Final Rentals lands Wales' first NatWest IP-backed loan to fund AI push
What's the deal? Cardiff-based fintech Final RentalsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has secured a six-figure debt facility from NatWest, becoming the first business in Wales to take out one of the bank's intellectual property-backed loans. The company will use the funds to invest in AI, GPUs, and technology as it expands internationally.
What does it do? Founded in Cardiff in 2019, Final Rentals runs a car rental franchise and technology platform across more than 65 countries. It helps independent operators compete with larger rivals through its booking infrastructure and access to global customers.
Why now? The loan lands during a growth spurt: bookings are up 200% this year and the company has entered three new territories. Founder and chief executive officer Ammar Akhtar was recently named Fintech Leader of the Year at the 2026 Wales Fintech Awards.
How it works: The NatWest proposition lets eligible high-growth firms borrow against the value of their intellectual property, with valuation specialist InngotDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → assessing qualifying assets. Akhtar was introduced to it after joining the NatWest Accelerator in Cardiff in 2022.
What's the endgame? Going into its fourth funding round, Final Rentals chose debt over equity. "You don't actually give away equity, so you can unlock value from something you've already built without giving up part of the business," Akhtar said. "It gives us the capital to keep investing in our technology, which in turn creates more IP and more value."
The signal: IP-backed lending offers a route for asset-light technology firms to raise money without diluting founders — a model that could give more Welsh startups an alternative to traditional venture capital as they scale.
Read more: businessnewswales.com
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