Ridge Ventures funds experienced founders redefining how the world interacts with software.    Whether for the cloud or the edge, we look for companies delivering advanced technologies, new distribution models and incredible user experiences to market.    While we’re focused on SaaS and infrastructure solutions for the enterprise, we also back startups in adtech, gaming and ecommerce.    We are firm believers in “where there’s a big problem, there’s a big opportunity.”  We love Series A deals and helping create something out of chaos.

Ridge Ventures

PAR Capital Management is a Massachusetts-based private investment company focused on long-term investments.

PAR Capital Management

LaunchCapital invests in entrepreneurs who build the future. It focuses on the seed and early stages of development. They plan to make significant follow-on investments in exceptional companies as they continue growing.

LaunchCapital

Thayer Ventures (Thayer) invests in technology companies with a focus on the travel industry. This industry represent more than $10 trillion in annual global economic activity, is thriving with entrepreneurial activity due to disruptive changes within the sector that began more than a decade ago. Recent consumer trends have accelerated this disruption for operators across the travel world, creating unprecedented opportunities for technology providers to make significant inroads into what was previously a closed market. Additionally, travel industry suppliers are dealing with massive shifts in travel planning, organizing and booking driven by the Internet and social media platforms. As a result, the travel industry is being forced to rapidly deploy new technologies in order to exploit the opportunities created by this shifting consumer behavior. The combination of these factors has created a unique environment for innovative technology providers to make significant inroads into this massive, growing, and evolving marketplace.

Thayer Ventures

The hardest thing for early stage B2B Startups is to find the first customer who can validate your Product Market Fit and grow your business together. Since 2011, they have created more than 100 partnerships between startups and Fortune 500 companies by leveraging their CXO network with Global Conglomerates.

DNX Ventures

Highgate Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in investments across all stages of development with a focus on seed, early, mid, late, emerging growth, and follow on investments.  The firm prefers to invest in technology companies with a focus on Internet infrastructure, enterprise software, and next-generation eServices. Within Internet infrastructure sector, it seeks to invest in intelligent content delivery, voice recognition, caching and load balancing, wireless, XML platforms, networking, and ASP infrastructure software. Its enterprise software investments includes eCommerce platforms; business intelligence including data mining, data warehousing, analytics, knowledge management; enterprise middleware (application servers), Internet payment and billing; eProcurement; customer relationship management systems; partner relationship management systems; enterprise marketing systems; personalization and profiling; supply chain management; content and catalog, management; collaboration; XML applications; enterprise application integration; and cross enterprise integration. Within next-generation eServices sector, the firm invests in management and application service providers, eLearning focused companies, open source application providers, and wireless enterprise-enablers.

Highgate Ventures

Good AI Capital is a venture fund focusing on early-stage AI companies. With a mission-driven thesis of doing well by doing good, we invest in technical founders who are keen on applying AI towards solving some of the acutest problems faced across industries. This investment thesis is based on the conviction that a mission-driven organization can create competitive advantages in customer loyalty, corporate productivity, employee retention and talent sourcing and ultimately accomplishes outsized profitability. By blending this thesis with our partners’ successful entrepreneurial experiences, strategic partnerships as well as our deep technical expertise, we have a formula for identifying and building the most transformative AI companies of tomorrow in fintech, healthcare and enterprise software.

Good AI Capital

Madrone Capital Partners is a Private equity firm associated with Rob Walton, the eldest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton. It specializes in the fields of asset management, cleantech, and finance.  It was founded in 2005 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California.

Madrone Capital Partners

H. Barton Asset Management is a VC firm specializing in start-ups and early stage investments.

H. Barton Asset Management

Uplift

Uplift is an enterprise buy now, oay later solution serving over 100 of the world's top travel brands. Through personalized, flexible payment options, Uplift helps consumers take control of their budget and experience a world of travel. With a complete range of payment options, Uplift unlocks higher conversions and lifetime customer value for merchant partners.

Uplift is a BNPL platform for the travel sector founded by Brian Barth, who sold his travel startup SideStep to discount travel site Kayak for USD 200 million in December 2007. Uplift works with travel partners across airlines (15 in total), cruise lines, tour operators, and travel agencies to convert travel packages into 6-11 monthly installments (applicable for purchases as low as $100). The platform does not charge late or prepayment fees but interest is charged in the range of 0%-36% APR. Uplift reported a 72% growth in monthly transaction revenue in Q4 2020.

