New Delhi, April 8 -- KreditBee has entered the unicorn club after raising $280 million in its Series E round, marking a significant milestone for the startup as it prepares for its next phase of growth.

The Bengaluru-based lending startup is now valued at $1.5 billion post-money, becoming the second startup in 2026 to achieve unicorn status after Juspay. The funding round was led by Motilal Oswal Alternates, Hornbill Capital, and MUFG-backed Dragon Funds, with participation from existing investors including Premji Invest and Advent International.

While the headline number stands out, the timing of this fundraise is equally important. KreditBee is currently preparing for an IPO, and the fresh capital is expected to support that transiti...