Berlin-based workflow automation startup n8n has secured $180 million in a Series C financing round, bringing its valuation to $2.5 billion. The latest injection of capital comes as the company rides the wave of growing demand for low-code automation solutions that integrate artificial intelligence. Major investors, including Accel, Meritech, and Deutsche Telekom’s venture capital arm, led the round.
Founded in 2019 by software developer Jan Oberhauser, n8n emerged as a response to the frustrations many users face with rigid automation platforms that require significant technical skills or impose limits on customisation.
Oberhauser’s vision was to create a platform that combines developer-grade flexibility with accessibility for less technical users. This led to the creation of what n8n calls a “fair-code” licensing model, blending open-source principles with commercial viability. The platform has since attracted a thriving community topping 200,000 active users, alongside corporate clients such as Vodafone, Delivery Hero, Volkswagen, Decathlon, KPMG, and Twitch.
What sets n8n apart is its flexible, node-based workflow builder that supports complex automations while remaining approachable. Unlike competitors Zapier and Make, n8n offers open-source roots, giving users the option to self-host and build deeply tailored workflows. Its pricing model, which charges based on workflow executions rather than individual tasks, contrasts with rivals like Zapier, whose per-task fees can quickly add up for complex automations.
The platform’s AI capabilities, powered by large language models and AI agents, now allow users to build workflows using natural language inputs, significantly lowering the barrier for automation adoption. These AI-powered features position n8n at the forefront of the emerging AI orchestration category, blending workflow automation with intelligent decision-making.
Since its early days, when it was valued at around $350 million, n8n has scaled rapidly. Annual recurring revenue has surged past $40 million, and its user base has expanded around the globe.
The fresh capital from this round will accelerate n8n’s ambitions to deepen AI capabilities, broaden its enterprise SaaS offering, and expand further into the U.S. market, which now accounts for roughly half of its users.
