Bridge Launches $500M Fund to Finance CPG Suppliers for Major Retailers

Bridge, a Citi-backed AI-powered lending platform, has launched a $500 million direct lending fund to provide fast, transparent production capital to CPG brands and retail suppliers fulfilling purchase orders for major retailers like Walmart. Since its spin-out from Citi in 2023, Bridge has deployed over $800 million and facilitated financing for hundreds of growing businesses. The fund launch is driven by demand from suppliers, as exemplified by DogSauce, a pet-food super broth meal topper that expanded from 1,200 to 3,000+ Walmart stores on a single order, nearly doubling its prior year revenue. Founder Dakota Sheets noted, “When Walmart calls with an expansion like this, you don't want to say no. But the financing gap between production and payment is real, and Bridge makes it possible to fill the orders without giving up equity.”

The core problem Bridge addresses is the financing gap that arises when a brand wins a major retailer order: suppliers must pay for manufacturing, raw materials, packaging, freight, and compliance before delivery, long before the retailer pays. This timing mismatch can force brands to drain operating cash, raise equity, delay fulfillment, or turn to costly, opaque financing. Bridge’s AI-powered underwriting looks forward at upcoming orders rather than backward at historical profits, enabling it to fund up to 100% of production costs in days, with repayment structured around when retailers pay. Rohit Mathur, CEO and Co-Founder, explains, “Bridge is using AI to put capital to work for the businesses that need it. By analyzing the business, the order, and the retailer relationship more deeply than legacy underwriting allows, Bridge can move faster and get from no to yes for strong suppliers that traditional lenders might miss.” Walmart’s Senior Director of Global Treasury, Brandy Newhof, added that the program gives suppliers an additional funding option.

Bridge’s fund is built around the specific payment cycles and fulfillment requirements of each retailer, helping brands say yes to bigger orders without undue pressure. Harte Thompson, Co-Founder and COO, emphasizes that while many lenders extend capital after delivery, Bridge supports brands at the critical moment of building inventory for upcoming orders. Access to production capital is vital for scaling businesses and keeping shelves stocked. For more information, visit bridge.co. Bridge is backed by TTV Capital, Citi Ventures, Uncorrelated Ventures, Gilgamesh Ventures, Thayer Partners, and US Bank Ventures.