Pliant

Pliant is a Germany-based company offering a corporate credit card-issuing platform (Cards-as-a-Service), which encompasses physical, virtual, and single-use cards, which can be issued to all employees with custom spend limits. The platform automates accounting and helps monitor and manage expenses when users upload the accounting data (such as G/L accounts, VAT codes, creditors, and cost center) after transactions. Accordingly, Pliant can be integrated with several accounting and ERP platforms, such as DATEV, BMD, Holded, and sevDesk, and can also be linked with Apple Pay. 

Besides standard features such as custom limits and receipt management, Pliant also offers a “Pliant Earth,” where travel-related carbon emissions are calculated, and certified providers provide automatic compensation.

In addition to enabling enterprises to offer cards to employees, Pliant also provides infrastructure services to other fintechs, such as Circula and Candis , enabling them to offer card solutions to their clients. 

The company follows a freemium business model, where its standard package is offered free of charge for up to 10 users, and premium packages start at EUR 50 per month. Premium packages offer additional benefits such as unlimited virtual and single-use cards as well as unlimited integrations. 

In August 2023, Pliant obtained an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Finland, enabling the company to extend its credit card and financial services across 25 countries within the European Economic Area (EEA). The company's multi-currency capabilities include 11 currencies, to facilitate non-Euro transactions.

Key customers and partnerships

Pliant targets businesses of all sizes and reportedly had 1,500+ enterprise customers as of February 2023. Notably, the credit cards are issued in partnership with Visa, and, therefore, users can access cashback and premium perks (such as insurance packages and airport lounge access) offered by Visa.

Funding and financials

In April 2024, Pliant secured more than EUR 18 million (~ USD 19 million ) in Series A extension financing led by PayPal Ventures (after raising EUR 8 million in January 2024 and  EUR 26 million in February 2023 ). The funding was earmarked to fuel expansion into the UK and other markets outside the EU.