<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><ns2:project xmlns:ns1="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api" xmlns:ns2="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project" xmlns:ns3="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/fund" xmlns:ns4="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/person" xmlns:ns5="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project/outcome" xmlns:ns6="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/organisation" ns1:created="2026-07-08T08:44:08Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/projects/CB7A27DB-32CA-4BE1-B119-1674A678BC86" ns1:id="CB7A27DB-32CA-4BE1-B119-1674A678BC86"><ns1:links><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/persons/F06303E9-B7CB-4B6D-8CE1-A0330FEED825" ns1:rel="PM_PER"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/108AFB86-87D6-4DA9-8EF6-AD17EFD7B14B" ns1:rel="LEAD_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/108AFB86-87D6-4DA9-8EF6-AD17EFD7B14B" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:end="2021-06-29T23:00:00Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/funds/55965716-A3CD-4217-8AE1-2E72DDA7531D" ns1:rel="FUND" ns1:start="2020-09-30T23:00:00Z"/></ns1:links><ns2:identifiers><ns2:identifier ns2:type="RCUK">81315</ns2:identifier></ns2:identifiers><ns2:title>An innovative digital escrow platform to provide buyers and sellers with security and flexibility when making transactions that could save SMEs 200 hours and &amp;pound;9,000 annually.</ns2:title><ns2:status>Closed</ns2:status><ns2:grantCategory>Collaborative R&amp;D</ns2:grantCategory><ns2:leadFunder>Innovate UK</ns2:leadFunder><ns2:abstractText>Customate Ltd. is a rapidly growing UK SME specialising in RegTech &amp;amp; FinTech.

COVID-19 has accelerated the move online, with SMEs needing to offer cashless transactions and provide a safe trading presence that suits their business and customers. There has been a surge in demand for platforms that can handle volume and complexity.

Founded by Usman Awan, Bruce Stewart and Alison Werrett, Customate are developing digital escrow platform, providing buyers and sellers with security and flexibility when making transactions. This enables both parties to trade with confidence and eliminates any chances of fraud.</ns2:abstractText></ns2:project>