Buy Now, Pay Later

Jeff Bell of Uplift talks leadership coaching and tech to ready for the refi wave

Uplift is a BNPL platform for the travel sector founded by Brian Barth, who sold his travel startup SideStep to discount travel site Kayak for USD 200 million in December 2007. Uplift works with travel partners across airlines (15 in total), cruise lines, tour operators, and travel agencies to convert travel packages into 6-11 monthly installments (applicable for purchases as low as $100). The platform does not charge late or prepayment fees but interest is charged in the range of 0%-36% APR. Uplift reported a 72% growth in monthly transaction revenue in Q4 2020.Key customers and partnershipsIn February 2023, Uplift partnered with cruise line Margaritaville at Sea, to offer its guests BNPL solutions for cruise bookings Previous partnerships include that with Universal Air Travel Plan (March 2019, to offer installment payments directly through the travel partners’ online booking systems that go through the UATP network). Its travel partners include American Airlines, Air Canada, CheapCruises.com, and Hurtigruten, among others. In April 2021, the company signed on with Southwest Airlines, followed by a partnership with travel booking platform Vegas.com in June 2021.Funding and financialsIn <a href="https://www.uplift.com/buy-now-pay-later-travel-leader-uplift-raises-68m-in-credit-financing-to-support-rapid-growth-in-anticipation-of-2021-travel-industry-rebound/">January 2020 </a>, Uplift secured a USD 68 million line of credit from Atalaya Capital Management. The funds were locked up to cater to the pent-up demand for travel, which was expected to return in 2021, to expand into new verticals and originate loans.In January 2021, the company revealed that it expected to process more than USD 1 billion in volume on its platform over the upcoming 18 months. In addition, Barth stated that before the pandemic-led downturn in the travel industry in 2020, the platform was experiencing threefold YoY revenue growth and expects the same for 2021.

Openpay is an Australian BNPL platform launched in 2016 offering flexible payment plans with deferments ranging between 2-24 months for transactions from AUD 50 to AUD 20,000 (approximately USD 36-USD 14,600). The platform focuses on the automotive, healthcare, home improvement, memberships, and education industries. In December 2019, Openpay was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, raising AUD 50 million (approximately USD 35 million) in the process. This was roughly two years after it had to abruptly cancel its initial IPO plans and raised AUD 10 million (approximately USD 8 million) instead.Openpay’s B2C solution offers equal weekly and bi-weekly installment plans at no interest, with longer terms typically offered for larger ticket purchases. Its proprietary risk management technology drives the platform’s credit decisions, and it integrates with leading e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, PrestaShop, Magento, and WooCommerce. Furthermore, Openpay has a B2B trade account management solution that is separate from its BNPL service.Openpay generates revenue through merchant fees, which represent a percentage of the transaction value, customer fees (including late fees), an initial establishment fee, and a recurring plan management fee.Initially available in Australia and New Zealand, Openpay expanded its operations to the UK in June 2019, followed by a US launch in December 2020 under the brand Opy. However, it withdrew from the UK BNPL market in March 2022 citing its inability to compete in the market. It also revealed that it will continue to offer longer-term repayment plans for dental procedures and car repairs in the UK through partnerships.Key customers and partnershipsIt entered the veterinary market in the US via a partnership with ezyVet, which provides cloud-based software for veterinary professionals, and its plans are expected to be available on ezyVet platforms by early FY2022 in the US. It partnered with contactless payments firm Everyware in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/5954">October 2021 </a>to offer the first-ever Pay-by-Text BNPL solution, followed by a tie up with American Express in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7084">December 2021 </a>.Openpay secured a strategic partnership with the payments processor Worldpay and Cross River Bank. As a result, Openpay’s payment plans were integrated with Worldpay’s payment gateway as the merchant acquirer for Openpay in the US, while Cross River was expected to serve as <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/5806">Openpay’s lender </a>for consumer financing loans to US customers, meaning it will fund and originate all loans on Openpay’s US platform. However, in July 2022, Openpay announced that it’s ceasing operations in the US market owing to economic headwinds stemming from rising interest rates and deteriorating consumer sentiment.

Openpay

PrimaHealth Credit (PrimaHealth) is a BNPL solution designated for elective medical procedures such as cataract surgery, orthodontic work, dental care, LASIK, and addiction treatment. PrimaHealth’s credit decision-making is handled in-house using proprietary credit underwriting models. With PrimaHealth, patients would pay 25% to 50% of the cost upfront, and the residual cost, running from USD 300 to USD 24,000, can be repaid over 2-4 months. PrimaHealth’s interest rates range from around 0% to 25% APR with an average loan size of USD 1,800 across all types of procedures.As of December 2020, PrimaHealth was available in Arizona, California, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas, and plans to expand across all 50 states by 2021.

