Beauty booking startup Fresha hits $1 billion valuation with KKR backing

Fresha, a prominent player in the beauty and wellness booking industry, has raised $80 million in funding from KKR’s Next Generation Technology Growth fund, pushing its valuation to over $1 billion. This investment is particularly significant as it comes from KKR’s growth equity division, known for supporting established companies that are poised for substantial expansion. Founded in 2015 and based in London, Fresha has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. When TechCrunch last reported on the company’s fundraising efforts in 2021, it facilitated bookings for 60,000 businesses and collaborated with over 150,000 professionals across 120 nations. Currently, Fresha boasts more than 140,000 businesses on its platform, collectively managing over 35 million appointments monthly. This impressive figure translates to over a billion appointments each year, positioning Fresha among the largest scheduling platforms across various sectors, not limited to beauty and wellness. With a total of $285 million raised to date, Fresha plans to leverage this new funding to expand its reach into additional countries and enhance its platform with advanced AI features. This strategic move signals Fresha's commitment to innovation and growth in the competitive beauty booking market.