SENNA

Optimizing Financial Infrastructure: BKN301 Group Secures €32 Million and Acquires Planky

Introduction
In a significant move that underscores the growing demand for modern, AI-driven financial infrastructure, London-based BKN301 Group has secured €32 million in funding and acquired UK-based analytics firm Planky. This strategic combination aims to strengthen BKN301's capabilities in delivering intelligent, scalable, and compliant digital banking solutions to financial institutions and fintechs across emerging markets.

Key Takeaways:
- BKN301 Group raised €32 million, combining a €21 million Series B round and a new credit facility from BlackRock.
- The company acquired Planky, a UK-based AI and data analytics specialist, to enhance its platform's intelligence and automation.
- BKN301's focus on modernizing legacy architectures and integrating advanced analytics aligns with broader industry trends toward scalable, data-centric financial infrastructure.
- The deal positions BKN301 as a key player in the evolving European fintech landscape, particularly in the UK where peers like Navro and Light have also secured sizable funding.
- Expansion plans include strengthening AI/data capabilities, expanding partnerships, and exploring M&A opportunities to drive technological innovation and market reach.

Modernizing Core Architectures with Intelligence
The BKN301 Group's platform is designed to help banks and fintechs modernize their legacy systems while preserving existing functionality. Its cloud-native architecture consists of three core components - the API Orchestrator, Data Decoupling Layer, and Business Logic Engine - which work together to provide a flexible, vendor-neutral foundation for financial innovation.

The acquisition of Planky significantly enhances BKN301's capabilities in this regard. Planky's proprietary AI and data analytics engine, specialized in real-time insights, behavioral scoring, and predictive analytics, will be fully integrated into BKN301's digital banking infrastructure. This integration will enable financial institutions and fintechs to deliver smarter, faster, and more personalized digital experiences, while maintaining high compliance and scalability standards.

Aligning with Regional Trends
BKN301's funding and acquisition activities align with a broader pattern of investment into financial technology infrastructure across Europe. Recent 2025 sector rounds include Natech Banking Solutions' €28.1 million raise in Greece, Navro's €36 million Series B in the UK, and Light's €25 million round in the UK - collectively representing roughly €89 million in new capital.

The presence of other UK-based companies among this cohort, such as Navro and Light, highlights the country's particularly active landscape for banking technology and AI-driven financial infrastructure providers. BKN301's focus on modernizing core architectures and integrating advanced analytics mirrors the priorities seen in these peers, positioning the company within a broader regional shift toward scalable, data-centric financial services infrastructure.

Expert Perspective
"BKN301's latest funding and acquisition demonstrate the growing importance of modernizing financial technology infrastructure to support innovation and inclusion," says Senna, a senior market analyst. "By combining intelligent data analytics with a flexible, vendor-neutral platform, BKN301 is well-positioned to help financial institutions and fintechs across emerging markets deliver more personalized, compliant, and scalable digital services. This aligns with the broader industry trend of investing in core infrastructure to drive the next wave of financial technology advancements."

Conclusion
BKN301 Group's €32 million funding boost and acquisition of Planky mark a significant milestone in the company's mission to build the "rails for the next wave of financial innovation." By integrating advanced AI and data analytics capabilities into its digital banking architecture, BKN301 aims to empower financial institutions and fintechs to innovate faster, deliver smarter experiences, and maintain high compliance standards. Amidst a backdrop of increased investment in European fintech infrastructure, BKN301's strategic moves solidify its role as a key player in modernizing the core of the financial services industry.

FAQs:

1. What are the key components of BKN301's digital banking platform?
BKN301's platform consists of three core components: the API Orchestrator, the Data Decoupling Layer, and the Business Logic Engine. These work together to provide a flexible, vendor-neutral foundation for financial institutions and fintechs to modernize their legacy systems and enable new digital capabilities.

2. How will the acquisition of Planky enhance BKN301's platform?
The integration of Planky's proprietary AI and data analytics engine will strengthen BK