Sanlo Raises $10M for Financial Tools and Capital Access to App and Game Developers
Sanlo, a San Francisco-based fintech startup that offers small to medium-sized game and app companies access to tools to manage their finances and capital to fuel their growth, has raised $10 million in Series A funding led by Konvoy. This significant investment brings the company’s total funding to date to $13.5 million.
Founding Team’s Backgrounds
Sanlo was founded in 2020 by CEO Olya Caliujnaia and CTO William Liu, both of whom have backgrounds in fintech and gaming. Caliujnaia’s experience in the industry has enabled her to identify the specific needs of game and app developers, allowing Sanlo to tailor its services accordingly.
How Sanlo Works
Sanlo offers businesses access to technology, tools, and insights that aim to help them achieve scalable growth. When Sanlo determines that a business could benefit from the deployment of capital, the startup assists by offering financing. Unlike traditional VC funds or lenders, Sanlo provides non-dilutive capital, which means that it takes no ownership stake in the companies it finances.
Key Differentiators
Caliujnaia noted that one of the ways Sanlo differs from other fintech companies is its focus on gaming and app developers. While there are other companies focusing on e-commerce or SAAS verticals, Sanlo’s unique expertise allows it to cater specifically to the needs of game and app developers.
"We’re a technology company, not a fund," Caliujnaia said in an interview with TechCrunch. "That allows us to move quickly and be transparent about how we work and how we arrive at the products that we build and offer to customers."
Sanlo’s approach is centered around providing a full stack of products, not just growth capital. This comprehensive offering enables developers to access various tools and insights, empowering them to make informed decisions about their business.
Data-Driven Decision Making
To get started with Sanlo, companies are required to provide certain types of data, including product data about how well the app or game monetizes. Additionally, Sanlo collects information on customer acquisition and retention, marketing data, and a subset of financial data. The predictive algorithms then continually monitor the company’s growth trajectory to surface insights that identify areas for growth.
Sanlo provides companies with access to capital, allowing them to focus on their core business while leveraging expert advice and resources.
Funding Breakdown
The new funding round included participation from existing investors, including Initial Capital, Portage Ventures, XYZ Venture Capital, London Venture Partners, and Index Ventures. The funding round also included participation from new investors, including Fin Capital, GFR Fund, and a number of angel investors.
Sanlo’s Series A funding comes a year after it announced $3.5 million in seed funding co-led by Index Ventures and Initial Capital.
Expansion Plans
As part of the funding announcement, Sanlo revealed that it has partnered with HCG Funds to expand its offerings. This partnership will enable Sanlo to increase its reach and provide more comprehensive services to game and app developers worldwide.
Caliujnaia emphasized that the new funding will be used to accelerate product development, expand the team, and further establish Sanlo as a leader in the fintech industry.
Conclusion
Sanlo’s $10 million Series A funding is a testament to its innovative approach and commitment to empowering game and app developers. With its focus on providing comprehensive services and expert advice, Sanlo is poised to continue making waves in the fintech industry.
As the startup continues to grow and expand, one thing is clear: Sanlo is revolutionizing the way game and app developers access capital and manage their finances.
