DSW Ventures backs Mancunian founders to take mobile commerce to TheNextLevel

DSW Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of DSW Capital, has led a pre-seed investment into TheNextLevel, a Manchester-based innovator redefining mobile commerce through community engagement. TheNextLevel is pioneering “Community Commerce”, allowing online brands to leverage the power of social commerce without being reliant on Big Tech.

Richard Hong, the cofounder of e-commerce personal care brand owner, Pangaea Holdings, and technology and logistics platform, OpenBorder, also contributed to the round. Elizabeth Gooch MBE, a prominent non-executive and angel investor, has joined the board as Chair.

The company has secured Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri as its first brand, through Dutch specialist e-commerce agency Offlane BV, and is rapidly onboarding further partners.

TheNextLevel’s platform – conceived and created by founders Paul Rawlings and Ionut Vasiliu – enables online brands to build and cultivate vibrant communities next to their mobile storefront. By fostering Community Commerce, the platform offers brands like Oscar Piastri the ability to communicate with their audience in a more personalised way, enhancing customer loyalty and driving sustainable growth.

DSW Ventures’ investment, the fourth from its first SEIS Fund, will supercharge TheNextLevel’s product development and expansion. The founders will also further develop their ground-breaking partner portal, which allows e-commerce agencies to generate revenue by creating sales opportunities, as well as onboard brands onto TheNextLevel’s platform.

Paul Rawlings, CEO of TheNextLevel, commented: “DSW Ventures’ investment process was instrumental in helping us refine our commercial strategy. Their experience and guidance have been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to have them and Elizabeth on board as we look to grow our team and set a firm foundation for scalable growth. Our partnership with Offlane and Oscar Piastri is fantastic validation of our platform and the potential that Community Commerce holds for brands to build meaningful connections with their audiences.”

Keith Benson, founding partner of DSW Ventures, said: “TheNextLevel is on a journey to transform the e-commerce market, and we are confident that the platform can reshape brands’ relationships with their customers. Having a rising star like Oscar Piastri is testament to Paul and Ionut’s vision of Community Commerce: empowering online brands to own and control the relationship with their own customers outside of social media. We’re particularly proud to support a business from the dynamic Manchester tech scene, a key focus for DSW Ventures.”