Klarna, an online payments service that lets people shop safely and simply, announced today that it has received $155 million of financing from DST Global and General Atlantic. With the support of its new investors and continuing investor Sequoia Capital, Klarna will use the capital to expand into new geographies, hire more world-class talent and fuel its rapid growth in existing markets.

"Klarna is unique in the world of online payments, because we separate the fun experience of buying from the tedious process of paying", said Sebastian Siemiatkowski, co-founder and CEO of Klarna. With Klarna, payment is not due until after delivery. "Over 40% of transactions in participating online stores are handled by Klarna, rivaling the major credit card companies as the most preferred payment method online."

With 6 million shoppers already using Klarna for simpler online payments, Klarna is rapidly becoming the most trusted payment service in Europe. Already today, Klarna handles over $2.5 billion worth of transactions annually for its 14.000 connected merchants. Founded 2005 in Stockholm, the company has grown from three founders to over 600 employees. Klarna is profitable, has doubled its revenues in 2011 and experienced 1,100 percent growth in Germany, its most recent market entry. Based on this strong foundation, Klarna now prepares to launch new European markets. The investment by DST Global and General Atlantic will facilitate this expansion and help cement Klarna as a leader in online payments.

"The added support of these world class investors to our current partners will enable us to spread Klarna to more countries and more people, and is an essential step in reaching our 'zero friction vision' for buying online," said Sebastian Siemiatkowski, co-founder and CEO of Klarna.

The two new investors add substantial support for Klarna's future growth by providing sector specific expertise. DST Global is one of the leading global investment groups to exclusively focus on Internet companies, with investments such as Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, 360Buy and Alibaba Group. General Atlantic is a strategic, growth-oriented investor in the financial services sector and in Internet technology companies such as Alibaba Group, Mercado Libre, Facebook, Dice, Privalia, Ren Ren and Gilt.

Klarna has previously been fortunate to secure backing by another high profile investor: In 2010, Sequoia Capital became its single largest shareholder, aside from the company's founders, with partner Michael Moritz joining its Board of Directors. Sequoia continues to be instrumental in facilitating Klarna's growth efforts.