How DJ-turned-fintech founder at Receive is solving cash flow delays for SMBs

“Receive was inspired by CEO Ariel Blum’s first-hand experience with cash flow challenges. As a DJ he often waited weeks to get paid,” said Receive. “Growing up in a family that ran a small business, he saw how delayed payouts could limit growth. Later, in leadership roles at Melio, American Express, and Green Dot, Ariel recognised a systemic flaw in how financial institutions serve SMBs and envisioned a faster, fairer way to give them access to the revenue they’ve already earned.”

Ariel Blum

Ariel’s personal experience was the nexus behind the creation of Receive, a fintech startup using an “Earned Revenue Access” model to replace slow, debt-based funding with instant, interest-free payouts. By embedding its service directly into payment processors and software platforms, the company’s goal is to turn faster cash flow into the market standard.

You can learn more about the company below.

Company Name: Receive

Sector: Fintech

Product/Service description:

Interest and fee-free removal of payout delays, providing SMBs extra liquidity and improved cash flow with no downsides. We are creating “on demand revenue,” changing the institutional problems of cash flow that affect SMBs’ access to capital. We distribute through partnerships (Titanium Payments just signed) that give our partners a new revenue stream (from interchange of their merchants) and access to a world of new data regarding their merchants.

Founder Bios:

Ariel Blum is an Oleh Chadash from New Jersey. He started as a DJ in New York City, then worked at American Express, Green Dot, and Melio. He had a serious back injury, overcame the odds, and is now fitness-obsessed.

Year of Founding: 2023

Last Investment Round: $4 million

Last Investment Stage: Seed

Date of Last Investment: Aug 2025

Total investment to date: $7.1 million and a debt facility of $15 million

Investors: NextGen Venture Partners, Insight Partners, Blank Ventures, Verissimo Ventures, Corner Ventures, Clocktower Technology Ventures.

Current number of employees: 10

Open positions: Software Engineer

Website: https://www.nowreceive.com/

How was the idea born?

Receive was inspired by CEO Ariel Blum’s first-hand experience with cash flow challenges. As a DJ, he often waited weeks to get paid. Growing up in a family that ran a small business, he saw how delayed payouts could limit growth. Later, in leadership roles at Melio, American Express, and Green Dot, Ariel recognised a systemic flaw in how financial institutions serve SMBs and envisioned a faster, fairer way to give them access to the revenue they’ve already earned.

What is the need for the product?

Cash flow is one of the biggest challenges for small businesses. Research shows it plays a role in 82% of business failures. Traditional payment systems often hold funds for days or weeks, leaving SMBs without the liquidity they need to operate and grow. Receive solves this by giving businesses instant access to the revenue they’ve already earned, helping them reinvest quickly, keep operations running smoothly, and avoid taking on expensive debt.

How is it changing the market?

Receive is redefining how SMBs access working capital by replacing slow, debt-based funding with instant, interest-free access to earned revenue. Unlike loans, factoring, or cash advances, our Earned Revenue Access model lets businesses unlock their own funds without credit checks or hidden fees. By partnering with processors like Titanium Payments, we’re embedding this capability directly into the tools merchants already use, turning faster cash flow from a rare advantage into a market standard.

How big is the market for the product and who are its main customers?

In the U.S. alone, small and medium-sized businesses generate over $8 trillion in annual revenue, yet billions sit locked in settlement delays at any given time. Our primary customers are SMBs across sectors like e-commerce, retail, and services that rely on fast cash flow to operate and grow. We work directly with payment processors, ISOs, and software platforms, embedding Earned Revenue Access into the financial tools these businesses already use.

Does the product exist already? If not - at what stage is it and when is it expected to hit the market?

Yes – our Earned Revenue Access platform is live and powering products like the Titanium Boost Business Mastercard® through our partnership with Titanium Payments. Merchants in Titanium’s network are already using it to convert pending settlements into real-time spending power. We’re also integrating with additional processors and platforms, expanding reach and functionality to more SMBs in the coming months.

Who are the main competitors in this sector and how big are they?

Our competitors generally rely on lending models that require interest, fees, or credit checks, and are often centered on e-commerce. Receive takes a different approach: we offer a free, no-debt solution that works across industries. Our unique distribution model embeds Earned Revenue Access directly into our partners’ payment and software ecosystems. This not only gives merchants instant access to their funds but also enables partners to deepen relationships, unlock new revenue streams, and strengthen their market position.

What is the added value that the founders bring to the company and the product?

CEO Ariel Blum brings a rare mix of personal experience, industry expertise, and deep market insight. Having grown up in a small business family and worked as a DJ, he understands firsthand the challenges SMBs face with delayed payouts. His leadership roles at Melio, Green Dot, and American Express gave him a deep understanding of payment infrastructure, regulatory requirements, and partner ecosystems. This combination allows Receive to design solutions that resonate with merchants, meet compliance needs, and integrate seamlessly with partner platforms. Ariel’s network in fintech and payments also accelerates strategic partnerships and market adoption.

What will the money coming in from the round be used for?

The funding will support the expansion of our Tel Aviv-based team, with a focus on hiring experienced software engineers to accelerate product innovation. We’re developing technology that makes integrating our Earned Revenue Access service even simpler for partners, reducing implementation time and complexity. These investments will strengthen our ability to scale rapidly, deliver a seamless experience for merchants, and deepen our network of payment and software platform partnerships.

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