 |
- The round was led by OM/VC (formerly Vectr Fintech) and MS&AD Ventures. New investors include Citi North America and Rustem Family office. Returning investors include 500 Global, Epic Angels, 1982 VC, and Big Sky Capital.
- CrediLinq operates in the embedded finance sector, enabling B2B platforms to offer financing solutions. Its AI-powered technology infrastructure integrates into online platforms through APIs and leverages the platform's real time alternative data to provide credit seamlessly to SMEs at the point of need.
- Funds will be deployed to drive market expansion, strategic acquisitions and partnerships in the US, UK and Australia; boost local presence in Singapore; hire senior commercial, product and tech talent and invest in further technology enhancements.
SINGAPORE, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CrediLinq, the AI-powered embedded finance platform that is revolutionizing access to growth capital for underserved digital-first SMEs globally, announced today the close of its USD $8.5 million Series A funding round. The round was led by OM/VC and MS&AD Ventures. New investors include Citi North America and Rustem Family office. Returning investors include 500 Global, Epic Angels, 1982 VC and Big Sky Capital.
CrediLinq will immediately accelerate geographic expansion, starting with the United States and subsequently into the United Kingdom and Australia. The company will look to partner with larger digital platforms in these markets to drive user growth, enabling digitally native businesses transacting on platforms to access capital.
In addition, CrediLinq will strengthen its leadership bench in sales, marketing, product and tech to support expansion in the target markets. A significant portion of the funds will also be invested in enhancing the company's technology stack — with continual improvement of AI-led credit algorithms that use the SME's real-time digital footprint including platform data, unstructured data, bureau information and the like, to reduce non-performing loans (NPLs), improve 'Default On' collections, and build agentic workflows to drive efficiency.
Deep Singh, Founder and Group CEO of CrediLinq, remarked: "Today marks a pivotal moment for CrediLinq as we accelerate the growth of embedded finance globally, helping platforms empower digital native SMEs with flexible, transparent and more seamless access to capital. With this new funding, we are excited to deepen our partnerships, expand into new markets, and invest in senior talent and technology infrastructure that will support the next phase of our growth."
Vikram Kotibhaskar, Co-Founder of CrediLinq. added: "The embedded credit revolution continues to gain momentum, and CrediLinq is at the forefront of this innovation. By being integrated within platforms, our Credit-as-a-Service stack leverages API connectivity, transactional data and credit algorithms for quick decision-making at the point of need and offers easy checkout within the partner ecosystem. This results in a fast, frictionless and transparent customer experience and more ways for platforms to monetize their business. Our agentic workflows also drive efficiency and continuous monitoring to keep loan losses low. Platform partners benefit with higher stickiness, trust, and scalability that drives up GMV."
CrediLinq's solutions can be embedded across platforms that cover verticals of procurement, supply chain, e-commerce marketplaces, freelance platforms, banking, accounting, and payments. In the e-commerce space for example, CrediLinq has integrations with key marketplaces such as Amazon, Lazada and TikTok Shop.
Mark Munoz, Managing Partner at OM/VC commented: "As a long-term investor in Credilinq, we're proud to support their growth into a global leader in credit-as-a-service. Their innovative use of technologies like AI to drive positive revenue outcomes for clients is aligned with our investment philosophy. It's also encouraging to see that many of its users have reported consistent, immediate ROI from their crediting platforms, underscoring the value that Credilinq is delivering at scale."
Lee Smallwood, Global Head of Markets Innovation & Investments at Citi, said: "CrediLinq's innovative approach to embedded finance leverages AI to provide seamless credit solutions for digital-first SMEs, which complements our goal to transform financial services. Their platform's ability to integrate into diverse digital ecosystems positions them to make a significant impact globally."
Jon Soberg, Managing Partner at MS&AD Ventures, mentioned: "CrediLinq's AI-driven platform offers a scalable solution to B2B platforms that want to embed lending as a complementary, value-add offering. Their focus on embedding credit within digital workflows is exactly what today's rapidly evolving digital economy demands."
