Fresha Hits $1 Billion Valuation With $80 Million KKR Investment

Beauty-and-wellness scheduling software company Fresha has reached a $1 billion valuation following an $80 million investment from funds managed by KKR.

The London-based startup announced the new valuation and the funding on May 21, 2026.

The investment aims to support the company’s efforts to scale its operations and integrate advanced technology into the beauty and wellness sector.

“Fresha has built a differentiated platform, combining software, financial services, and marketplace capabilities with embedded AI, in a way that is deeply integrated into daily operations of beauty and wellness businesses,” Patrick Devine, a KKR partner and member of the firm’s tech growth team, said in a news release.

“We believe the company is well positioned to continue scaling globally as demand grows for modern, vertical-specific technology solutions,” Devine added.

Company Scale and Strategic Goals

Founded in 2015 by Nicholas Miller and William Zeqiri, Fresha provides scheduling and management tools for more than 130,000 beauty and wellness businesses globally. The platform serves various sectors, including hair, beauty, barbering, nails, aesthetics, wellness, fitness, and spa services.

The software currently facilitates more than 35 million appointments every month. Fresha intends to use the $80 million in new capital to accelerate its global expansion and develop next-generation product and AI innovation.

AI Integration in the Beauty Industry

The funding comes as the broader beauty industry undergoes a digital transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Companies are increasingly implementing AI for functions ranging from supply chain forecasting and generative marketing to real-time consultations and foundation matching.

Large-scale enterprises have already integrated these technologies to improve customer retention and operational efficiency. Ulta Beauty uses machine learning to power its personalization and loyalty systems, integrating store interactions, purchase histories, and shopper profiles to offer targeted recommendations.

According to reporting from PYMNTS, this system has contributed to a 95% repurchase rate among returning customers at Ulta Beauty while utilizing automated inventory forecasting and scheduling to improve labor efficiency.

Similarly, L’Oréal has deployed AI for personalization and virtual diagnostics. CEO Nicolas Hieronimus described this shift as a revolution in augmented beauty, with AI tools analyzing millions of customer selfies to provide skincare and shade recommendations in real time.

Impact on Independent Businesses

The adoption of AI is not limited to global corporations. A report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicates that independent beauty startups are utilizing shade-matching tools and AI-powered assistants to grow their operations.

One startup reported that nearly three-quarters of its orders are now generated through consultation features and virtual try-ons. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce report noted that these low-cost tools allow smaller brands to compete with larger enterprise players without the need for complex infrastructure or large data teams.

Smaller brands, such as Beekman 1802, have stated that AI tools enable them to build stronger community engagement and create more personalized educational content for their customers.