River Capital backs Lancashire-based Odoo ERP specialist Smart IT with £300,000 growth loan
River Capital has provided a £300,000 growth loan to Smart Information Technologies Ltd (Smart IT), a Kirkham-based technology business specialising in ERP software implementation and support.
The investment, made through the North West Business Growth Loan Fund, will enable the company to recruit and train new staff to meet a rapidly growing pipeline of client work.
Founded in 2010 by CEO Barry Bullen, Smart IT has grown into one of the UK’s most respected partners for Odoo — one of the world’s fastest-growing business management software platforms, used by over 13 million businesses globally. The company holds Gold Partner status, the highest accreditation available in the UK, and supports more than 120 clients across a broad range of sectors.
Its client list includes household names such as Ringtons and Muji, public sector bodies including NHS Digital, and international businesses operating across multiple continents.
Demand for Odoo ERP has accelerated sharply in the UK over the past 18 months, and Smart IT has invested significantly in its own infrastructure to keep pace — building out a dedicated support division, expanding its product offering, and developing an in-house training academy to bring new talent into the business.
The River Capital investment will help the company capitalise on that momentum, supporting the creation of up to 10 new jobs in Lancashire as it looks to deliver on a secured order book exceeding seven-figures.
Barry Bullen, CEO of Smart IT, said: “We are at a really exciting point in the business. Demand has grown significantly and we are seeing larger, more complex opportunities come our way than ever before. The support from River Capital gives us the platform to bring in the right people and continue delivering for our clients.”
Jim Moore, Investment Manager at River Capital, said: “Smart IT has built a genuinely strong position in a high-growth global market. The business has a well-established client base, a healthy order book, and real ambition for what comes next.
We’re pleased to be supporting that through the North West Business Growth Loan Fund.”
The investment is backed by the Growth Guarantee Scheme and supports the creation of 10 new full-time roles in Lancashire.
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