Vishal Harnal, Managing Partner at 500 Global, reflected: "We first backed CrediLinq in 2022 and are doubling down as they scale their AI-powered platform globally. Deep and his team bring exceptional domain expertise and execution, having already built a trusted, scalable model for embedded finance that allows them to expand beyond Southeast Asia."
For more information about CrediLinq's embedded finance platform and Series A milestones, please visit www.credilinq.ai.
About CrediLinq
CrediLinq is a technology infrastructure company with a proprietary Credit-as-a-Service stack. Their API-centric approach enables B2B platforms and banks to build financial products for merchants, enabling the financial empowerment of underserved digital native SMEs to build, grow and scale their business.
What sets CrediLinq apart is embedding lending solutions within these platforms and harnessing the platform's real-time alternative data, to offer business owners swift access to funding through AI-driven credit decisioning and agentic workflows. This empowers SMEs to manage cash flow by accessing seamless, flexible and transparent lending options.
The company holds a Capital Markets Services License under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), enabling it to raise and deploy institutional capital to support SME growth. CrediLinq is ISO 27001 certified for information security management and is a member of the Singapore Fintech Association.
About Citi
Citigroup (NYSE: C), a leading global bank, invests in and partners with innovative startups that are transforming financial services and other industries. Focus areas include fintech, data analytics, and enterprise solutions. For more information, visit https://www.citi.com.
About OM/VC
OMVC is an early-stage venture capital firm targeting investment opportunities in fintech, deep tech, climate tech and where they intersect. With presence in San Francisco, Honolulu, New York and Singapore, it deploys private capital across Seed to Series A companies and provides visionary founders with operating expertise, capital formation advisory and access to talent. Founded by a former entrepreneur and a regulatory innovator, OMVC aims to create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities it operates in through integrating human-centric and tech-forward approaches.
For more information, please visit: omvc.co.
About MS&AD Ventures
MS&AD Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, one of the world's largest insurance groups. MS&AD Ventures invests in early-stage startups advancing innovation across insurtech, fintech, and ESG sectors. For more information, visit https://msad.vc/.
About 500 Global
500 Global is a venture capital firm with US$2.2 billion in assets under management (as of 31 December 2024) investing in globally ambitious founders building fast-growing technology companies. The company focuses on the U.S. and global markets where innovation, capital, and ecosystems can propel startups and unlock long-term value. For more details, visit https://500.co/.
Multimedia Links
- The round was led by OM/VC (formerly Vectr Fintech) and MS&AD Ventures. New investors include Citi North America and Rustem Family office. Returning investors include 500 Global, Epic Angels, 1982 VC, and Big Sky Capital.
- CrediLinq operates in the embedded finance sector, enabling B2B platforms to offer financing solutions. Its AI-powered technology infrastructure integrates into online platforms through APIs and leverages the platform's real time alternative data to provide credit seamlessly to SMEs at the point of need.
- Funds will be deployed to drive market expansion, strategic acquisitions and partnerships in the US, UK and Australia; boost local presence in Singapore; hire senior commercial, product and tech talent and invest in further technology enhancements.
SINGAPORE, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CrediLinq, the AI-powered embedded finance platform that is revolutionizing access to growth capital for underserved digital-first SMEs globally, announced today the close of its USD $8.5 million Series A funding round. The round was led by OM/VC and MS&AD Ventures. New investors include Citi North America and Rustem Family office. Returning investors include 500 Global, Epic Angels, 1982 VC and Big Sky Capital.
CrediLinq will immediately accelerate geographic expansion, starting with the United States and subsequently into the United Kingdom and Australia. The company will look to partner with larger digital platforms in these markets to drive user growth, enabling digitally native businesses transacting on platforms to access capital.
