German AI startup Parloa raises $350M, triples valuation to $3B in just 8 months

German AI startup Parloa just pulled off one of the fastest valuation jumps in Europe’s AI scene.

The eight-year-old company has raised $350 million in a Series D round, tripling its valuation to $3 billion in less than a year. General Catalyst led the deal, with backing from existing investors EQT Ventures, Altimeter Capital, and Durable Capital Partners. In conjunction with the funding, Taneja, along with General Catalyst’s President and Managing Director, Jeannette zu Fürstenberg, will join Parloa’s Supervisory Board.

The fresh capital brings Parloa’s total funding to over $560 million. That includes a $120 million Series C in July 2025, when the company was valued at $1 billion. Few startups manage to climb from unicorn to multi-billion-dollar status that quickly, but Parloa caught a wave that enterprises can’t seem to ignore: AI-powered customer service.

From unicorn to $3B: Parloa’s breakout year

Parloa builds software that enables large companies to automate customer support without extensive coding. Its AI voice agents can handle routine tasks like tracking shipments, processing returns, and answering common questions. Big names are already on board, including Microsoft, Accenture, KPMG, and Booking.com. The company says its annual recurring revenue has crossed $50 million, giving investors a clear signal that this isn’t just hype.

“In 2025, everyone finally realized … it (AI for customer service) is actually working, like this is a case that has proven to be a positive return on investment case,” co-founder and CEO Malte Kosub said in an interview.

That shift in mindset has been building for a while. Enterprises face growing customer demand and rising support costs, pushing many to experiment with AI voice agents. Investors have followed the trend, pouring money into startups that promise to cut wait times and reduce headcount.

Still, the rollout hasn’t always gone smoothly. Swedish buy-now, pay-later giant Klarna admitted last year it may have moved too aggressively. The company cut thousands of jobs, dropped vendors, and leaned on AI to produce marketing campaigns, then later walked some of that back. The episode served as a reminder that automation comes with trade-offs, even when the tech works.

Parloa plans to use its new funding to scale across Europe and the U.S. The company will open new offices in San Francisco and Madrid, adding to its current footprint in Berlin and New York. Headcount is expected to increase from 380 to 600 by the end of 2026, with hires split between engineering and sales.

“Parloa is setting the standard for enterprise-grade AI throughout the customer journey,” said General Catalyst’s CEO Hemant Taneja, who ranks in the top 10 on the prestigious Forbes Midas List. “Their platform combines innovation and scalability, making them a clear leader in this rapidly evolving space. We truly believe Parloa’s approach to agentic AI will transform how global enterprises engage with customers, and we’re excited to support their vision and continued growth.”

For Parloa, the bet is clear. As enterprises hunt for cost savings and faster support, AI agents are moving from pilot projects into core operations. The company is positioning itself to become the system of record for automated customer service, and investors are wagering that this time, the tech is ready for prime time.

Parloa Founders Malte Kosub (CEO) and Stefan Ostwald (CAIO)