear potential.

“Empowering the brightest students and fostering a more resilient and secure future is the mission of the Lendorse team. Supporting ambition, driving innovation and growth across Europe is crucial. Equal access to education is key for this, especially for talented international students often excluded from common financing options. We are proud to support a team that unlocks potential at scale,” says Michal Sikyta, Investment Director at Soulmates Ventures.

Lotte Stoltenborgh from PI Impact adds – “The relentless drive and commitment of Lendorse’s founders and team is exceptional. We are very much looking forward to being part of their journey going forward.”

Founded in 2022 by Bjoern Christian Wolf, Evgenii Avdeev and Hannah Sharpe, Lendorse is building a comprehensive financial, educational, and career ecosystem for high‑skilled internationals in Europe.

Previously backed by Techstars, Earlybird Vision Lab, Evergryn Ventures, 4OS Capital, and Vealo Ventures, Lendorse has already demonstrated strong early traction.

The company was recently awarded the Skills and Education Guarantee by the European Investment Fund (EIF) – a strong endorsement of its mission and model.