Valencia’s Sesame Raises Up To €50M With BBVA Spark’s Equity-Free Funding Model

Tailored for SaaS companies expanding globally, the deal enables growth without equity dilution, offering startups more control over their business.

“This instrument is a real revolution for the European technology ecosystem,” says Albert Soriano, CEO of Sesame. “It will allow us to scale internationally while continuing to focus on innovation in artificial intelligence applied to talent management.”

In 2025, Europe’s HRTech and SaaS sector—especially in AI-driven talent and workforce management—has seen consistent funding activity across markets.

UK’s Zelt raised €5.7M, Italy’s Skillvue secured €5.5M, Belgium’s Shyfter raised €1.5M, and France’s Maki brought in €26M. In Spain, Orbio raised €6.4M, while Germany’s Ordio added €12M and Czechia’s Talentiqa secured €1M.

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Amid these, Sesame’s €50M growth funding stands out—not just for its size but for its structure. Unlike typical equity rounds it marks a new stage for European HRTech, offering scale without dilution and signaling Sesame’s maturity and strong revenue performance.

Miguel Ángel Alcalá, Head of BBVA Spark in Europe, highlights: “Our value proposition is based on supporting high-growth companies that are transforming the economy through technology. We share a vision of sustainable growth with Sesame, connected to data and focused on people.

Founded in Valencia in 2015, Sesame has become one of Spain’s leading HRTech companies. Its AI-powered platform automates admin tasks, streamlines workflows and enhances experiences for HR teams and employees. Today, over 15,000 companies use Sesame which generates more than €20 million in annual recurring revenue.

With a 350+ member team based in Valencia’s innovation hub, La Marina, Sesame has established itself as a European frontrunner in AI-driven HR technology—scaling globally while maintaining full ownership and avoiding traditional venture capital routes.

The newly announced funding instrument is performance- and data-driven, offering a flexible, non-dilutive alternative to equity or venture debt. Sesame plans to use the capital to acquire new clients and deepen innovation across its AI-powered platform.

“This operation demonstrates that another way of financing growth is possible. With this financial instrument, Sesame will be able to access capital in an agile and efficient manner, adapted to its pace of international growth,” added Alcalá.

The new funding allows Sesame to accelerate product development and expand internationally. The company has recently strengthened its presence in Brazil and now supports over 1,000 clients in Mexico. With fresh capital Sesame is deepening its foothold in Italy and Portugal while preparing to enter major markets like France and Germany.

This collaboration with BBVA Spark highlights a growing shift in European startup financing, where founders are turning to alternative, non-dilutive funding models to scale without giving up equity or slowing innovation.

The BBVA Spark–Sesame partnership illustrates how tech-driven financial solutions are redefining how SaaS companies fund global growth.

About Sesame

Sesame HR is a Spanish HRTech company that helps organizations manage their teams more efficiently. Its platform automates key HR tasks such as attendance, scheduling and performance tracking. Combining smart design with AI Sesame HR supports businesses in improving productivity and creating better workplace experiences.