Prime Highlights
- Slope has partnered with Amazon to provide reusable lines of credit to eligible US-based sellers, expanding financing options on the platform.
- The programme uses AI-driven, real-time approvals and is backed by a credit facility from JPMorgan Chase.
Key Facts
- Qualified sellers can apply through Amazon Seller Central, with interest rates starting at 8.99% and repayment terms from three months to one year.
- Sellers must have at least one year in business and more than $100,000 in annual revenue to be eligible.
Background
Slope, an artificial intelligence-based lending startup, has partnered with Amazon to offer reusable lines of credit to eligible US-based sellers on the platform. The programme, backed by a credit facility from JPMorgan Chase, will be available starting Tuesday, the company told CNBC.
Under the partnership, qualified Amazon sellers can apply for financing directly through their Amazon Seller Central accounts. The application process takes only a few minutes, with real-time approvals powered by Slope’s AI technology and Amazon’s performance data.
The lines of credit start at an annual percentage rate of 8.99%. Sellers must have been in business for at least one year and generate more than $100,000 in annual revenue to qualify. Once approved, sellers can draw funds as needed and choose repayment terms ranging from three months to one year, allowing them to match payments with inventory cycles.
Slope was co-founded by CEO Lawrence Lin Murata and Alice Deng. Lin Murata said his experience growing up in a family-run toy shop in São Paulo shaped his understanding of cash flow challenges faced by small businesses. That insight led to the creation of Slope, which is backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and JPMorgan Chase.
Deng said the partnership fills a financing gap for more established Amazon sellers that need larger, bank-level funding. Independent sellers account for more than 60% of Amazon’s total sales, she added.
Amazon said the partnership expands financing options for sellers at different growth stages. During early trials, Slope reported applications growing by 300% week over week.
Slope already works with major companies including Samsung, Alibaba and Ikea. The company said its goal is to make business financing faster, fairer and easier by using AI-driven credit assessments.
