From MVP to market-leader: How Cloud Construct helped a fintech startup build competitive advantage through custom software
Bespoke Software
Case Study
Client:
Add Working Capital (AWC)
Cloud Construct service:
Bespoke software development.
Amazon Web Service including Lambda, S3, EC2, RDS, DynamoDB, VPC.
Website development.
Industry:
Fintech
Add Working Capital (AWC) – a trading name of Stafferton Capital Limited – is a fintech specialist which offers innovative inventory finance solutions designed to boost dealer growth and working capital.
AddTech is a purpose-built inventory finance management platform developed exclusively for AWC by Cloud Construct.
Cloud Construct has been working with AWC since 2023 to develop the bespoke software.
Highlights
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Challenges
- Legacy systems and traditional platforms are overly complex and not fit-for-purpose
- Inventory software needs a high level of detail and specialist knowledge to deliver
- Software development can be complicated and full of jargon
- Some developers require up-front payment for the entirety of the project, pricing out many start up businesses
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Solutions
- Cloud Construct has previously developed complex financial software so we understood the detail needed
- As AWS partners, we have access to the world’s most comprehensive cloud and more than 200 fully featured services
- AWC brought their business expertise, we brought our tech expertise. Our 5-step process ensured regular and clear communication
- The budget and project scope was planned and agreed in advance and incrementally. There were no surprises
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Process
- Discovery
- Solution design
- Development
- Testing and launch
- Ongoing success
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Results
- 6 months to MVP
- Zero arrears or losses to date*
- Multi-user deployment
- Global interest generated
* at the time of writing
The Portal
In-Depth
Andy Stafferton, AWC’s founder, identified a gap in the market for a streamlined, automated software for providing inventory finance.
Legacy systems and traditional platforms can be overly complex or not fit for purpose, driving inefficiencies for both the internal teams and the end dealership users.
Technology is rapidly evolving. AddTech has to remain ahead of the competition.
The software had to be able to handle unit-by-unit transactions, requiring detailed technical understanding.
The software also had to be developed for multiple user types – a one-system-solution that’s used by dealerships and AWC’s team members.
Technology is rapidly evolving. AddTech has to remain ahead of the competition. The system has to be able to scale whilst still offering speed, ease and choice at a customer level.
Development had to be affordable for a start up budget.
“We were clear that we were building something long-term, rather than a two-or-three-month exercise.
Cloud Construct came highly recommended. The team had worked on a unit-specific project before. Importantly, they immediately understood the detail required for inventory software.
They were based in the UK and didn’t talk in jargon. They could realise what we were describing in “business speak” and translated that into technology to deliver the solutions we needed.”
Process
The project was split into 5 key stages, with a focus on creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in under 6 months so AWC could launch Add Tech to market and start trading.
1. Discovery
We had a series of consultation meetings to truly understand what AWC wanted us to build, as well as what could be achieved on the budget available.
Alongside the software, a website needed to be developed with AWC’s designer.
2. Solution design
A successful project is reliant on careful planning. In order to design AWC’s bespoke software, this included:
Process mapping and flow diagrams
Before building, it was essential that we understood AWC’s business processes, including how the funding worked. This ensured the software would function in line with their methods and requirements.
Our starting point was a spreadsheet with multiple tabs which was used by the AWC team for complex fee calculations.
Visual prototyping and design
Once we understood AWC’s flows and processes, we designed a prototype to demonstrate how the system worked, as well as the look and feel of the user interfaces.
It gave all parties the chance to check that we were on the right track.
Integrations and third party APIs
The AWC team wanted to offer integrated inventory and billing management and same-day funding within Add Tech’s features.
Through APIs – a secure and standardised way for different software applications to talk to each other – we could connect to and integrate existing services such as the DVLA, GoCardless, Experian, One Auto and Quiktrak.