PrimaHealth Credit

Laybuy is a New Zealand-based BNPL provider offering its services in Australia, the US (beta launched in December 2020), and the UK through a partnership with the streetwear retailer Footasylum in 2019. The platform partners with Experian, a multinational credit bureau, to help with its credit decision-making. Through Laybuy, users can make online or in-store purchases over six weekly payments with no interest charges if paid on time. The in-store offering is facilitated by Laybuy’s “Tap to Pay'' digital card, available in Australia and New Zealand as of March 2021 and launched in August 2021 in the UK. The platform has an average customer transaction limit of GBP 240, and any missed payments will result in the user account being suspended and a late fee of USD 10.In FY2022, the platform reported gross merchandise volume (GMV) of NZD 868 million (~USD 600 million), reflecting 47% YoY growth. The platform’s revenue grew by 45% YoY to NZD 47.1 million (~USD 32.8 million). The UK operation accounted for the majority (~60%) of GMV in FY2022, improving on its ~50% share last year. The company also revealed that total active customers increased 23% YoY to 931,000, while total active merchants grew 50% YoY to 13,700. Laybuy was listed on the ASX from September 2020 to March 2023, after which it was <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15915">delisted</a>.Laybuy issued <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30597">receivership notice</a> in June 2024 due to financial pressures and economic challenges affecting its operations in New Zealand and Australia. The company stated that Laybuy Group Holdings Limited, Laybuy Holdings Limited, and Laybuy Australia Pty Limited were placed for receivership on 17 June and that its UK entities remain unaffected.Key customers and partnershipsIn May 2023, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/976316">​​ </a>Laybuy collaborated with New Zealand-based Centrix, a credit bureau, to develop a credit reporting system, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18326">PayWatch </a>. The company also <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18595">partnered with Eventfinda </a>, an event ticketing and marketing platform, to embed its BNPL solution and offer flexible payment options for event tickets. Laybuy secured partnerships with merchants such as Rakuten, AWIN, and Sovrn, giving users access to more than 5,000 merchants in the UK, including WHSmith, Asos, Nike, Marks &amp; Spencer, Amazon, and eBay.

Laybuy

Tamara is a Saudi Arabian BNPL platform provider offering customers the option to pay in 30 days or in three installments over 60 days at zero interest, making it Shariah-compliant. Tamara settles payments with merchants weekly for a commission-based fee, charging a late payment penalty of SAR 25 (approximately USD 7) from customers. These charges are capped at a lower rate between SAR 150 or 25% of the total transaction value. In September 2020, Tamara established a partnership with the e-commerce platform Salla, extending its reach to more than 10,000 merchants on the platform. As of June 2021, it operates in Saudi Arabia and the UAE with offices in Germany and Vietnam. In July 2023, Tamara <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19954">secured a permit </a>to operate its flexible payment services from the Saudi Central Bank following a trial period of operation within the Saudi Arabian regulatory framework.Key customers and partnershipsThe company claims to be the market leader in the BNPL space in Saudi. It reported that its transaction volume grew 170% month-on-month and its customer base increased 180% month-on-month over the six months preceding its Series A round. As of January 2023, the platform had serviced over 9 million registered users and had over 30,000 merchant partners, including partnerships with firms such as IKEA, Jarir, Shein and Namshi.<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27305">In March 2024</a>, Tamara partnered with UK-based <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/615710">Uqudo</a>, a digital identity verification platform, to enhance privacy and security on digital transactions. <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25271">In January 2023</a>, the company partnered with Egypt-based <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/497895">Paymob</a>, a payment gateway platform, to provide an integrated solution that facilitated installment payments for customers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.Funding and financialsIn <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/24016">November 2023</a>, Tamara secured up to USD 250 million in debt financing from Goldman Sachs and Shorooq Partners. It comprises an incremental debt financing of USD 200 million of senior debt provided by Goldman Sachs (bringing its senior warehouse facility up to USD 350 million, an increase from USD 150 million raised in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17139">March 2023</a>) and USD 50 million mezzanine tranche led by Shorooq Partners, which brings the total warehouse facility up to USD 400 million. The company earmarked the funds to service its growing BNPL product demand and invest in developing new products and services.

Tamara

Fly Now Pay Later is a UK-based consumer credit provider regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The platform provides its services exclusively to the travel sector through a direct-to-consumer app (Anywhere) and an integrated checkout solution. The platform allows consumers to spread the cost of travel over a maximum of 12 months, with a limit of GBP 3,000 (approximately USD 4,200). The plans’ interest rates vary depending on the applicant's borrowing history; therefore, users may incur a one-off credit transaction fee. The payment plans can be applied to flight bookings, hotels, and car hires.The company has partnered with travel brands such as Lastminute.com, TravelUp, Kayak, LycaFly, and Trivago.The company secured GBP 55 million (approx. USD 75 million) in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates?industryIds=58">debt funding </a>from Atalaya Capital Management. The round follows its extended Series A round worth GBP 10 million (approx. USD 14 million) in May 2021. The debt infusion is earmarked to support its expansion efforts in the US, which it entered into in 2020.

Fly Now Pay Later

The providers plug into merchant checkouts and convert business purchases into installments.

These platforms integrate with the merchant’s e-commerce checkout and primarily offer the BNPL solution through their app. Consumers are restricted to shopping at merchants integrated with the provider in most cases.

These providers integrate with the merchant’s e-commerce checkout. The service is offered through the provider’s app or a virtual card that facilitates in-store application, including non-partnered retailers.

These companies offer merchants and financial institutions a white-label product to provide in-house BNPL solutions.

Solutions can use AI/ML to improve the quality of underwriting tools used in assessing consumers

Use of blockchain technology for customer screening is an emerging area

Making banking work, without the paperwork

Uplift

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