Helsinki, Finland, June 20th, 2024, FinanceWire
Local commerce platform Wolt announces the launch of Wolt Capital, a new service providing fast and simple access to additional financing for merchants.
Many restaurants are small businesses and require access to capital to maintain operations and invest in their future growth. Over the course of a restaurant’s lifespan, owners will often require some kind of capital investment, whether to cover unexpected expenses, renovate the kitchen, open a new storefront, or just meet normal operating costs.
Edward Daka, Product Lead, Banking & Payouts at Wolt emphasizes: “We are always listening to our partners and adapting our services and offerings to meet their needs. Fast and simple access to capital has regularly come up in our talks with merchants. That’s why today, we’re excited to introduce Wolt Capital. This initiative is designed to support the success and growth of merchants, giving them the opportunity to access transparent financing.”
Traditional bank financing often has stringent requirements that leave many entrepreneurs without options. Wolt Capital changes this by offering revenue-based transparent financing to merchants with a proven sales record on the Wolt platform. This financing can be used for various business needs, including purchasing equipment, marketing, rent, hiring, payroll, and more.
“My experience with Wolt Capital has been positive and I am grateful for the support I have received for my business. Its flexibility and fast and efficient process make it a valuable financial tool for entrepreneurs like me,” said Nezir Giray of the popular Finnish restaurant Ismet Jätkäsaari.
At launch, Wolt is partnering with finmid, a financial infrastructure provider, to offer this service. Here’s how it works:
- Pre-Approved Advances: Eligible merchants will see a pre-approved advance amount in their Merchant Portal
- Fast Funding: If accepted, funds can be deposited in the merchant’s bank account within 1-2 business days, with no additional paperwork required.
- Transparent Costs: Merchants pay a one-time fee over the advance period, with no hidden charges, recurring interest, or prepayment penalties.
- Automated Repayment: Repayments are based on a percentage of Wolt sales, making it flexible according to business performance.
During the pilot program, over a hundred Wolt merchants utilized Wolt Capital for various needs, which is why Wolt Capital is now being rolled out to more countries.
Edward Daka adds, “With Wolt Capital, we aim to provide our partners with an accessible financing option, helping them invest in their future growth. We will continue to develop products and services that strengthen our merchant community and ensure their continued success.”
While we are constantly evaluating new markets, Wolt Capital is now available to all eligible restaurants in Sweden, Poland, Finland and Denmark.
About Wolt
Wolt is a Helsinki-based technology company that makes it easy to discover and get the best restaurants, grocery stores, and other local shops delivered. To enable this, Wolt develops a wide range of technologies – from local logistics and retail software to financial solutions – and operates its own grocery stores under the brand Wolt Market.
Wolt was founded in 2014 and joined forces with DoorDash in 2022. DoorDash operates in 31 countries today, 27 of which are with the Wolt product and brand.