BBVA enters the Finnish startup ecosystem: first growth capital deal with Bob W and debut at Slush
BBVA has closed its first growth capital transaction in Finland with Bob W, the Helsinki-born hospitality scaleup focused on redefining the short-stay experience across Europe through technology. This also marks BBVA’s first growth capital deal in Finland, coinciding with the bank’s debut as a key partner at Slush, the renowned global innovation event that gathers more than 13,000 attendees, 2,500 startups and 2,000 investors in Helsinki each year.
The growth financing facility will enable Bob W to drive responsible and sustainable expansion as the company strengthens its position as a pan-European market leader and moves closer to becoming a household name.
Bob W is a tech-enabled hospitality platform offering a smoother alternative to hotels and traditional short-term rentals. With a portfolio of more than 90 assets and 6,000 apartment units, the company currently operates in cities across the EU and the UK, with further expansion underway in both existing and new markets.
Part of BBVA’s European strategy
This agreement with Bob W follows BBVA’s recent venture debt transactions in the UK with Plum, the British personal finance app, and with Roadsurfer, a German company specializing in outdoor mobility. Together, these deals reflect BBVA’s strategy to support Europe’s high-growth companies through non-dilutive financing solutions that allow them to scale internationally without losing control of their business.
“Bob W is a clear example of how Nordic founders are transforming an entire industry through technology, sustainability and exceptional design. Based on our existing relationship with the team and its financial partners, and our strong belief in Bob W’s impressive growth story, partnering with them was a natural and exciting step,” said Donatella Callegaris, Head of Venture & Growth Lending at BBVA in Europe. “Supporting Bob W represents a strategic milestone for BBVA, reinforcing our ambition to back high-growth companies across Europe and deepen our presence in the continent’s leading tech ecosystems,” she added.
For Bob W, collaboration with BBVA provides strategic support at a crucial stage of its growth. “Working with BBVA gives us the flexibility we need to continue expanding across Europe while enhancing our award-winning technology and guest experience,” said Niko Karstikko, Co-founder and CEO of Bob W. “This growth capital facility will accelerate our roadmap and help us bring the Bob W experience to many more cities.”
BBVA’s debut at Slush
The announcement coincides with BBVA’s debut at Slush, one of the world’s most influential startup gatherings, known for its founder-first culture, global investor presence, and role in shaping the European tech landscape.
In its first three years, BBVA’s unit for high-growth companies has deployed over €750 million to more than 1,700 tech-driven firms across Europe and Latin America, consolidating its position as a long-term partner for founders and building the next generation of Europe’s sector leaders.