A Manchester startup redefining mobile commerce has raised pre-seed investment led by DSW Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of DSW Capital.
TheNextLevel says it is pioneering 鈥楥ommunity Commerce鈥�, allowing online brands to leverage the power of social commerce without being reliant on Big Tech.
Richard Hong, co-founder of eCommerce personal care brand owner Pangaea Holdings and technology and logistics platform OpenBorder, also contributed to the round.聽
Elizabeth Gooch MBE, a prominent non-executive and angel investor, has joined the board as chair.
The company has secured Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri as its first brand through Dutch specialist eCommerce agency Offlane BV, and is rapidly onboarding further partners.
TheNextLevel’s platform 鈥� conceived and created by founders Paul Rawlings and Ionut Vasiliu 鈥� enables online brands to build and cultivate vibrant communities next to their mobile storefront. For example, the platform offers Piastri the ability to communicate with his audience in a more personalised way, enhancing customer loyalty and driving sustainable growth.
The firm will develop its partner portal, which allows eCommerce agencies to generate revenue by creating sales opportunities, as well as onboard brands onto TheNextLevel鈥檚 platform.
鈥淒SW Ventures’ investment process was instrumental in helping us refine our commercial strategy,鈥� said CEO Rawlings. 鈥淭heir experience and guidance have been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to have them and Elizabeth on board as we look to grow our team and set a firm foundation for scalable growth.
鈥淥ur partnership with Offlane and Oscar Piastri is fantastic validation of our platform and the potential that Community Commerce holds for brands to build meaningful connections with their audiences.鈥�
Keith Benson, founding partner of DSW Ventures, said: 鈥淭heNextLevel is on a journey to transform the e-commerce market, and we are confident that the platform can reshape brands鈥� relationships with their customers.聽
鈥淗aving a rising star like Oscar Piastri is testament to Paul and Ionut鈥檚 vision of 鈥榗ommunity commerce鈥�: empowering online brands to own and control the relationship with their own customers outside of social media.聽
鈥淲e’re particularly proud to support a business from the dynamic Manchester tech scene.鈥