Digital Catapult has announced a £500,000 investment in London-based startup Exabler to help accelerate the real-world application of its deep tech solution for cross-border trade and strengthen the resilience of UK industrial supply chains. As global trade becomes more vulnerable to tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and increasingly complex regulatory requirements, Exabler is positioning its platform as a practical tool for businesses to simplify trade operations and make international commerce more efficient and manageable.
Founded in 2015, Exabler previously participated in the Made Smarter Innovation Digital Supply Chain Hub delivered by Digital Catapult. Through that programme, it worked with major defence companies BAE Systems and Leonardo UK to develop a solution tailored to the defence and security sector. Since then, the company has broadened its reach into other highly regulated and complex industries such as logistics, pharmaceuticals, and financial services, where its platform is helping organisations reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and better prepare for future disruptions.
Exabler’s solution is built around artificial intelligence and machine learning, enabling businesses to optimise supply chain performance in real time. The platform gathers and analyses large volumes of pre-trade and post-trade data from sources such as the Customs Declaration Service and global financial systems. By processing this information, it delivers actionable insights, flags compliance and operational risks, prioritises issues that need immediate attention, and helps business leaders respond faster and make better-informed decisions. In doing so, it aims to strengthen industrial supply chain resilience while reducing reliance on manual analysis.
The £500,000 investment from Digital Catapult is being made in the form of a convertible loan note and will support Exabler’s next stage of growth. The company plans to use the funding to expand its team and meet rising demand for its technology. Exabler is already attracting interest from companies in the European Union, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the United States, and intends to run paid pilot schemes to further validate its solution and demonstrate how it can be integrated into larger enterprises with stricter security and operational requirements.
The startup has already gained early traction with key supply chain stakeholders, including a top five global freight forwarder, highlighting growing demand for interoperable trade solutions that can work across large businesses with complex global operations. Alongside international expansion, Exabler also plans to reinvest in its platform to strengthen its capabilities, make better use of diverse data sources, and improve automation. These upgrades are expected to boost efficiency further, reduce the need for manual data handling, and give business leaders a stronger ability to monitor trade developments and policy changes in real time.
Digital Catapult’s backing of Exabler is aligned with the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and reflects a broader focus on supporting startups that can enhance the resilience of critical supply chains while driving economic growth. The organisation has been investing in businesses operating in sectors identified as key to the UK’s future competitiveness, including advanced manufacturing, digital technology, business services, and the creative industries. The Exabler deal marks the sixth investment made by Digital Catapult under its Cross-Catapult Fund, reinforcing its long-term mission to help deep tech companies scale and bring commercially valuable innovations to market.
Exabler’s leadership says the investment comes at a time when businesses are increasingly exposed to the commercial effects of global trade policy shifts and need better access to reliable, real-time data. The company argues that while international trade is often discussed at a macroeconomic level, the direct operational and financial consequences for individual firms are frequently underestimated. By making trade data more accessible and actionable, Exabler aims to help companies reduce disruption, protect performance, and respond more effectively in a volatile global environment.
Overall, the investment signals growing recognition that digital trade intelligence and supply chain optimisation tools are becoming essential for businesses operating across borders. With fresh capital, international market interest, and early validation in highly regulated sectors, Exabler is now positioned to expand its reach and strengthen its role as a technology provider helping businesses navigate a more uncertain and demanding global trade landscape.
