Every year, millions of talented international students gain admission to Europe’s top universities but must decline due to financial barriers, not because they lack ability. Berlin-based Lendorse is changing this reality.
As Lendorse told TFN exclusively, the startup has secured a €1.75 million funding round co-led by LUMO Labs and Soulmates Ventures, with participation from PI Impact and angel investor Daniel Naber. This brings total equity funding to €2.345 million, including a €595K pre-seed round backed by Techstars, Earlybird Vision Lab, and others.
The fresh investment will advance Lendorse’s product development and expand the team to meet growing demand. With significant market need and increasing institutional support, Lendorse is positioned to scale its impact and create lasting value for investors and the next generation of global professionals.
“Behind every Lendorse investment is a student with a dream and the drive to pursue it. We’re not just covering costs — we’re removing barriers and opening doors to opportunities that can redefine a future,” says Bjoern Christian Wolf, Lendorse co-founder and CEO.
Turning personal experience into a mission
Lendorse was founded in 2022 by Bjoern Christian Wolf, Evgenii Avdeev, and Hannah Sharpe. “Evgenii faced financial challenges himself, juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet while being denied traditional loans due to a lack of European credit history. This personal experience inspired him to launch Lendorse,” the company explains to TFN.
Wolf had discovered income share agreements (ISAs) and believed in removing obstacles so talented people could fulfil their potential regardless of birthplace. “We believe that access to education shouldn’t depend on a student’s bank account or their country of origin, but on their ambition, motivation, and potential. With this investment, we can scale our platform, bring in more lending partners, and fund even more skilled and driven students ready to make the most of every opportunity,” Wolf says.
Behind Lendorse: A data-driven approach to financing talent
What sets Lendorse apart is its proprietary underwriting engine. “Lendorse uses a data-driven underwriting model that collects up to 150 data points to predict a student’s future income distribution, including hard and soft data. We use proprietary algorithms to assess students’ creditworthiness and potential based on their academic performance, career goals, and market demand.
Unlike traditional bank methods that rely on credit scores or collateral, this approach better serves students from developing countries. Our model, specifically tailored for international students, outperforms general-purpose ISA scoring systems designed for domestic students with different risk profiles,” explains Avdeev.
This model enables Lendorse to provide upfront financing for tuition and living expenses. Unlike traditional loans, repayment begins only after graduates succeed professionally and is based on a fixed percentage of their future income.
Backing from investors who believe in impact and scale
Dagmar van Ravenswaay Claasen, Partner at LUMO Labs, praises the platform: “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 motivated to succeed in top academic and professional environments. We are delighted to support the further development and roll-out of this impactful and scalable platform.”
Michal Sikyta, Investment Director at Soulmates Ventures, echoes this: “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.”
Lotte Stoltenborgh from PI Impact adds: “The relentless drive and commitment of Lendorse’s founders and team are exceptional. We are very much looking forward to being part of their journey going forward.”
What’s next for Lendorse? Scaling access and impact
Lendorse’s vision extends beyond financing. The platform offers tailored career guidance and integration tools, helping international talent navigate Europe’s academic and professional landscape. This includes CV assessments, mock interviews, mentorship, and relocation guidance, equipping students with the skills to succeed after graduation.
The company told us, “Lendorse plans to deploy €10 million to fund over 1,000 students in the next 3 to 5 years. A key focus will be sharpening underwriting capabilities and validating the scalability of its model.” Lendorse is advancing the sustainable development goals of quality education and reduced inequality.