In addition, CrediLinq will strengthen its leadership bench in sales, marketing, product and tech to support expansion in the target markets. A significant portion of the funds will also be invested in enhancing the company's technology stack — with continual improvement of AI-led credit algorithms that use the SME's real-time digital footprint including platform data, unstructured data, bureau information and the like, to reduce non-performing loans (NPLs), improve 'Default On' collections, and build agentic workflows to drive efficiency.
Deep Singh, Founder and Group CEO of CrediLinq, remarked: "Today marks a pivotal moment for CrediLinq as we accelerate the growth of embedded finance globally, helping platforms empower digital native SMEs with flexible, transparent and more seamless access to capital. With this new funding, we are excited to deepen our partnerships, expand into new markets, and invest in senior talent and technology infrastructure that will support the next phase of our growth."
Vikram Kotibhaskar, Co-Founder of CrediLinq. added: "The embedded credit revolution continues to gain momentum, and CrediLinq is at the forefront of this innovation. By being integrated within platforms, our Credit-as-a-Service stack leverages API connectivity, transactional data and credit algorithms for quick decision-making at the point of need and offers easy checkout within the partner ecosystem. This results in a fast, frictionless and transparent customer experience and more ways for platforms to monetize their business. Our agentic workflows also drive efficiency and continuous monitoring to keep loan losses low. Platform partners benefit with higher stickiness, trust, and scalability that drives up GMV."
CrediLinq's solutions can be embedded across platforms that cover verticals of procurement, supply chain, e-commerce marketplaces, freelance platforms, banking, accounting, and payments. In the e-commerce space for example, CrediLinq has integrations with key marketplaces such as Amazon, Lazada and TikTok Shop.
Mark Munoz, Managing Partner at OM/VC commented: "As a long-term investor in Credilinq, we're proud to support their growth into a global leader in credit-as-a-service. Their innovative use of technologies like AI to drive positive revenue outcomes for clients is aligned with our investment philosophy. It's also encouraging to see that many of its users have reported consistent, immediate ROI from their crediting platforms, underscoring the value that Credilinq is delivering at scale."
Lee Smallwood, Global Head of Markets Innovation & Investments at Citi, said: "CrediLinq's innovative approach to embedded finance leverages AI to provide seamless credit solutions for digital-first SMEs, which complements our goal to transform financial services. Their platform's ability to integrate into diverse digital ecosystems positions them to make a significant impact globally."
Jon Soberg, Managing Partner at MS&AD Ventures, mentioned: "CrediLinq's AI-driven platform offers a scalable solution to B2B platforms that want to embed lending as a complementary, value-add offering. Their focus on embedding credit within digital workflows is exactly what today's rapidly evolving digital economy demands."
Vishal Harnal, Managing Partner at 500 Global, reflected: "We first backed CrediLinq in 2022 and are doubling down as they scale their AI-powered platform globally. Deep and his team bring exceptional domain expertise and execution, having already built a trusted, scalable model for embedded finance that allows them to expand beyond Southeast Asia."
For more information about CrediLinq's embedded finance platform and Series A milestones, please visit www.credilinq.ai.
About CrediLinq
CrediLinq is a technology infrastructure company with a proprietary Credit-as-a-Service stack. Their API-centric approach enables B2B platforms and banks to build financial products for merchants, enabling the financial empowerment of underserved digital native SMEs to build, grow and scale their business.
What sets CrediLinq apart is embedding lending solutions within these platforms and harnessing the platform's real-time alternative data, to offer business owners swift access to funding through AI-driven credit decisioning and agentic workflows. This empowers SMEs to manage cash flow by accessing seamless, flexible and transparent lending options.
The company holds a Capital Markets Services License under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), enabling it to raise and deploy institutional capital to support SME growth. CrediLinq is ISO 27001 certified for information security management and is a member of the Singapore Fintech Association.
About Citi
Citigroup (NYSE: C), a leading global bank, invests in and partners with innovative startups that are transforming financial services and other industries. Focus areas include fintech, data analytics, and enterprise solutions. For more information, visit https://www.citi.com.
