A service that uses advanced computer programs that learn from past data to evaluate loan applications, set interest rates, and manage repayments. Think of it as a very fast, data-driven loan officer that can approve loans, price risk, and spot problems more quickly than traditional systems. For investors, these platforms can cut costs and speed growth but also change credit risk, regulatory exposure, and the predictability of returns.
private marketsfinancial
Private markets are places where investors buy and sell ownership in companies, debt, or assets that are not listed on public stock exchanges — think direct stakes in a start-up, private company, real estate project, or loan. They matter to investors because these deals can offer higher potential returns and diversification but come with less transparency, limited ability to sell quickly, and more uncertainty, like owning a whole house versus trading shares of a real estate fund.
private equityfinancial
Private equity involves investing money directly into private companies or buying out public companies to make them private, with the goal of improving their performance and increasing their value over time. For investors, it offers an opportunity to earn returns by helping companies grow or restructure, often requiring a longer-term commitment and a higher level of involvement than typical stock investments.
alternative assetsfinancial
Investments that sit outside traditional stocks, bonds and cash—examples include real estate, private equity, hedge funds, commodities, collectibles and some cryptocurrencies. They matter to investors because they can offer different returns and risks, reduce exposure to market swings and provide access to income or growth sources not tied to public markets; think of them as adding different ingredients to a portfolio’s recipe to balance flavor and risk, though they often trade less frequently and can carry higher fees.
wealth equity line of creditfinancial
A wealth equity line of credit is a revolving loan that uses an owned asset—most commonly a home or an investment portfolio—as collateral, letting an individual borrow up to an approved limit without selling those assets. For investors this matters because it provides quick access to cash for opportunities or expenses while their investments stay invested, but it also carries risks like interest costs and potential forced repayment if the collateral’s value falls, similar to borrowing against the equity in your house or the balance in your brokerage account.
line of creditfinancial
A line of credit is a flexible borrowing arrangement that lets a company draw money up to a preset limit, repay it, and borrow again as needed—similar to a business credit card or an emergency tap on a savings account. It matters to investors because it shows how a firm manages short-term cash needs and growth funding without taking a single large loan; access, cost, and attached conditions can affect liquidity, interest expenses and financial risk.
The company also announced $8.6 million in seed funding from Motive Ventures, Portage, Apollo, and Hamilton Lane to build AI-powered credit infrastructure that enables financial advisors and their high-net-worth clients to borrow against private equity, venture, and alternative assets without selling.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Pluto Financial Technologies, Inc. has launched the first AI-powered lending platform purpose built for private markets, backed by Motive Ventures, Portage, Apollo Global Management (NYSE: APO), Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE), Tectonic Ventures, and Broadhaven Ventures. Pluto has raised $8.6 million in equity and secured hundreds of millions in lending capacity.
Private markets are booming, with total AUM projected to grow 1.5x in the next five years. Yet these assets largely remain locked up for years, burdened by unpredictable capital calls, scarce secondary options, and steep discounts for sellers. Additionally, borrowing against them has historically been slow, costly, and accessible only to the ultra-wealthy.
Pluto offers a modern solution by transforming illiquid private market assets into instant financial flexibility.
As an AI-powered lending platform purpose built for private markets, Pluto connects directly to portfolios so investors can access credit on demand, without selling positions or waiting months for intermediaries.
“Pluto is the bridge between alternative asset ownership and everyday financial freedom,” said Neel Ganu, CFA, CEO and co-founder of Pluto. “Our mission is simple: make liquidity accessible to all investors, without forcing early exits.”
Introducing the Wealth Equity Line of Credit (WELOC)
Pluto’s flagship Wealth Equity Line of Credit (WELOC) is designed to let investors borrow against private market assets at competitive rates, with repayment from future fund distributions and no monthly interest payments, keeping their capital working while unlocking liquidity.
Through two major distribution partners, Allocate and Moonfare, Pluto provides access to thousands of investors managing over $6 billion in alternative assets, enabling smarter liquidity decisions. Supported by institutional balance sheet partners, Pluto has secured hundreds of millions in lending capacity to meet this demand.
“Liquidity constraints have limited wealth advisor participation in private markets. Our partnership with Pluto allows us to offer flexible liquidity solutions in real-time through our platform, removing a critical barrier for advisors and their clients,” said Samir Kaji, CEO, Allocate.
“As a leader in private markets, we’re focused on enabling better, more seamless, technology-enabled access for all investors. We are excited to be partnering with Pluto, whose modern, scalable platform aims to unlock liquidity where it’s traditionally been out of reach and seeks to empower investors with speed, security and control,” said Griff Norville, Head of Technology Solutions at Hamilton Lane.
Pluto’s team brings experience from Fidelity, Canoe, Unqork, Paul Weiss, and Citi, combining institutional credit, technology, and AI expertise. This background enables Pluto to underwrite and scale credit against complex private market portfolios. Pluto is redefining how capital moves in private markets, making liquidity as seamless as investing.
About Pluto Financial Technologies
Pluto is a next-generation embedded lending platform unlocking liquidity for investors using their portfolios, including alternative assets, as collateral. Headquartered in New York, Pluto partners with leading wealth platforms and asset managers to offer AI-powered credit products that are fast, flexible, and built for modern investors.
