London-based documents automation fintech Uhura Solutions has raised $1.8 million in a seed funding round, the company announced Wednesday.

Uhura Solutions offers a low-code solution for document and contract analysis, automating data analysis and classification, extraction, review and processing, according to a release. The fintech works with $1.7 trillion Barclays, $573 billion NatWest and Austria-based Raiffeisen Bank, as well as T-Mobile and startup accelerator Techstars.

“Language is structured — particularly the English Language — which allows the [artificial intelligence] to determine patterns pretty quickly, Djuro Stojanovic, chief executive at Uhura Solutions, said in an article for Barclays’ Rise fintech accelerator. “Our unique way of integration based on image processing and natural language processing is one of our software’s main advantages. Natural language processing can read a document, even if there are mistakes or missing words in the sentence.”

Uhura aims to make complex coding-based automations accessible for banks, financial institutions and other companies with document-driven workflows. The solution’s AI-driven efficiencies provide tangible operational benefits, Mads Jensen, managing partner at lead investor SuperSeed Ventures, said in a release.

“With Uhura’s platform, enterprises are taking a big leap forward in terms of how easy it is to deploy AI to automate complex business processes,” Jensen said. “We are excited for the promise of the technology and for our new partnership with a group of outstanding founders.”

Also participating in the round were Newable Ventures and South Central Ventures. Uhura Solutions has raised $2.6 million over 4 rounds, according to Crunchbase.

Digital bank Copper raises $29M for student banking

Seattle-based digital banking platform Copper has raised $29 million in a series A funding round, the company announced Tuesday.

Copper offers a banking platform aimed at teenagers and students, with checking, deposit, card and Apple and Google Pay digital wallet capabilities. With users surpassing 800,000 — up from 350,000 in October 2021 — the fintech plans to expand into investing with a focus on cryptocurrency.

Leading the round was Fiat Ventures, with participation from Panoramic Ventures, Invesco Private Capital and Insight Partners. Copper has raised $42.3 million over three funding rounds, according to Crunchbase.

UK digital Starling Bank secures $163M

A series D round saw U.K.-based digital bank Starling Bank raise $163 million, the bank announced Wednesday.

The $8.9 billion Starling Bank offers branchless digital banking, along with B2B software-as-a-service (SaaS) and banking-as-a-service (BaaS) capabilities. The round, which saw participation from all existing investors, puts the bank at an approximate $2.5 billion pre-money valuation, according to a release. The bank has raised $1.1 billion over 11 rounds, according to Crunchbase.

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