About OM/VC
OMVC is an early-stage venture capital firm targeting investment opportunities in fintech, deep tech, climate tech and where they intersect. With presence in San Francisco, Honolulu, New York and Singapore, it deploys private capital across Seed to Series A companies and provides visionary founders with operating expertise, capital formation advisory and access to talent. Founded by a former entrepreneur and a regulatory innovator, OMVC aims to create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities it operates in through integrating human-centric and tech-forward approaches.
For more information, please visit: omvc.co.
About MS&AD Ventures
MS&AD Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, one of the world's largest insurance groups. MS&AD Ventures invests in early-stage startups advancing innovation across insurtech, fintech, and ESG sectors. For more information, visit https://msad.vc/.
About 500 Global
500 Global is a venture capital firm with US$2.2 billion in assets under management (as of 31 December 2024) investing in globally ambitious founders building fast-growing technology companies. The company focuses on the U.S. and global markets where innovation, capital, and ecosystems can propel startups and unlock long-term value. For more details, visit https://500.co/.
Multimedia Links
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Global fintech CrediLinq Raises $8.5M Series A to Accelerate the Growth of B2B Embedded Finance
Global fintech CrediLinq Raises $8.5M Series A to Accelerate the Growth of B2B Embedded Finance
- CATL opens Middle East's first NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh —currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China.
- The facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions.
- It also functions as a regional ecosystem hub linking diverse stakeholders and resources to drive industrial synergy and sustainable growth.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 10, 2026, CATL opened the Middle East's first and currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China—the NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh—strengthening its after-sales presence in the Middle East and supporting the region's shift toward cleaner energy systems.
The opening comes as Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East advance ambitious electrification and decarbonization goals under Vision 2030 and similar national initiatives. Taking Saudi Arabia as an example, The Kingdom has set a goal to transition 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030, as part of a larger strategy to reduce emissions in the capital city by 50%. Sustainability policies are also driving the shift to electric equipment, such as promoting the use of electric forklifts, while encouraging the use of green energy on farms under the Saudi Green Initiative. However, progress is tempered by persistent challenges, including longstanding oil dependency, surging electricity demand, extreme climatic conditions, and limited charging and service infrastructure.
Strategically designed to overcome these obstacles, the Riyadh facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions.
Covering more than 7,000 square meters, the Riyadh center combines exhibition areas, diagnostics and maintenance zones, refurbishment facilities, training spaces, and a customer lounge. It is designed to serve not only as a localized service hub for the region and a showcase of CATL's system-level capabilities across electric mobility, energy storage, and intelligent electrification, but also as a platform that links diverse resources, fostering industrial synergy across the ecosystem.
A full-lifecycle approach to new energy services
Relying on CATL's deep R&D and extreme manufacturing capabilities, NING SERVICE Experience Center provides customers with full-lifecycle services that encompass battery diagnostics, repair, maintenance, rework, training, recycling, aftermarket logistics and warehousing. Its services span over seven major product categories—from passenger and commercial vehicles to energy storage systems—along with diverse repair scenarios, setting a new benchmark for new energy service delivery in the region.
Leveraging CATL's advanced diagnostics and repair expertise, along with established service processes, the center's comprehensive after-sales services
helps enterprise customers reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and extend asset life, providing greater certainty around long-term performance and residual value while reducing long-term ownership costs and delivering more cost-effective and reliable services for end users.
Advancing localized operations and capability building
The Riyadh center serves as a key platform for CATL's localized operations in the Middle East, supporting talent development and long-term local value creation. Through dedicated training facilities, CATL builds after-sales and technical expertise in the new energy sector, contributing to skilled employment and knowledge transfer across the Middle East. Globally, NING SERVICE operates 10 training centers, totalling 2,300 square meters, and has certified more than 9,700 new energy after-sales professionals through partnerships with vocational institutions.
