Meet Helios, the sustainable neobank from Paris which has roped in €9 million to limit global warming

Paris-based neo bank Helios has raised €9 million in a seed round to combine banking with effective climate action, a new approach to protecting the planet. The fresh funding was led by Racine and saw the participation of Raise Seed for Good funds. Angel investors, including Hugues Le Bret, founder of Nickel, and the C-suite of several startups such as Malt, Swile, Meero, or Blissim (formerly Birchbox) also participated in the round.

Founded in 2020 by Maeva Courtois and Julia Ménayas, the women-led fintech company aims to limit global warming. Offering a new sustainable and ecological banking solution, the platform is allowing environmental investments. According to the company, not a single euro from Helios funds polluting industries, such as oil, or coal. On the contrary, the ethical player only supports environment-friendly investment projects. Unlike conventional banks, the firm ensures complete transparency regarding the destination of the financing.

The funding boost brings the social-impact company one step closer to becoming the leading sustainable bank in Europe. To meet this objective, the company is planning to hire more than 20 talents this year, across marketing, mobile development, and data positions. The startup is also rolling out a new banking product: sustainable savings account crowdsourced with its community of users. Helios also aims to reach 100,000 customers and an investment of €30 million by the end of 2023.

Maeva Courtois, co-founder of Helios said: “We are leading the ecological revolution in banking services. If 10 years ago neo banks invented a digital banking experience focused on mobile usage and instant notifications, with Helios we are changing the rules of banking towards more transparency and a real commitment to climate action. For €6 per month, our users can manage their accounts easily from their mobile or desktop and reach their dedicated financial advisor while having a positive impact on the preservation of the environment.”

Since its launch a year back, the neo bank has become the first player positioned in the eco-banking market with a community of 50,000 people and nearly €40 million of transactions on its accounts. Impact wise, about 20k tons of CO2 have been avoided and €1 million invested into the ecological transition.

Angélique Elizé, investment director, RAISE Seed for Good added: “Helios is a unique ecological banking model which is rethinking in depth its market through a transparent approach and responsible financing, thus playing a driving role in the fintech sector. And it is in the service of this sustainable growth that we will support Helios in its new challenges.”