Accesspay secures Accel-KKR majority to bolster bank connectivity and automate payments
This article covers AccessPay, a Manchester fintech startup, taking a majority investment from Accel-KKR, a global private equity firm, in a series D funding round; terms were not disclosed. The investment is intended to accelerate product development, support enterprise scale-up and pursue strategic acquisitions, affecting enterprise finance teams and the UK fintech ecosystem.
AccessPay has taken a majority investment from Accel-KKR in a series D funding round, a deal that the Manchester fintech startup says will accelerate product development, support enterprise scale-up and open the door to growth through acquisitions; terms were not disclosed. The move matters because it highlights continued private-equity interest in enterprise finance software amid rising demand for bank connectivity and AI-ready finance operations.
Why it matters
Finance teams are under pressure from cost constraints, cyber threats and shifting operational models driven by AI. A late-2025 McKinsey survey cited by AccessPay found 44% of CFOs identified five or more AI use cases, underlining why tools that clean and structure payments and bank-statement data are becoming core infrastructure for automation.
For enterprises, reliable bank connectivity and consistent payment data are prerequisites for rolling out automation at scale. A majority backing from a software-focused private equity firm signals confidence that enterprise demand for these capabilities will continue to grow — and that consolidation in the space remains plausible.
Inside the product
AccessPay provides bank integration and payment automation that links back-office finance systems to banks and payment networks. Its platform standardises payment formats and delivers structured bank-statement data intended to reduce manual reconciliation, improve cash visibility, and lower the risk of fraud and errors.
The product is positioned primarily at larger customers where uptime, security and predictable throughput matter. AccessPay says the new investment will be used to accelerate new product development and to pursue strategic acquisition opportunities that expand its service footprint in treasury and payments orchestration.
Who are the investors?
Accel-KKR, a global private equity firm focused on enterprise technology and software, has taken a majority stake in AccessPay. Royal Park Partners served as AccessPay’s exclusive strategic and financial adviser. The companies have not disclosed the financial terms of the transaction.
In the announcement, Phil Cunningham, Managing Director at Accel-KKR, said:
AccessPay plays a crucial role in helping to optimise finance operations, increasing automation, improving cash visibility, and reducing the risk of fraud and error. It also has a reputation for delivering outstanding customer service. The company aligns closely with our portfolio of investments, delivering mission-critical solutions to the office of the CFO, and we look forward to supporting CEO Anish Kapoor and his team.
If you're researching potential backers in this space:
- Explore our list of fintech venture capital firms in the UK
- Browse our directory of fintech angel investors in the UK
Founder perspective
Anish Kapoor will remain CEO following the transaction. In the announcement, Anish Kapoor, CEO at AccessPay, said:
As a scale-up business preparing for its next growth phase, AccessPay was looking for an investor with a track record in enterprise software investment. Accel-KKR was the standout choice for us thanks to its experience in technology investing and domain expertise. Its backing not only means we can innovate at scale, but, as a platform investment, opens the door to pursue accelerated growth through acquisition. We are confident in what both firms can develop together and the role we can play in shaping the future of finance and treasury operations. The statement frames the deal as both a growth capital play and a platform for inorganic expansion, reflecting a common private-equity approach to enterprise software.
The bigger picture
The transaction adds to evidence that enterprise fintech and finance-operations tooling remains an active target for investors in the UK and Europe. AccessPay’s Manchester base is notable: the wider Greater Manchester fintech market is estimated to contribute more than £1bn to the UK economy, and the region has been steadily attracting enterprise software talent and capital.
As CFOs push to operationalise AI and reduce manual finance work, expect more investment in companies that can reliably connect ERP and treasury systems to banks and payments rails. For the UK ecosystem, deals that pair local fintech founders with global software investors could fuel further consolidation and product expansion across Europe.
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