DSW Ventures Invests in Community Commerce Innovator TheNextLevel
DSW Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of DSW Capital, has made a significant move by leading a pre-seed investment round into TheNextLevel, an innovative company based in Manchester that is changing the landscape of mobile commerce through its unique approach to community engagement. TheNextLevel is at the forefront of a new concept it refers to as "Community Commerce," which empowers online brands to harness the benefits of social commerce while minimizing their dependency on major technology companies. This investment marks another step in DSW Ventures' commitment to supporting enterprising founders hailing from the vibrant Manchester tech scene.
The co-founders of TheNextLevel, Paul Rawlings and Ionut Vasiliu, have developed a platform that allows online brands to cultivate and nurture dynamic communities around their mobile storefronts.
By facilitating Community Commerce, TheNextLevel offers brands, including high-profile names like Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri, the opportunity to engage more personally with their audience. This innovative strategy not only fosters customer loyalty but also promotes sustainable growth, marking a significant shift in how brands can connect with their customers. Additionally, Richard Hong, a notable player in the e-commerce sector and the co-founder of Pangaea Holdings, participated in this funding round, underscoring the compelling potential of TheNextLevel’s approach.
With this latest investment—the fourth from its inaugural SEIS Fund—DSW Ventures aims to amplify TheNextLevel’s product development and facilitate its growth trajectory. The investment will also support the evolution of a groundbreaking partner portal, which empowers e-commerce agencies to generate revenue through the creation of sales opportunities, enhancing the onboarding of brands onto TheNextLevel's platform. As Paul Rawlings, the CEO of TheNextLevel, expressed, they are excited to have DSW Ventures and Elizabeth Gooch MBE, the newly appointed Chair, onboard as they look to lay a strong foundation for scalable growth and maximize the potential of Community Commerce. Keith Benson, founding partner of DSW Ventures, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their confidence in the transformative capabilities of TheNextLevel's platform within the e-commerce sector.
They've invested in TheNextLevel
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