Save Now Buy Later Fintech Monkee Raises 1.5 m € — Founder Interview
- Jörn Menninger
- Mar 15
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Hintertux Glacier in Tyrol by Markus Fischer via Pixabay
What Is This About?
Austrian fintech Monkee raised €1.5 million for its "Save Now, Buy Later" model — the opposite of buy-now-pay-later. The app helps users set savings goals and build financial discipline, returning to Startuprad.io after their first appearance in September 2021 to share their funding news.
This article is part of our coverage of Scaleup Founder Interviews from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
This blog post first appeared first on old medium publication (https://medium.
Monkee has been a guest in our podcast back in September 2021.
Now they are in the news since they have raised their third funding round with 1.
In addition to that, they also receive a “six-digit” grant from the Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft (FFG).
Save Now Buy Later Fintech Monkee Raises 1.5 m € — Founder Interview Startuprad.io brings you independent coverage of the key developments shaping the startup and venture capital landscape across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Hintertux Glacier in Tyrol by Markus Fischer via Pixabay
New Blog
This blog post first appeared first on old medium publication (https://medium.com/startuprad-io), and was moved to this blog with the relaunch of our website in summer 2024.
Monkee has been a guest in our podcast back in September 2021. The fintech offers Save Now Buy Later (SNBL) via their app. They are special not only since they are from the Austrian region of Tyrol, but also because they are a fintech with more than 80% women as clients.
Now they are in the news since they have raised their third funding round with 1.5 m €. Their investors include European Super Angels Club (ESAC), the startup Wise Guys, business angel Zaid Al-Aifari and existing investors.
In addition to that, they also receive a “six-digit” grant from the Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft (FFG).
If you want to learn more about the fintech, you can tune in to our interview here:
What Is Monkee?
Monkee is an Austrian fintech startup from Tyrol offering a "Save Now Buy Later" model — a responsible alternative to Buy Now Pay Later. The company raised €1.5M in its third funding round and also received a six-digit research grant from the FFG (Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft), Austria's research funding agency. Monkee was previously featured on Startuprad.io in September 2021.
Introduction
This episode updates listeners on Monkee, a fintech previously featured on Startuprad.io in September 2021. The Austrian startup from Tyrol has pioneered the "Save Now Buy Later" concept as a responsible alternative to the Buy Now Pay Later trend. Monkee has now closed its third funding round at €1.5 million and received additional support through a six-digit grant from Austria's FFG (Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft), the national research funding agency.
Monkee continues to grow its "Save Now Buy Later" fintech model with a €1.5 million third funding round. Based in Tyrol, Austria, the startup offers a counter-narrative to the dominant Buy Now Pay Later trend by encouraging consumers to save before purchasing rather than taking on debt. The additional six-digit FFG research grant signals that the Austrian government sees innovation potential in the company's approach. Having been a Startuprad.io guest in September 2021, this update tracks their funding progression.
Monkee raised €1.5M in its third funding round, continuing to grow its Save Now Buy Later fintech platform.
The company received a six-digit research grant from Austria's FFG (Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft), validating its innovation approach.
Save Now Buy Later positions Monkee as a responsible alternative to the Buy Now Pay Later trend that has dominated consumer fintech.
Based in Tyrol, Austria, Monkee represents the DACH startup ecosystem beyond the traditional hub cities.
Entities Referenced in This Episode
Startups
Monkee — Austrian Save Now Buy Later fintech, Tyrol-based, €1.5M third round
Organizations
FFG (Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft) — Austrian research funding agency, provided six-digit grant
Regions
Tyrol, Austria — Monkee headquarters
People
Jörn "Joe" Menninger — Startuprad.io host
Topics
Save Now Buy Later, savings fintech, BNPL alternative, Austrian startup funding, research grants
Relationship Map
Monkee → raised → €1.5M (third funding round)
FFG → awarded → six-digit research grant to Monkee
Monkee → offers → Save Now Buy Later (alternative to BNPL)
Startuprad.io → previously featured → Monkee (September 2021)
Quote Highlights
On the model: Monkee's "Save Now, Buy Later" approach is the opposite of buy-now-pay-later — helping users build financial discipline instead of debt.
On funding: Austrian fintech Monkee raised 1.5 million Euros in their third funding round.
On additional support: Also received a six-digit grant from the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
On returning guest: Monkee was a guest on Startuprad.io podcast in September 2021 and returned to share their funding news.
On the app: Monkee helps users set savings goals and build financial discipline through its mobile platform.
Related Episodes on Startuprad.io
Fintech and Banking 2023 and Beyond | Strategy — Broader fintech trends in the DACH region
Fintech Review 2022 — Germany, Austria, and Switzerland — Annual DACH fintech ecosystem review
Browse all Startuprad.io episodes — Topic hub: Austrian fintech
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What is Save Now Buy Later?
Save Now Buy Later is a fintech concept pioneered by companies like Monkee that encourages consumers to save toward a purchase before buying, rather than taking on debt through Buy Now Pay Later services. It promotes responsible spending habits.
How much has Monkee raised?
Monkee raised €1.5 million in its third funding round. In addition, the company received a six-digit research grant from Austria's FFG (Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft).
Where is Monkee based?
Monkee is based in Tyrol, Austria, representing the growing startup activity outside of the traditional DACH hub cities like Vienna, Berlin, and Zurich.
About the Host
Joern "Joe" Menninger is the host of the Startuprad.io podcast and covers founders, investors, and policy developments across the DACH startup ecosystem. Through more than 1,300 interviews and nearly a decade of reporting, he documents the evolution of the European startup landscape. Follow Joern on LinkedIn.
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Companies building in fintech and personal finance use Startuprad.io to reach founders, operators, and decision-makers across the DACH ecosystem. If that fits your goals, explore partnerships here: Partner with Startuprad.io
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