Leap Finance, a fintech platform catering to Indian students pursuing higher education abroad, is in discussions to secure approximately $70–100 million in a new funding round, according to two sources familiar with the matter. This marks the company’s first bid for fresh investment in over two years since its Series D round.
“Leap has performed strongly over the past two years, drawing interest from several investors, including current ones,” said one source, who requested anonymity due to the private nature of the talks. “The firm is negotiating with at least three new investors to raise up to $100 million in its Series E round.”
According to the sources, this round could potentially elevate Leap to unicorn status.
Incorporated in San Francisco, Leap last raised $75 million in its Series D round in June 2022, led by Owl Ventures, with contributions from Steadview, Paramark Ventures, Jungle Ventures, and Peak XV, reaching a valuation between $850–900 million. Exact details of its valuation, shareholding, and revenue remain unclear as the parent entity is not registered in India.
“The deal terms are currently being finalized with two of the three new investors, and Leap expects to confirm the lead for the new round within a few weeks,” said another source, also requesting anonymity.
Sources claim that Leap has seen significant growth since its Series D round.
Leap facilitates educational loans for students aspiring to study at overseas universities. Its offerings include test prep apps for IELTS, TOEFL, and SAT; admissions and visa counseling; and financial products through LeapScholar, LeapFinance, and Yocket. The firm also provides services for international bank accounts, credit cards, and money remittance.
“The new funding round will comprise both primary and secondary capital, with some early investors, including angels, possibly making partial or full exits,” said the previously quoted source.
Leap has declined to comment on the matter, and queries sent to Owl Ventures, Jungle Ventures, Steadview, and Peak XV went unanswered at the time of publication.
Since its founding five years ago, Leap has raised $175 million up to its Series D round and claims to have funded more than 3,000 students since 2021, focusing primarily on institutions in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
While edtech startups have faced challenges in securing funding over the past few years, platforms focused on financing overseas education have attracted substantial investment during this period. According to data compiled by TheKredible, Leap and its competitors—such as Auxilo, Avanse Financial, Financepeer, Propelld, Grayquest, Mpower Financing, and Eduvanz—have collectively secured around $500 million in the past 24 months.
The strong preference for studying abroad for better exposure drives growth for companies like Leap, Leverage Edu, and CollegeDekho. InCred, a leading player in the overseas educational loan sector, reported that such loans accounted for 21% of its total disbursals in FY24. InCred’s founder, Bhupinder Singh, noted that the growth prospects and increasing awareness in this segment have significantly contributed to its rapid expansion.