n8n Raises $180 Million to Expand AI-Powered Workflow Automation
Berlin-based workflow automation startup n8n has raised $180 million in Series C funding, reaching a valuation of $2.5 billion. The round was led by Accel, with participation from Meritech, Redpoint, Visionaries Club, NVentures (NVIDIA’s venture arm), and Deutsche Telekom’s T.Capital, among others.
The latest funding round pushes n8n’s total capital raised to $240 million. The company plans to use the funds to deepen its AI capabilities, scale its enterprise platform, and expand its reach in the U.S., which already represents about half of its global user base.
Founder and CEO Jan Oberhauser said the new investment reinforces n8n’s mission to make AI and automation accessible to everyone, not just developers. “The AI race isn’t just about smarter models,” he said. “It’s about who can put that intelligence to work reliably inside real businesses.”
A Fair-Code Approach to Automation
n8n began as a response to the limitations of rigid automation platforms like Zapier and Make. In 2019, Oberhauser founded a platform that combined developer-grade control with ease of use for non-technical users.
This vision led to the creation of n8n’s “fair-code” licensing model. It blends open-source access with commercial sustainability. This has helped them build a vibrant community of over 200,000 active users and enterprise teams.
Global clients like Volkswagen, Delivery Hero, Decathlon, KPMG, Vodafone, and Twitch also got on board. Today, they now rely on n8n for mission-critical automation workflows.
Building Smarter Workflows with AI
Unlike traditional no-code tools, n8n gives users complete control over automation design. Its node-based workflow builder supports complex automations while remaining intuitive to use.
The platform’s AI orchestration layer is powered by large language models and AI agents. This allows users to build workflows using natural language commands. It eliminates the steep learning curve associated with automation, making it possible for businesses to rapidly integrate AI.
n8n’s approach bridges the gap between full AI autonomy and strict rule-based systems. The platform lets teams decide how much control to give AI agents and how much logic to enforce manually. This balance provides flexibility, speed, and reliability. A combination that appeals to both engineers and non-technical users.
“We’ve learned from our community that neither extreme, full autonomy or rigid control, works for every business,” Oberhauser explained. “Our platform gives teams the power to choose that balance and adapt as they learn what works best.”
Orchestrating AI for Real Business Impact
For Oberhauser, AI orchestration and coordination are the next frontiers in workflow automation. n8n connects AI agents to business tools, establishes human oversight, and enables collaboration between engineers and business teams — all on the same platform.
“Without orchestration and coordination, organisations get stuck,” he noted. “Engineers build in isolation, business users test and give feedback, and the process drags on. n8n fixes that by putting everyone in the same system.”
This approach has fueled exponential growth. Since its last valuation of $350 million, n8n’s annual recurring revenue (ARR) has grown beyond $40 million, with usage increasing 10x year-over-year.
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Scaling Global Impact Through AI Workflow Funding
The latest funding marks a major milestone in n8n’s journey from a niche open-source tool to a global enterprise automation platform. The company’s hybrid model—combining open-source collaboration with enterprise-grade reliability—has made it one of Europe’s most promising software scale-ups.
Its future roadmap includes advancing AI orchestration capabilities, enabling cross-team collaboration, and building new interfaces tailored to how different departments operate. n8n’s leadership sees automation as the next fundamental skill in business, akin to how spreadsheets revolutionised office work decades ago.
“We’re building for a future where AI-driven automation becomes as essential as Excel once was,” said Oberhauser. “Our mission is simple: make AI production-ready for everyone.”
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Clinton Nwachukwu is a crypto and finance writer with an MBA in Artificial Intelligence and 6+ years of experience creating content for leading global brands. He turns complex topics into clear, actionable insights for readers worldwide.