In today’s top news from Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), German venture capitalist Earlybird closes a $370 million fund and backs two newly created unicorns. Additionally, Mastercard is partnering with MultiPay to provide installment payment options to customers in Ireland, and Bank Muscat of Oman is unveiling new electronic payment options.

Earlybird investment portfolio includes 2 new unicorns as it closes $370 million fund

Berlin-based venture capital firm Earlybird has closed its seventh seed fund from its Digital West investment team at a cap of 350 million euros (around $370 million) and is among the backers of a pair of new unicorns – private companies with valuations of at least $1 billion. Earlybrid’s Fund VII is an oversubscribed fund that will support companies in the enterprise software, FinTech and sustainability sectors.

MultiPay launches installment payments with Mastercard

MultiPay Global Solutions and Mastercard are collaborating on an installment product to provide consumers with payment flexibility when shopping in-store and online. “Consumers now expect the same features and services they have learned about online to also be part of the in-store experience,” said David Maisey, CEO of MultiPay Global Solutions.

Bank of Oman Muscat launches QR code payments

Oman-based financial services provider Bank Muscat is rolling out new electronic payment options designed to promote financial inclusion and digital payments. The bank has expanded electronic payment options for debit and credit cards, wearable devices and mobile wallets, while adding QR code options. Bank Muscat said its business customers can add QR code payments to comply with new regulations allowing businesses to offer electronic payment options to customers.

TreviPay helps Compaynet power B2B trade credit

B2B payment and credit management company TreviPay is working with payment processor Compaynet to power its B2B trade credit offering. Working with TreviPay, Compaynet – headquartered in the UK and Italy – will now offer an integrated trade finance solution to these B2B customers, allowing them to offload the administrative functions of Accounts Receivable (AR) so that they can focus more on their business.

Zilch expands D2C BNPL with cash back in the US

UK start-up Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Zilch is expanding its direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform in the US. Based in London and co-founded by CEO Philip Belamant, Zilch has over 2 million UK customers and adds over 250,000 new users per month. The company has so far raised $400 million in debt and equity from investors including Goldman Sachs.