Beyond talent development, CATL is deepening its localization strategy by reinforcing local infrastructure and building ecosystem partnerships. CATL is in discussion with top-tier local industry players—including fuel network operators to rapidly provide green electricity to gas stations and major infrastructure companies to electrify their truck fleets, as well as energy companies to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions.
These initiatives not only bolster CATL's local service capabilities and market confidence, but also by enabling key partners, jointly drive the scaled adoption of comprehensive new energy solutions across the Middle East.
"As a leading energy company in Saudi Arabia, we see tremendous opportunities in energy transformation. For instance, we plan to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions at our gas stations and electrify forklifts to reduce reliance on oil. We look forward to collaborating with top players like CATL to drive this transition forward," said Ahmed Ibrahim，Assistant General Manager For Procurement of Al Drees, a leading provider of petroleum and logistics services in Saudi Arabia.
"The launch of CATL's Riyadh aftermarket flagship underscores our shared commitment to driving the global energy transition. This milestone not only reflects the growing demand for sustainable solutions in Saudi Arabia but also embodies our collective vision for a cleaner, electrified future. As the investor behind the experience centre, we are confident that this partnership will accelerate electrification and strengthen the region's role in advancing the energy transition." said Lin Chaofan, CEO of F4S.
Part of a global network
The Saudi Arabia opening builds on CATL's global service footprint, which includes more than 1,200 professional service stations across 76 countries and 73 spare-parts warehouses worldwide. CATL ranks No. 1 globally in spare parts inventory stocked with 100% genuine parts, with a total warehouse area of more than 370,000 square meters. To date, NING SERVICE has supported more than six million electric vehicles, providing professional after-sales services for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage customers.
A long-term commitment to the Middle East
Bruce Li, President of Quality System, Aftermarket Business, Battery Management System Department at CATL, said the Riyadh center reflects a strategic, long-term view of the region.
"Our decision to establish this center in Riyadh is not only a commercial choice, but a long-term commitment," Li said. "As the first NING SERVICE Experience Center in the Middle East, it is more than a service facility. It is a new energy aftermarket ecosystem hub that brings together advanced technology, professional training, and industry collaboration—effectively connecting diverse stakeholders and resources to foster deeper synergy and sustainable growth across the region. Starting from here, CATL will continue to expand its after-sales service network across the Middle East, align closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and support the region's energy transition through a reliable, end-to-end service system."
As the Middle East accelerates its shift toward electrification and energy storage adoption, CATL's expanded NING SERVICE presence is poised to deliver the technical reliability and sustained partnerships essential for this transformation.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 10, 2026, CATL opened the Middle East's first and currently the largest new energy aftermarket facility outside China—the NING SERVICE Experience Center in Riyadh—strengthening its after-sales presence in the Middle East and supporting the region's shift toward cleaner energy systems.
The opening comes as Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East advance ambitious electrification and decarbonization goals under Vision 2030 and similar national initiatives. Taking Saudi Arabia as an example, The Kingdom has set a goal to transition 30% of all vehicles in Riyadh to electric by 2030, as part of a larger strategy to reduce emissions in the capital city by 50%. Sustainability policies are also driving the shift to electric equipment, such as promoting the use of electric forklifts, while encouraging the use of green energy on farms under the Saudi Green Initiative. However, progress is tempered by persistent challenges, including longstanding oil dependency, surging electricity demand, extreme climatic conditions, and limited charging and service infrastructure.
Strategically designed to overcome these obstacles, the Riyadh facility offers comprehensive full-lifecycle after-sales support, cultivates local technical talent and accelerates the deployment of advanced electrification and energy storage solutions.
Covering more than 7,000 square meters, the Riyadh center combines exhibition areas, diagnostics and maintenance zones, refurbishment facilities, training spaces, and a customer lounge. It is designed to serve not only as a localized service hub for the region and a showcase of CATL's system-level capabilities across electric mobility, energy storage, and intelligent electrification, but also as a platform that links diverse resources, fostering industrial synergy across the ecosystem.
