Confluent, a provider of a real-time data platform built around Apache Kafka, raised $125m in a Sequoia-led Series D funding round, valuing the company at $2.5bn. Index Ventures and Benchmark also participated in the funding round. “With our growth and momentum so far, and with the latest funding, we are in a very good position to and have a desire to build a strong, independent company,” Jay Kreps, Confluent CEO.