Final Rentals Becomes First Welsh Business to Secure NatWest IP-Backed Loan
23 September, 2026
Final Rentals Becomes First Welsh Business to Secure NatWest IP-Backed Loan
Cardiff-based fintech Final Rentals has become the first business in Wales to secure a NatWest IP-backed loan, securing a six-figure sum to support continued investment in AI, technology and intellectual property.
The funding comes during a period of growth for Final Rentals, which has increased bookings by 200% this year, expanded into three new territories and now operates across more than 65 countries.
Founder and CEO Ammar Akhtar was also recently named Fintech Leader of the Year at the 2026 Wales Fintech Awards.
Scaling a Welsh fintech internationally
Founded in Cardiff in 2019, Final Rentals has grown from a Welsh start-up into an international car rental franchise and technology platform.
The business provides independent car rental operators with technology, booking infrastructure and access to global customers, helping them compete with larger international operators.
Final Rentals also has strong links to the FinTech Wales ecosystem. Founder and CEO Ammar Akhtar graduated from Season 2 of the FinTech Wales Foundry accelerator, which supports fintech businesses as they develop and scale.
As Final Rentals has grown, the company has increasingly explored alternatives to traditional equity investment to finance its expansion.
Akhtar joined the NatWest Accelerator in Cardiff in 2022, where Final Rentals developed a relationship with the bank that continued beyond the accelerator programme. The business subsequently became a NatWest Venture Banking customer and was introduced to the bank’s IP-backed lending proposition.
Reflecting on the relationship in a recent LinkedIn post, Akhtar described the NatWest Accelerator as a “real catalyst for growth” for the company.
“Here is what I’ve learned: a lot changes when a high street bank acts as a high street mentor. When a bank works with a high-growth business the way a venture partner would, it unlocks things traditional banking never could,” he wrote.
View Ammar Akhtar’s original LinkedIn post.
Unlocking value from intellectual property
NatWest’s IP-backed lending proposition enables eligible high-growth businesses to borrow against the value of their intellectual property, with specialist IP valuation company Inngot supporting the assessment and valuation of qualifying assets.
For Final Rentals, the approach offered an opportunity to access growth capital without giving away additional equity in the company.
Akhtar said the proposition was a “no-brainer” for Final Rentals:
“As the business was growing, we reached a point where, going into our fourth funding round, debt funding was a better and wiser choice to fuel our growth.
“The good thing is you don’t actually give away equity, so you can unlock value from something you’ve already built without giving up part of the business. It gives us the capital to keep investing in our technology, which in turn creates more IP and more value. I think it’s a very clever way of fundraising.”
The six-figure loan will support further investment in AI, GPUs, technology and intellectual property as Final Rentals continues its international expansion.
From innovation to regional growth
NatWest Group highlighted Final Rentals as part of its recently published From Innovation to Impact research, which examines innovation and its potential contribution to economic growth across the UK’s nations and regions.
In its announcement, NatWest described Final Rentals’ journey from joining its Cardiff Accelerator to becoming the first Welsh business to secure an IP-backed loan as an example of how businesses can combine innovation and ambition with access to support, expertise, networks and finance.
The bank also highlighted its work with Inngot to enable businesses to explore funding opportunities linked to the value of their intellectual property.
Read NatWest Group’s report on turning the UK’s innovation potential into regional growth.
A milestone for Welsh fintech
The deal represents another milestone for Final Rentals as the company continues to scale internationally from Cardiff, while demonstrating an alternative route through which intellectual property can support the funding requirements of growing technology businesses.
Final Rentals’ journey, from participating in the FinTech Wales Foundry and NatWest Accelerator to becoming a NatWest Venture Banking customer and securing the IP-backed loan, reflects the different forms of support the company has accessed during its growth.
Akhtar thanked the NatWest teams supporting the company, including Louis Spencer, Siwan Rees, Samuel Sharkey, Pam Sheemar and Jessica Shipman, as well as Inngot for its role in the IP valuation process.
NatWest Group has also published a video featuring Final Rentals and Akhtar discussing the company’s journey and growth.