3. Development
A successful project is reliant on careful planning. In order to design AWC’s bespoke software, this included:
Process mapping and flow diagrams
Before building, it was essential that we understood AWC’s business processes, including how the funding worked. This ensured the software would function in line with their methods and requirements.
Our starting point was a spreadsheet with multiple tabs which was used by the AWC team for complex fee calculations.
Visual prototyping and design
Once we understood AWC’s flows and processes, we designed a prototype to demonstrate how the system worked, as well as the look and feel of the user interfaces.
It gave all parties the chance to check that we were on the right track.
Integrations and third party APIs
The AWC team wanted to offer integrated inventory and billing management and same-day funding within Add Tech’s features.
Through APIs – a secure and standardised way for different software applications to talk to each other – we could connect to and integrate existing services such as the DVLA, GoCardless, Experian, One Auto and Quiktrak.
4. Testing and Launch
When working with a financial system, it’s critical to ensure that changes to the code don’t impact on the maths and calculations. We used unit testing – built in tests that check the calculations are returning the correct answers.
Our goal was to make the “go-live” process a smooth, controlled, and predictable event.
We first launched Add Tech as an MVP to run in parallel with AWC’s existing system. This meant any bugs could be handled with minimum impact.
5. Ongoing success
Since the MVP launched, development has not stopped. The software continues to grow with new features as AWC grows and scales as a business.
Results
AddTech Dealer Portal: Class-leading technology designed specifically for dealerships
“What we’ve built with Cloud Construct is a really cool and innovative system.
My operating expenses are lower thanks to AI and automations – I don’t have to hire lots of people behind the scenes to manage paperwork. Our people can add value to the customer experience instead.Our customers are getting the benefit of simple choice and flexibility that’s real-time on their interface. Instead of spending hours trying to work something out, it’s now a click of a button.
Additionally, our arrears are nil. We have had no losses.”
Andy Stafferton, Chief Executive, Add Working Capital
The AddTech Dealer Portal offers simple, fast, and efficient management of all inventory finance needs in one place.
Key Features:
- Quick Inventory Submission: Upload and submit stock for funding with instant, real-time valuations
- Same-Day Funding: Access funds the same day, improving responsiveness and cash flow
- Real-Time Stock Visibility: Monitor all financed inventory at a glance
- Real-Time Funding Documentation: Create, approve, and manage documents seamlessly
- Integrated Inventory & Billing Management: Oversee credit lines, fees, and payments in a central, user-friendly dashboard
Unprecedented flexibility in fee calculation
From the outset, AddTech introduced unprecedented flexibility in fee calculation, allowing dealerships to tailor payment terms to their business needs — whether daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly — even varying terms for individual assets.
This has been a game-changer for many businesses, improving cash flow visibility and operational agility.
The software enhances the dealer experience and streamlines AWC’s own processes.
Positive response from target market
Dealerships across multiple sectors have responded enthusiastically to AddTech, crediting its usability, transparency, and flexibility with helping drive better business outcomes.
Testimonials from the AddTech website include:
“From the initial application to ongoing support, Add Working Capital has been fantastic. Their technology simplifies everything, and their team is always there when we need them.”
DMC Moto – Claudio Tamburrini
“The flexibility offered by Add Working Capital is unmatched. They understand our seasonal needs and provide terms that work perfectly for our business model.”
Caravan Buyer Nationwide Caravans – Josh Mosey
“Add Working Capital made the stock finance process simple and efficient, with great systems that put us in control of our own inventory funding and flexible terms that suit our business perfectly.”
Kirkland Agricultural Equipment – Scott Worsley
Consultation before commitment
Understand feasibility and realistic budgets before major decisions are made
Long-term growth partner
Continuous development as your business scales and technology evolves.
Pay as you grow
Development is planned and agreed in advance, in line with your budget. There are no costly surprises.
Risk-free parallel operation
Test new systems alongside your existing processes – minimal business disruption.
No jargon
You shouldn’t need a translator to work with a software developer. We strive to make communication as clear and easy as possible