Lightyear Raises $23M Backed by NordicNinja, Estonian Tech Founders to Fuel Expansion

Lightyear, the London-based investment app seeking to replicate the commission-free trading model popularized by Robinhood in Europe, has secured $23 million in funding led by NordicNinja, a venture capital firm with Japanese backing. The round attracted participation from high-profile Estonian entrepreneurs, including Markus Villig (co-founder of Bolt), Taavet Hinrikus (co-founder of Wise), and Jaan Tallinn (co-founder of Skype), signaling strong support for the startup’s expansion ambitions [1]. The funding elevates Lightyear’s valuation to between $200 million and $300 million, according to unnamed insiders familiar with the deal [1].

The investment comes as Lightyear accelerates its growth across 25 countries, with plans to expand into five additional markets soon. CEO Martin Sokk emphasized that the fundraising was not driven by immediate financial needs but by the strategic value of collaborating with investors like Villig, whose experience scaling Bolt—a ride-hailing unicorn—provides critical insights into navigating Europe’s fragmented regulatory landscape. Villig noted the underdeveloped state of retail investing in Europe as a key opportunity for disruption, highlighting the potential to simplify access to financial markets [1].

Estonia’s emergence as a tech hub is underscored by the involvement of its entrepreneurs, who have contributed to a disproportionate number of regional unicorns. Lightyear’s founders, Sokk and Mihkel Aamer (both former Wise employees), position the app as a platform for long-term investors, contrasting with rivals that emphasize speculative products like crypto and margin trading. Sokk stated, “We’re focused on serving long-term investors, not just those chasing short-term gains” [1].

The funding announcement coincided with the launch of AI-powered tools designed to enhance user decision-making. Features such as “Why Did It Move?” enable investors to analyze stock price changes by correlating them with real-time market events, while AI-driven theses offer insights into bullish and bearish scenarios. Sokk described a future where AI could automate goal-oriented investment strategies (“self-driving money”) or augment manual decision-making. The company also plans to introduce a crypto product within two months, emphasizing a “long-term view” to differentiate from speculative offerings [1].

Despite competition from established brokers like Revolut and Trade Republic, Lightyear’s leadership remains confident in its product differentiation. The app’s focus on simplicity, transparency, and AI-enhanced tools aligns with a broader shift toward democratizing financial markets. However, challenges persist in navigating regulatory complexities across multiple jurisdictions and standing out in a saturated market [1].

The funding round reflects a strategic alignment between Lightyear and investors with cross-border expertise, enabling the startup to accelerate its growth. With NordicNinja and Estonian tech veterans providing both capital and industry knowledge, Lightyear’s trajectory highlights the potential for innovative financial platforms to reshape Europe’s investment landscape.

Source: [1] [European Robinhood Rival Lightyear Raises $23 Million](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/24/european-robinhood-rival-lightyear-raises-23-million.html)