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 ‘Community Commerce’, 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.
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 – conceived and created by founders Paul Rawlings and Ionut Vasiliu – 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’s platform.
“DSW Ventures’ investment process was instrumental in helping us refine our commercial strategy,” said CEO Rawlings. “Their 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.
“Our 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.”
Keith Benson, founding partner of DSW Ventures, said: “TheNextLevel is on a journey to transform the e-commerce market, and we are confident that the platform can reshape brands’ relationships with their customers.
“Having a rising star like Oscar Piastri is testament to Paul and Ionut’s vision of ‘community commerce’: empowering online brands to own and control the relationship with their own customers outside of social media.
“We’re particularly proud to support a business from the dynamic Manchester tech scene.”