ASX-listed Xero has acquired Australian invoice-financing startup Waddle in a deal worth up to A$80 million.
Waddle lets a small business take a quick secured loan against its accounts receivables - helping to tide it over until an invoice is paid.
In a market filing, Xero indicated the move could be part of a broader push into financing.
"Post the acquisition of Waddle, Xero will continue to explore how to facilitate small business access to capital beyond invoice financing," it said.