Digital Catapult has invested £500,000 in Exabler to scale the London-based startup’s AI-driven trade optimisation platform, strengthening UK supply chain resilience. This follows Exabler’s participation in Digital Catapult’s Made Smarter Innovation | Digital Supply Chain Hub, where it partnered with BAE Systems and Leonardo UK to develop a solution for the defence and security sector.
DRIVING RESILIENCE IN GLOBAL TRADE
Digital Catapult has announced a £500,000 investment in Exabler, marking a significant step forward in the practical application of deep tech to transform cross-border trade and bolster industrial supply chain resilience.
As global supply chains face mounting pressures – from tariffs and regulatory complexities to ongoing disruption – Exabler is addressing these challenges with a proprietary software platform designed to simplify processes and streamline operations for business leaders operating across international markets.
International trade is often discussed at a macro level, yet many business leaders underestimate the direct impact that new policy decisions can have on their company’s commercial performance. In an increasingly precarious global environment, there is a growing need for valid and reliable data to help businesses mitigate trade disruption and maintain operational efficiency. Our solution addresses this challenge by providing critical support when it’s needed most. This investment will enable us to further develop the platform, expand our team and unlock new opportunities to grow our customer base and increase export activity.
– Chris Woodington, co-Founder and co-CEO of Exabler
BUILT WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS
Founded in 2015, Exabler previously participated in the Made Smarter Innovation | Digital Supply Chain Hub, delivered by Digital Catapult.
Through the accelerator programme, the company collaborated with major defence companies BAE Systems and Leonardo UK to develop its solution within the UK’s defence and security sector – considered to be one of the most highly regulated and operationally complex industries.
Today, Exabler is extending its impact across a range of sectors, including logistics, pharmaceuticals, and financial services, with its solution that uses advanced analytics to help businesses reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and mitigate future supply chain disruptions.
POWERING DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING
Exabler’s innovative platform leverages advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to provide real-time optimisation of supply chain performance.
By integrating pre- and post-trade data from sources such as the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), and global financial systems, the solution delivers actionable insights, enhances decision-making, and enables businesses to proactively manage compliance and operational risks.
Successful cross-border trade is a key pillar of economic growth, and our solution means that business leaders have the data they need to overcome complex trade challenges with ease. Digital Catapult’s support has been critical to our success, providing invaluable technological consultancy, investment readiness support and now this investment. We will use the capital to expand into international markets, meeting global demand for our solution and ensuring that business leaders are empowered, informed and able to adapt quickly in an increasingly uncertain trade climate.
– Ramin Takin, co-Founder and co-CEO of Exabler
SCALING FOR GLOBAL DEMAND
Digital Catapult’s £500,000 investment – structured as a convertible loan note – will support Exabler’s international expansion and growth, particularly as demand for interoperable, data-driven trade solutions continues to rise.
The company is already attracting interest from organisations across the EU, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the US, with paid pilot schemes planned to demonstrate integration within large-scale enterprises with complex global operations.
Exabler has also gained early traction with key supply chain stakeholders – including a top five global freight forwarder – reinforcing the growing need for solutions that can seamlessly integrate into established business ecosystems.
SUPPORTING UK INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY
This investment aligns closely with the UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, highlighting the importance of scaling deep tech startups that can strengthen critical supply chains and drive economic growth.
Digital Catapult continues to prioritise investment across key growth-driving sectors, including advanced manufacturing, digital technology, business services, and the creative industries.
For over a decade, Digital Catapult has worked to strengthen the resilience of the UK’s industrial supply chains. Our investment in Exabler will help businesses mitigate supply chain disruption and enable more seamless cross-border trade operations. This marks the sixth investment made by Digital Catapult under the Cross-Catapult Fund, as part of our mission to support deep tech companies to scale and help founders realise their commercial ambitions, and we are excited to partner with Chris and Ramin as Exabler enters this next phase of its growth.
– Susan Bowen, CEO of Digital Catapult
This article was produced by the editorial team at EME Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
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