Sterling, a New Zealand-based AI startup, has raised $3.15 million to scale its AI-powered finance autopilot. The funding will support team expansion and US market entry.
TL;DR
- Sterling raises $3.15 million to automate finance workflows.
- Funding will drive team growth and US expansion.
- AI autopilot handles invoices, bank reconciliation, and month-end tasks.
What happened
Sterling, founded in 2025 by Nik Wakelin and Ludwig Wendzich, has secured $3.15 million in funding. The round was led by Blackbird Ventures and included notable investors like Rowan Simpson, Eliot Crowther, Trade Me, Pushpay, Xero, and Vend.
The startup's AI technology automates finance and accounting tasks, including invoice processing, bank reconciliation, and month-end tasks. It records actions and escalates ambiguous cases for human review.
With the new capital, Sterling plans to expand its team and target larger enterprise customers in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
Why it matters
This funding enables Sterling to accelerate its growth and compete in the burgeoning AI finance automation market. The US expansion is a significant step, given the market's size and demand for AI solutions in finance.
For developers and startups, Sterling's progress highlights the potential of AI in automating complex workflows. It also underscores the importance of building solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing finance systems.
Investors should watch Sterling's traction in the US market, as successful expansion could validate the demand for AI autopilots in finance teams globally.
Key facts
- Sterling raises $3.15 million in funding round led by Blackbird Ventures.
- Investors include Rowan Simpson, Eliot Crowther, Trade Me, Pushpay, Xero, and Vend.
- AI autopilot automates invoices, bank reconciliation, and month-end tasks.
- Funding will support team expansion and US market entry.
- Sterling aims to target larger enterprise customers in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
- Founded in 2025 by Nik Wakelin and Ludwig Wendzich.
- Teams based in Wellington and Auckland, New Zealand.
Context
Sterling's AI autopilot is part of a broader trend of AI-driven automation in finance. As companies seek to streamline operations and reduce costs, AI solutions that can handle complex workflows are gaining traction.
The startup's focus on enterprise customers and its planned US expansion reflect the growing demand for AI in finance. This trend is driven by the need for efficiency, accuracy, and scalability in financial processes.
Sterling's success could inspire other startups to explore AI applications in finance, particularly in areas like invoice processing and bank reconciliation.