CapRelease, the UK’s first logistics-embedded finance platform, has secured £1.7 million in pre-seed funding to redefine how eCommerce retailers access capital. The round was led by a global FinTech-focused family office with significant holdings in leading UK neobanks, alongside a group of experienced angel investors.
The investment marks the largest early-stage LendTech round in Europe in the past two years. This highlights the growing demand for the next generation of FinTech funding solutions and also aligns with the UK government’s focus on economic growth and SME support.
Despite the £180 billion UK eCommerce sector’s rapid expansion (Emarketer), many SME retailers still struggle to access capital due to rigid lending criteria and limited use of data. CapRelease is bridging this gap with an industry-first embedded finance model, integrating directly into logistics platforms to provide funding based on both real-time inventory value and financial performance.
This blended revenue and inventory-based finance model allows eCommerce retailers to unlock capital quickly, using real-time stock and sales data instead of relying on personal guarantees or equity dilution.
The global eCommerce market is on track to surpass £5 trillion (Statista), yet many high-growth SME retailers remain underserved by traditional lenders. CapRelease’s data-driven approach ensures capital is deployed precisely when and where it’s needed, aligning with retailers’ requirements to finance sustainable growth.
By partnering with the UK’s logistics network, CapRelease is positioned to support thousands of online businesses by providing efficient, flexible capital at scale - reinforcing the UK’s position as a leader in digital commerce innovation.
CapRelease will use the £1.7 million funding to:
