
SAPI secures $80 million funding to support small businesses
SAPI secures $80 million funding to support small businesses
- SAPI secured $80 million in a funding round led by Hudson Cove, consisting of $75 million in debt and $5 million in equity.
- The company, founded by former Goldman Sachs and AlixPartners executives, focuses on supporting small businesses, particularly immigrant- and female-owned.
- This funding aims to enhance SAPI's international presence and address the issues faced by small businesses in accessing external financing.
Story
In recent developments, SAPI, a small business financing platform leveraging technology to support entrepreneurs, has successfully closed a funding round totaling $80 million. This significant financial backing consists of $75 million derived from debt financing and $5 million from equity investments, with the round being led by Hudson Cove, a US-based alternative credit asset manager. Founded in 2020 by Mai Le, a former Goldman Sachs executive, and Alexis van Lennep, previously with AlixPartners, SAPI aims to facilitate better access to financial resources for small businesses, particularly those that are immigrant or female-owned. The increasing difficulties faced by smaller British businesses in accessing external funding triggered the establishment of SAPI. As reported by McKinsey, the embedded finance market is expected to exceed 100 billion Euros by 2030, highlighting the growing need for innovative financing solutions. By utilizing advanced financial technologies, SAPI seeks to address these gaps and bridge the funding divide that many start-ups encounter when they need it the most. As Mai Le stated, having appropriate backing at critical moments can fundamentally alter the trajectory of a business. SAPI is not only focused on the United Kingdom; the company has also expanded its presence internationally. Recently, it established a financial technology entity in Hanoi, Vietnam, to accelerate its growth in the Asia-Pacific region. This strategic move showcases SAPI’s commitment to broadening its impact and presence in global markets, thus supporting more small businesses that often lack the necessary resources to thrive. The backing from investors such as Triple A Capital and Passion Capital underscores the robust belief in SAPI’s mission and operational model. Their investment reinforces the potential for SAPI to reshape the financing landscape for entrepreneurs, particularly for those from underrepresented communities. As SAPI embarks on this significant journey of expansion and growth, the company aims to empower small business owners by alleviating the financial pressures they commonly face. This funding round is a pivotal step toward realizing SAPI's vision of making financial resources more accessible and equitable for all entrepreneurs, especially those founded by women or immigrants.