RetailBook: Fintech Fund Augmentum Leads £4.5m Investment Round
Deal News | May 12, 2025 | UK Tech Funding
London-listed Augmentum Fintech has led a £4.5 million funding round for RetailBook, a startup that enables individual investors to access primary capital markets with the same opportunities as institutional investors. Established in 2022, RetailBook already has backing from financial heavyweights such as Peel Hunt, Jefferies, Rothschild & Co, and Hargreaves Lansdown. Augmentum's CEO, Tim Levene, will join RetailBook's board, emphasizing the shared vision of democratizing investment access. With recent market changes aimed at improving UK market liquidity and the government's focus on diversified capital access, RetailBook is positioned for strategic growth. The startup, which recently brought in key talent from competitor PrimaryBid, including co-CEO James Deal, aims to further engage retail investors in the capital market ecosystem.
Sectors
- Financial Technology (Fintech)
- Investment Management
Geography
- United Kingdom – The United Kingdom is relevant as the article highlights a London-listed investment fund leading the funding round for a UK-based fintech company, RetailBook, amid local market reforms.
Industry
- Financial Technology (Fintech) – This article relates to the fintech industry as it discusses the funding of RetailBook, a platform facilitating access to primary capital markets for individual investors, embodying fintech's role in democratizing finance.
- Investment Management – The article discusses investments and capital markets, aligning with the investment management sector's focus on asset and capital allocation strategies.
Financials
- £4.5 million – The total amount of the investment led by Augmentum Fintech in RetailBook.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augmentum Fintech | Investment Firm, Leading Investor | Company | A London-listed fintech investment fund leading the £4.5 million funding round for RetailBook. |
| RetailBook | Target Company | Company | A startup providing individual investors access to primary capital markets, backed by several major financial institutions. |
| Peel Hunt | Existing Backer | Company | An existing financial institution backing RetailBook. |
| Jefferies | Existing Backer | Company | A global investment bank already backing RetailBook. |
| Rothschild & Co | Existing Backer | Company | A multinational investment bank and financial services company backing RetailBook. |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | Existing Backer | Company | A financial service company known for being one of the UK's leading funds for private investors, also backing RetailBook. |
| Tim Levene | CEO of Augmentum Fintech, New Board Member | Person | The chief executive officer of Augmentum Fintech, who will join the board of RetailBook. |
| James Deal | Co-CEO of RetailBook | Person | Former PrimaryBid co-founder who joined RetailBook as co-CEO. |