TENCENT(HK:00700) 36氪·2025-12-09 00:27Core Insights - Airwallex has successfully completed a Series G funding round of $330 million, achieving a valuation of $8 billion, which represents a nearly 30% increase from the previous round [4] - The funding will accelerate Airwallex's expansion in the U.S. and key global markets, with significant participation from notable investors such as Addition, T. Rowe Price, and Lingotto [4] - Airwallex's annual revenue is projected to exceed $1 billion by October 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 90%, and its annual transaction volume is expected to double to $235 billion [5] Funding and Growth - The company has secured over 80 licenses globally, enabling operations in over 200 countries, and currently serves more than 200,000 clients [5] - Airwallex plans to establish a second global headquarters in San Francisco, aiming to double its U.S. team to over 400 people within a year [5] - The contribution of North America and Europe to Airwallex's revenue has increased to nearly 40%, a significant rise from being negligible a few years ago [5] Company History and Challenges - Founded in a Melbourne café, Airwallex has evolved into a prominent fintech unicorn, nearing an IPO [6] - The company faced multiple near-death experiences and rejections from investors, highlighting the challenges of building a global financial infrastructure [6][7] - The initial investment of $1 million from Lucy Liu, which was made without formal contracts, marked the beginning of Airwallex's journey [13] Key Investment Rounds - The Series A round was critical, with investments from Sequoia China and Tencent, which provided essential backing and opened doors to Asian and global markets [22][24] - Airwallex experienced a dramatic increase in transaction volume in 2018, driven by the rapid expansion of global financial infrastructure and the surge in cross-border e-commerce [26] - The company rejected a $1.2 billion acquisition offer from Stripe, choosing instead to focus on building a comprehensive financial platform [30] Recent Developments - By 2023, Airwallex achieved profitability, maintaining an annual growth rate of over 100% since its inception [36] - The company has successfully navigated various funding rounds, with significant investments from firms like DST Global and Hedosophia, further solidifying its market position [34][35] - Airwallex's journey reflects a blend of visionary entrepreneurship and strategic investment decisions that have shaped its trajectory in the fintech landscape [36]