Barker raises US$3.5m to advance insurer-backed AI valuations in ABF

Barker, a fintech company specialising in AI-driven valuation of illiquid assets, has closed a US$3.5m funding round led by Walkabout VC. The capital will support the company’s plans to scale its agentic valuation system, which provides real-time, enforceable valuations for lenders active in asset-backed finance (ABF).

The firm aims to modernise the way collateral is assessed and risk-managed. Conventional appraisal processes for high-value assets such as aircraft, artwork, industrial equipment, and GPUs often leave lenders with limited assurance about pricing accuracy. Barker’s platform is designed to address this gap by generating precise valuations that are supported by insurance coverage. Through an existing arrangement with Munich Re’s aiSure performance guarantee insurance, the company offers valuations that come with a warranty: if an asset ultimately sells for less than the AI-generated estimate, the insurer covers the difference. This model converts subjective assessments into verifiable instruments, strengthening lender confidence and broadening access to capital.

Barker considers this approach a foundational trust layer for ABF, enabling lenders to make decisions with greater certainty by relying on insured AI-generated valuations rather than traditional appraisals.

The latest investment reflects growing industry interest in technologies that resolve uncertainty around illiquid asset pricing. Walkabout VC highlighted the relevance of Barker’s solution, noting that confidence in collateral valuation remains a major challenge across the ABF ecosystem. The firm’s backing signals its expectation that Barker’s methodology could become a benchmark for valuation reliability.

The funding round follows a period of rapid progress for Barker. Since launching its partnership with Munich Re in early 2025, the company has processed approximately US$2bn in valuations. Its system has also received approval from large banks and private lenders, although these institutions have not been publicly named due to confidentiality agreements.

Munich Re views the collaboration as an example of how advanced technology and established risk-transfer mechanisms can be integrated to mitigate valuation uncertainty. The insurer has emphasised that unreliable asset pricing remains a significant source of volatility in lending markets, and sees Barker’s model as a way to counter that risk.

With the new investment, Barker intends to expand its valuation capabilities into additional asset categories and strengthen ties with financial institutions. The company aims to position its insured AI valuations as a standard component of risk management in ABF.