Berlin-based AI automation startup n8n raises $180 million to fuel global expansion, taking on OpenAI and other AI agent rivals in the booming tech investment wave.
In a major boost for Europe’s AI startup ecosystem, German AI agent platform n8n has secured a $180 million funding round, reaching a $2.5 billion valuation. The round was led by Accel, with participation from Nvidia’s investment arm NVentures, alongside Deutsche Telekom AG, Meritech, Redpoint, Evantic Capital, and Visionaries Club.
The funding marks one of Europe’s largest AI startup deals of 2025, reflecting the intense investor appetite for companies building AI automation tools. According to PitchBook, AI firms have already attracted over $190 billion in venture capital this year, accounting for more than half of global startup funding.
Founded in Berlin in 2019 by Jan Oberhauser, n8n helps businesses automate workflows and deploy AI agents with minimal coding. Its visual drag-and-drop interface allows users to connect databases and apps—like Slack, Google Docs, and CRM systems—to perform complex tasks automatically. Clients such as Vodafone have already reported significant cost savings using n8n’s technology.
“We’re saving users millions of dollars,” said Oberhauser. “While billions go into AI investments, many organizations still lack meaningful results. Our goal is to change that.”
Unlike competitors such as Zapier, Gumloop, or OpenAI’s new AgentKit, n8n stands out by offering flexibility to integrate with multiple AI models from providers like Google, Anthropic, and OpenAI itself—avoiding vendor lock-in.
Accel partner Ben Fletcher, who led the deal, called OpenAI’s market entry “good for n8n,” suggesting that more AI agents will only drive greater adoption of n8n’s automation tools.
The company’s valuation skyrocketed from $350 million in March to $2.5 billion after a competitive investor race, underscoring its rapid growth and the global momentum around AI agent startups. Oberhauser said the new funds will be used to expand internationally and hire more engineers to scale development.
With revenues up tenfold in the past year, n8n is positioning itself as a key player in the AI automation space, aiming to empower businesses of all sizes to work smarter—not harder.
