Stax, an all-in-one payments platform, today announced its latest funding raise of $245 million. Led by sibling co-founders Suneera Madhani, CEO, and Sal Rehmetullah, president, Stax celebrates this significant milestone at a time when less than three percent of venture capital goes to minorities and less than one percent of venture capital goes to businesses with women of color CEOs.
“As a minority woman and executive in fintech, I’m no stranger to discrimination and doubt,” said Madhani. “My brother and I built this company from our parents’ home back in 2014. Since then, we’ve grown 500% in the past three years and processed more than $23 billion in payments for 22,000 businesses nationwide. We share this milestone not just with our team, but every person of color trying to hustle, build their own business and make history.”
Stax’s latest funding round and unicorn status represents a major step forward for minority-led companies looking to make their mark. The payments platform will use the new capital to expand product capabilities, enhance its customer offerings, grow its team and expand internationally.
“At Stax, we help businesses grow and scale, all while having the flexibility to adapt their payment technologies to meet their customer needs,” said Rehmetullah. “With our new capital and unicorn status, we can ensure our customers have all the tools they need to process and manage their payments. Businesses are just starting to realize how powerful payments can be in scaling their organization, and we’re here to ensure that process goes as smoothly as possible.”
Investors include Greater Sum Ventures (GSV), HarbourVest Partners and Blue Star Innovation Partners, all of which have long invested in the payments industry and will serve as strategic partners to Stax. Rob Wechsler, founder and CEO of Blue Star, will join Stax’s board of directors. After completing a secondary round, Stax raised an additional primary round of capital to reach the $1 billion valuation.
“Stax is a rapidly-growing company that is changing the way businesses conduct and scale their payments, which is why we chose to invest in them,” said Wechsler. “The COVID-19 pandemic escalated the need for dynamic, flexible and digital payment options all the way from small businesses to enterprise organizations and the software vendors that serve them. Fintech is rapidly evolving, and Stax is adapting just as quickly, ensuring their customers can do the same.”
Ross Croley, founder and CEO of GSV, added: “We believe that Stax has an incredible opportunity to transform integrated payments for businesses everywhere. With our longstanding focus on the intersection of software and payments, we’re pleased to continue our partnership with the Stax team to create value and lead fintech innovation.”
This announcement comes on the heels of a significant year of growth for Stax, having just acquired automated surcharging platform CardX this past November.
About Blue Star Innovation Partners
Blue Star Innovation Partners (Blue Star) is a growth equity investment fund firm led by hand-selected serial entrepreneurs who co-manage and invest alongside the Jones Family. Founded in 2016, Blue Star invests in highly innovative lower-middle market businesses with $10 million to $50 million in annual revenue and the potential for global reach. By providing efficient, direct funding and a unique formula of mentorship, Blue Star helps steer highly creative entrepreneurs and operators towards success. Blue Star focuses on opportunities within the fields of sports, financial services, entertainment, and technology, and operates out of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
