The Hague-based Braid, whose API lets companies sell eSIM mobile plans under their own brand via 600+ carriers, raised a ~$38M Series A led by Octopus Ventures

Embedded eSIMs are now available for integration into any consumer product or service with a one-week deployment timeline.

The Hague-based startup Braid, formerly Next Communications, has secured approximately $38 million in a Series A funding round led by Octopus Ventures. This round marks the company's first external capital since its founding in 2023. KPN Ventures also participated in the investment. Braid provides a single API that allows businesses to embed eSIM mobile plans under their own brand, connecting to over 600 carriers globally. The company claims its solution can reduce the complex process of setting up mobile connectivity from months to minutes, enabling live trials in three minutes and full brand-led launches in a week. Braid's founders, with prior experience in the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) space, aim to simplify infrastructure for embedded connectivity. The company plans to use the funds for international expansion, enhancing its carrier network, and strengthening its infrastructure.

This funding round signals a significant validation of the embedded connectivity market and Braid's approach to simplifying complex telecom infrastructure. By abstracting away the need for businesses to become mobile operators, Braid is enabling a new wave of 'connectivity-as-a-service' offerings. This impacts a broad range of industries, from FinTech and travel to telecommunications, by lowering the barrier to entry for providing seamless mobile plans. The success of Braid could spur further innovation in how connectivity is bundled and delivered as a feature within existing customer experiences.

The rapid deployment capabilities highlighted by Braid, such as three-minute trials, suggest a maturing market where speed and ease of integration are becoming key differentiators. For enterprises, this means a faster time-to-market for new revenue streams or enhanced customer loyalty programs. The involvement of established players like KPN Ventures indicates a strategic interest from traditional telecom operators in understanding and potentially partnering with or acquiring innovators in this space. Future developments to watch include how Braid scales its carrier network and addresses potential regulatory hurdles in new markets.