Liverpool-based tech start-up Marko Marketing Limited has secured a £35,000 loan from NPIF II – River Capital & GC Business Finance Smaller Loans, which is managed by River Capital & GC Business Finance as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.
Founded by tech entrepreneur and app developer Ben Abernethy in October 2024, Marko Marketing has developed an affordable, AI-powered marketing platform designed specifically for small businesses that struggle to access effective marketing tools due to budget and resource constraints.
Introduced to River Capital by Apex Trinity Consulting, who supported with business planning and growth strategy, the funding will support Marko Marketing’s launch phase, including product development, marketing activities, and the engagement of IT contractors to assist with ongoing software improvements.
The platform brings together multiple marketing functions into one easy-to-use system, including content creation, social media scheduling, analytics, SEO tools, and email marketing capabilities.
READ MORE: Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir heads to Hollyoaks
The subscription-based service costs just £30 per month, making effective marketing technology accessible to smaller enterprises.
Sue Chambers, investment manager at River Capital, said: “We’re delighted to support Ben with this investment. Marko addresses a clear gap in the market for affordable marketing tools designed specifically for small businesses. Ben’s extensive experience in both IT and marketing has enabled him to create a solution that truly meets the needs of smaller businesses.”
Abernethy, founder and director of Marko Marketing, added: “This investment from River Capital is crucial in helping us bring our innovative marketing platform to market. We’ve designed Marko to remove the complexity and high costs associated with effective marketing, making these tools accessible to businesses of all sizes. The early feedback from our test users has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited to start welcoming our first paying customers.”
The loan from River Capital is complemented by a £25,000 start-up loan, giving the business a solid financial foundation for its launch phase. The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.
