Amsterdam-based fintech startup Klearly is accelerating its mission to modernise payments for restaurants, bars and clubs across Europe after raising €12 million in Series A funding, bringing its total capital raised to €20 million. The round was led by PayPal Ventures, with participation from Italian Founders Fund and returning investors Global PayTech Ventures, Antler Elevate and Shapers. The investment marks a major endorsement of Klearly’s plan to build a new generation of payment infrastructure designed specifically for hospitality.
A Payments Platform Purpose-Built for Restaurants
The hospitality sector has long relied on generic payment systems that are not tailored to the fast-paced environment of restaurants and nightlife venues. Many of these systems struggle during peak hours, causing delays that affect service quality and customer satisfaction. Klearly seeks to solve this problem with a payments platform created for high volume hospitality operations.
Klearly integrates with existing point of sale systems used by restaurants and provides a more reliable and efficient payment process. By supporting smooth service even in busy periods, the platform helps increase revenue per guest and improves customer retention. For venues that want to keep their current equipment, Klearly can run as a standalone payment solution without requiring new hardware.
Flexible Integration for Modern Hospitality
Klearly also offers a payment layer that connects directly to existing point of sale systems. This option allows operators to gain faster and more reliable transactions without replacing their entire system. The flexibility of adopting Klearly in either standalone or integrated mode has made it appealing to merchants who want to modernise payments without disruptive system changes.
CEO Sam Koekoek explains that Klearly is not meant to replace point of sale systems but instead works alongside them. He emphasises that the companys goal is to build the best payment system for restaurants, bars and clubs across Europe, while supporting the operators and point of sale providers they already rely on.
Rapid Adoption Across the Netherlands
Klearly has quickly gained traction in its home market. Thousands of merchants in the Netherlands now use the platform to process payments, proving early demand for a hospitality focused solution. Restaurants and bars have reported smoother operations during peak service periods and improved overall payment reliability, reinforcing Klearlys value proposition.
Encouraged by its success in the Netherlands, the company is expanding its presence in Italy and Belgium. Both markets represent significant opportunities due to their large and active hospitality sectors. Klearly is already collaborating with restaurant groups and point of sale partners to establish a strong foothold in these regions.
Strengthening Partnerships and Product Innovation
The new funding will support Klearlys expansion by building local teams in Italy, strengthening go to market capabilities and deepening its partner network. The company plans to invest in product development, point of sale integrations and broader team growth across engineering, operations, partnerships and commercial roles.
Klearlys product development roadmap includes enhancements that improve transaction speed, reduce payment failures and provide better data insights for restaurant owners. By focusing on reliability and performance during high pressure service times, the platform aims to deliver measurable improvements to both customer experience and revenue generation.
A Growing Role in European Hospitality Tech
As the hospitality industry continues to digitise, payment systems are becoming central to operational efficiency. Klearly is positioned at the intersection of fintech and hospitality, offering a purpose built solution that addresses the limitations of outdated systems. Its rapid adoption, flexible integration capabilities and growing network of partners indicate that it is emerging as a strong contender in the European payments landscape.
Looking Ahead
With new capital, strategic investors and a clear focus on hospitality needs, Klearly is preparing for the next stage of its European expansion. The company aims to become the preferred payment solution for high volume restaurants, bars and clubs by delivering reliability, speed and seamless integration with existing systems. For hospitality operators across Europe, Klearly may soon become an essential part of the service experience.