A full-lifecycle approach to new energy services
Relying on CATL's deep R&D and extreme manufacturing capabilities, NING SERVICE Experience Center provides customers with full-lifecycle services that encompass battery diagnostics, repair, maintenance, rework, training, recycling, aftermarket logistics and warehousing. Its services span over seven major product categories—from passenger and commercial vehicles to energy storage systems—along with diverse repair scenarios, setting a new benchmark for new energy service delivery in the region.
Leveraging CATL's advanced diagnostics and repair expertise, along with established service processes, the center's comprehensive after-sales services
helps enterprise customers reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and extend asset life, providing greater certainty around long-term performance and residual value while reducing long-term ownership costs and delivering more cost-effective and reliable services for end users.
Advancing localized operations and capability building
The Riyadh center serves as a key platform for CATL's localized operations in the Middle East, supporting talent development and long-term local value creation. Through dedicated training facilities, CATL builds after-sales and technical expertise in the new energy sector, contributing to skilled employment and knowledge transfer across the Middle East. Globally, NING SERVICE operates 10 training centers, totalling 2,300 square meters, and has certified more than 9,700 new energy after-sales professionals through partnerships with vocational institutions.
Beyond talent development, CATL is deepening its localization strategy by reinforcing local infrastructure and building ecosystem partnerships. CATL is in discussion with top-tier local industry players—including fuel network operators to rapidly provide green electricity to gas stations and major infrastructure companies to electrify their truck fleets, as well as energy companies to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions.
These initiatives not only bolster CATL's local service capabilities and market confidence, but also by enabling key partners, jointly drive the scaled adoption of comprehensive new energy solutions across the Middle East.
"As a leading energy company in Saudi Arabia, we see tremendous opportunities in energy transformation. For instance, we plan to deploy solar-plus-storage solutions at our gas stations and electrify forklifts to reduce reliance on oil. We look forward to collaborating with top players like CATL to drive this transition forward," said Ahmed Ibrahim，Assistant General Manager For Procurement of Al Drees, a leading provider of petroleum and logistics services in Saudi Arabia.
"The launch of CATL's Riyadh aftermarket flagship underscores our shared commitment to driving the global energy transition. This milestone not only reflects the growing demand for sustainable solutions in Saudi Arabia but also embodies our collective vision for a cleaner, electrified future. As the investor behind the experience centre, we are confident that this partnership will accelerate electrification and strengthen the region's role in advancing the energy transition." said Lin Chaofan, CEO of F4S.
Part of a global network
The Saudi Arabia opening builds on CATL's global service footprint, which includes more than 1,200 professional service stations across 76 countries and 73 spare-parts warehouses worldwide. CATL ranks No. 1 globally in spare parts inventory stocked with 100% genuine parts, with a total warehouse area of more than 370,000 square meters. To date, NING SERVICE has supported more than six million electric vehicles, providing professional after-sales services for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and energy storage customers.
A long-term commitment to the Middle East
Bruce Li, President of Quality System, Aftermarket Business, Battery Management System Department at CATL, said the Riyadh center reflects a strategic, long-term view of the region.
"Our decision to establish this center in Riyadh is not only a commercial choice, but a long-term commitment," Li said. "As the first NING SERVICE Experience Center in the Middle East, it is more than a service facility. It is a new energy aftermarket ecosystem hub that brings together advanced technology, professional training, and industry collaboration—effectively connecting diverse stakeholders and resources to foster deeper synergy and sustainable growth across the region. Starting from here, CATL will continue to expand its after-sales service network across the Middle East, align closely with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and support the region's energy transition through a reliable, end-to-end service system."
As the Middle East accelerates its shift toward electrification and energy storage adoption, CATL's expanded NING SERVICE presence is poised to deliver the technical reliability and sustained partnerships essential for this transformation.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh
CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh
CATL Opens Middle East's Largest New Energy Aftermarket Facility in Riyadh
