Manchester-based mobile commerce innovator, TheNextLevel, has received investment from GC Angels as part of its mission to transform how e-commerce brands connect with their customers. The funding will accelerate the company’s growth across the UK and US, supporting customer acquisition and further development of its AI-powered mobile platform.
The investment is part of a £500k pre-seed round led by DSW Ventures, with additional backing from Richard Hong of Pangaea Holdings. Notably, Elizabeth Gooch MBE has also joined as Chair, bringing significant leadership experience to the team.
TheNextLevel empowers e-commerce brands by converting Shopify stores into high-converting mobile apps, enabling more personalised and engaging customer experiences. At the heart of the platform is the concept of “Community Commerce”—helping brands build loyal, engaged customer communities that drive long-term growth and retention.
With mobile apps delivering up to five times higher conversion rates than traditional web platforms, TheNextLevel uses behavioural insights and AI to optimise engagement. Operating on a revenue-share model, the company’s success is directly tied to the performance of its clients, which include Offlane (Oscar Piastri’s official merchandise store), Gustharts, and Manchester Storm.
Over the next 18 months, the business plans to expand its UK sales team and raise additional funding to support its international ambitions.
Paul Rawlings, CEO and co-founder of TheNextLevel, commented:"TheNextLevel is on a mission to reshape e-commerce—making it smarter, more human, and truly mobile-first. Ranvir and the GC Angels team instantly connected with our vision. This investment gives us the firepower to scale faster and reach new global audiences."
Ranvir Singh, Investment Manager at GC Angels, added:"TheNextLevel offers Shopify brands a powerful way to drive mobile revenue and deepen customer relationships. With Paul’s proven track record in D2C and mobile commerce, we’re confident in the team’s potential for rapid growth across the UK and internationally."