UK-based fintech Tide has achieved unicorn status, backed by a strategic investment from TPG, a leading global alternative asset management firm. This investment values Tide at $1.5 billion and underscores its position as a leading European fintech company. The funding round, led by TPG and supported by existing investor Apax Digital Funds, totals over $120 million and includes both primary and secondary investments. This milestone is significantly powered by Tide's success in India, where it has rapidly grown its customer base among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Tide's success in India is a key factor in its overall growth. India has become Tide's largest market in terms of customer count, surpassing the UK. As of May 2025, Tide had nearly 700,000 members in India, a number that was projected to exceed 1 million by the end of the year. This rapid growth since entering the Indian market in December 2022 demonstrates the company's strong performance and the increasing demand for its services among Indian SMEs.

Tide provides a business management platform catering to 1.6 million members worldwide. The company focuses on micro and small enterprises, offering a one-stop digital platform with services such as payments, invoicing, accounting, credit, and insurance. Tide particularly targets businesses without dedicated finance teams, aiming to save them time and money by providing easy access to essential financial services.

Tide's expansion plans include further international growth and continued investment in product development, particularly in agentic AI. The company aims to leverage AI-powered solutions and expand its range of financial tools to address the challenges faced by small businesses. New offerings in India are expected to include savings and investments, tailored insurance plans, access to formal credit, simplified Udyam registration, GST filing assistance, and advanced payment acceptance solutions.

Tide's business model focuses on serving the micro segment of the MSME market by offering a broad range of services. This approach allows the company to generate revenue from multiple services, catering to the diverse needs of small businesses. Tide differentiates itself by onboarding businesses through a Know Your Customer (KYC) process, similar to that of traditional banks. This ensures that businesses can access the benefits of a business account upon onboarding.

Tide has strategically focused on smaller cities and towns in India, with over 90% of its members coming from these areas. This highlights the significant opportunity to support women entrepreneurs, with Tide aiming to empower 500,000 women entrepreneurs in India by 2027. As of December 2024, Tide had over 65,400 women members, marking a substantial increase from 23,000 in February 2024.

Tide is committed to financial inclusion and has launched initiatives such as the MSME Exchange Program (MEP) to foster connections between small business owners in India and the UK. This program enables entrepreneurs to expand their business knowledge and explore cross-border trade opportunities.

CEO of Tide India, Gurjodhpal Singh, noted that Tide started in India with a product and engineering hub in Hyderabad, which now accounts for over half of Tide's global workforce. Tide has successfully adapted its solutions to meet the specific needs of the Indian market, with some India-first innovations being rolled out globally.

The investment from TPG is expected to accelerate Tide's growth and further solidify its position in the fintech industry. With a strong focus on serving SMEs and a rapidly expanding presence in India, Tide is well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for digital financial solutions.