Liverpool-based tech start-up Marko Marketing Limited has secured a £35,000 loan from NPIF II – River Capital & GC Business Finance Smaller Loans, which is managed by River Capital & GC Business Finance as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.
Founded by tech entrepreneur Ben Abernethy in October 2024, Marko Marketing has developed an affordable, AI-powered marketing platform designed specifically for small businesses that struggle to access effective marketing tools due to budget and resource constraints.
The funding will support Marko Marketing’s launch phase, including product development, marketing activities, and the engagement of IT contractors to assist with ongoing software improvements.
The innovative platform brings together multiple marketing functions into one easy-to-use system, including content creation, social media scheduling, analytics, SEO tools, and email marketing capabilities.
The subscription-based service costs just £30 per month, making effective marketing technology accessible to smaller enterprises.
Sue Chambers, Investment Manager at River Capital, said: “We’re delighted to support Ben with this investment. Marko addresses a clear gap in the market for affordable marketing tools designed specifically for small businesses. Ben’s extensive experience in both IT and marketing has enabled him to create a solution that truly meets the needs of smaller businesses.
Ben Abernethy, Founder and Director of Marko Marketing, commented: “This investment from River Capital is crucial in helping us bring our innovative marketing platform to market. We’ve designed Marko to remove the complexity and high costs associated with effective marketing, making these tools accessible to businesses of all sizes. The early feedback from our test users has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited to start welcoming our first paying customers.”
Sue Barnard, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said: “With the world now committed to embracing and implementing AI into many aspects of our lives, it is vital that businesses in the North are able to access finance that will help them play a key part in this digital transformation. This loan will now help Marko Marketing begin providing other businesses in the region with an AI tool which will equip other Northern businesses to improve and grow in their own right.”
The company plans to create five full-time jobs over the next few years as it expands its customer base and develops additional features, including a mobile application version of the platform.
The loan from River Capital is complemented by a £25,000 Start Up loan, giving the business a solid financial foundation for its launch phase.
The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.
The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.