9fin: AI-Based Analytics Platform For Debt Capital Markets Raises $50 Million (Series B)

By Amit Chowdhry • Dec 3, 2024

9fin, an AI-based analytics platform for debt capital markets, announced it had raised $50 million in a Series B funding round led by Highland Europe. Existing investors Spark Capital, Redalpine, Seedcamp, 500 Startups, and Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital participated.

The new funding round will enable 9fin to invest further in its market-leading AI technology, grow its analytics team, and accelerate its expansion in the US. And 9fin has established itself as a pioneer in applying cutting-edge technology in debt capital markets.

Since the company’s Series A+ round in 2022, it has achieved 400% group-wide ARR growth, with its US business growing even faster. And the company has also grown to 240 employees and recently doubled the size of its tech team, driving increases in product development speed.

During this time, the company has more than doubled its customer base to nearly 200 of the largest firms in global credit markets, including leading investment banks, distressed debt advisors, private equity, credit fund managers, and law firms. 9fin is used by asset managers with a combined AUM of over $17 trillion, and many more debt market professionals discover its intuitive platform each week.

The company helps subscribers save time, win business, and outperform their peers with faster and easier access to critical credit information. Offering intelligence on high-yield bonds, leveraged loans, distressed debt, CLOs, private credit, and asset-backed finance, 9fin was the first information provider to integrate generative AI into its platform, using it to provide agentic Q&A tools, real-time market updates, and advanced search capabilities.

KEY QUOTES:

“Debt markets are the biggest overlooked asset class in the world and yet they still rely on technology and information sources straight out of the 1980s – opaque, slow and messy. We started 9fin to give professionals in the market a data edge, with smarter, faster intelligence. I’m really proud of the product, team and company culture we’ve built so far at 9fin, and we’re just getting started. There’s a huge opportunity to build the #1 global provider of debt market analytics, and bring debt markets into the AI age. We’re delighted to welcome Highland as a partner to help us achieve that vision.”

– Steven Hunter, Co-founder and CEO of 9fin

“From the moment we started building at our kitchen table, 9fin has pioneered the use of AI in debt capital markets, setting a new industry standard. By investing in the best product and engineering talent, we’ve dramatically increased product velocity, delivering capabilities to give our customers the best workflows, tools and insights, and helping them navigate easily through complex financial markets.”

– Huss El-Sheikh, Co-founder and CTO of 9fin

“Debt markets are booming but data and technology offerings simply haven’t kept pace. 9fin’s vision, its relentless focus on technology, innovation and company culture, positions it as the go-to platform for those working in debt markets. We’re thrilled to support their ambition to become the global market leader.”

– Fergal Mullen, Co-founder and partner, Highland Europe