Amsterdam-based fintech startup Klearly has secured €12 million in Series A funding as it doubles down on a focused ambition: fixing in-person payments for restaurants, bars, and clubs across Europe.
The round was led by PayPal Ventures, with participation from Italian Founders Fund and returning investors Global PayTech Ventures, Antler Elevate, and Shapers. The fresh capital will support Klearly’s expansion beyond its home market, particularly into Italy and Belgium, while accelerating product development and team growth.
Founded in 2022, Klearly positions itself as a specialist in hospitality payments—an area the company argues has long been underserved by generic, one-size-fits-all payment solutions. Rather than replacing point-of-sale systems, Klearly integrates directly with existing restaurant POS software, acting as a dedicated payment layer built for the realities of in-person service.
“Hospitality is fundamentally different from retail,” said Sam Koekoek, CEO of Klearly. “Restaurants need payments that work seamlessly with service flow, staffing, and guest experience. We don’t force merchants to rip out their systems—we complement them.”
That approach appears to be gaining traction. Klearly reports that more than 4,000 merchants in the Netherlands now process payments through its platform, putting the company on track to reach €1 billion in annualised total payment volume.
The platform is device-agnostic and can run on existing hardware, lowering barriers to adoption for operators. It can also be deployed as a standalone solution, giving restaurants flexibility as they scale or change systems. According to the company, its tools help venues run smoother service, increase revenue per guest, and improve customer retention.
For PayPal Ventures, the investment reflects a broader belief that hospitality payments in Europe are due for consolidation and modernisation.
“Hospitality is one of Europe’s largest—and least integrated—payment categories,” said Ashish Aggarwal, Partner at PayPal Ventures. “Klearly delivers a modern, integrated experience without replacing existing systems. We see them powering the next generation of hospitality commerce.”
The next major focus is Italy, one of Europe’s largest restaurant markets with more than 300,000 venues. Klearly plans to invest in local go-to-market teams, expand partnerships with POS providers, and deepen its product capabilities.
“The demand signal from the Netherlands is clear,” said Lorenzo Franzi, Partner at Italian Founders Fund. “Restaurants want payments designed for service—not generic setups. Italy is a natural next step.”
The Series A follows a €6 million seed round raised in January last year, led by Global PayTech Ventures, Antler Elevate, and Shapers. With fresh capital in place, Klearly is betting that specialisation—not scale alone—will define the future of restaurant payments in Europe.
