Pluto Launches AI-Powered Lending Platform to Unlock Private Market Liquidity

Pluto debuts an AI-driven credit platform with $8.6 million in funding to provide liquidity for private asset investors.

NewDecoded

Published Jan 7, 2026

Jan 7, 2026

3 min read

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Pluto Financial Technologies has officially debuted its AI-powered lending platform designed to unlock liquidity in private markets. Backed by industry giants like Apollo and Hamilton Lane, the New York-based firm aims to help investors access cash from their portfolios. This technology enables financial advisors and high-net-worth clients to borrow against private equity and venture capital assets without being forced to sell.

The company also announced a successful $8.6 million seed funding round led by Motive Ventures and Portage. Other strategic investors include Apollo Global Management, Hamilton Lane, Tectonic Ventures, and Broadhaven Ventures. Beyond the equity raise, Pluto has secured hundreds of millions in lending capacity to fuel its modern credit solutions.

At the heart of the offering is the Wealth Equity Line of Credit, or WELOC. This flagship product allows investors to borrow at competitive rates with repayment tied to future fund distributions. Because it removes the need for monthly interest payments, capital continues working while providing immediate financial flexibility.

Pluto leverages artificial intelligence to build credit infrastructure that connects directly to alternative asset portfolios. This automation replaces traditional, manual underwriting processes that often take months to complete. By using AI to assess complex private holdings, the platform delivers on-demand credit with speed and precision.

Strategic partnerships with Allocate and Moonfare provide Pluto with immediate scale. Through these platforms, thousands of investors managing billions in assets can now access liquidity with a few clicks. This integration removes a significant barrier for advisors who previously struggled with the illiquidity of alternative investments. The leadership team brings deep expertise from institutions like Fidelity, Citi, and Canoe. CEO Neel Ganu emphasized that the mission is to bridge the gap between asset ownership and financial freedom. As private markets continue to expand, Pluto seeks to make liquidity as seamless as the initial investment process.

Decoded Take

The launch of Pluto signals a major shift in how the financial industry handles the liquidity trap inherent in private markets. By automating the underwriting of complex, illiquid assets, Pluto is democratizing a service previously reserved for the ultra-wealthy. The strategic backing from Apollo and Hamilton Lane is particularly significant, as it suggests that major institutional players see AI-driven lending as the key to scaling the alternative asset class for a broader investor base. This model transforms stagnant fund interests into flexible capital, potentially accelerating the maturation of the entire private market ecosystem.