FinovateEurope 2016 / Capitalise.com
Presenter Profile:
How they describe themselves: Capitalise makes it easy for SMEs and their advisors to find, compare and select funding. With so many lenders in the market, Capitalise simplifies the search process and uses the latest technology to generate objective, intelligent matches, giving businesses the power to choose the most appropriate funding product. We’ve established a marketplace where lenders, SMEs and their advisers can join forces in comparing and executing loans. Capitalise is based on the belief that every company should not just get a financing offer, but receive the right one, with the highest likelihood of approval. In turn, SMEs using Capitalise are twice as likely to get funded.
How they describe their product/innovation: Our platform uses behavioural data, based on past successes, to match and rank lenders while our algorithms currently compare over 2500 data points (and growing) to find the most suitable funding solutions and improve the likelihood of success. In addition, our advanced platform allows businesses to collaborate with their accountants or advisors in the application process. They can submit information and documents to lenders and even manage the loan process on behalf of a business.
Product distribution strategy: Direct to Business (B2B)
Website: capitalise.com
Blog: capitalise.com/insights
Twitter: @capitalisers
HQ: London, UK
Founded: October 2014
Product Demoed: capitalise.com
Product Launch: April 2015
Metrics: Capitalise was self-funded through its beta launch in April 2015 and raised seed finance from private investors in August of that same year. More than 50 institutional lenders (including high street and challenger banks, alternative finance and independents) are part of our network, and we continue to increase that number monthly. Over a three-month period, nearly 200 businesses signed up to our platform and submitted £42 million in loan enquiries of which 39% were either extended an offer or issued funding. The company currently has nine employees.
Presenters: Paul Surtees (MD & Co-Founder), Ollie Maitland (Product Director & Co-Founder)
- Key Executives
Paul Surtees (Managing Director & Co-Founder), Ollie Maitland (Product Director & Co-Founder)
Key Stats
- Key Investors
Our investors include seven high net worth individuals associated with companies such as Virgin, Ofsted, Goldman Sachs and Toronto Dominion.
- Key Partnerships
Capitalise has formed relationships with large accounting firms and associations, such as PKF International and the Association of UK Accountants, to help businesses uncover and address potential roadblocks to getting a loan before approaching a lender.
- Key Customers
Capitalise services are well suited to SMEs at various revenue levels and stages of growth. During the past year, we have built industry specialisations in construction, temporary recruitment, fashion, wholesale retail and accounting.