Tracelight, a dynamic London-based fintech startup, is drawing fresh attention after raising $3.6 million in seed funding to revolutionize how analysts, consultants, and finance professionals approach financial modelling. With artificial intelligence (AI) innovation at its core, Tracelight takes an enduring yet rigid tool—Excel—and makes it intelligent, enabling speed, accuracy, and new possibilities for decision-makers in a data-driven world.
What Is Tracelight and How Does It Work?
Founded in 2024 by Peter Fuller, Aleksander Misztal, and Janek Zimoch, Tracelight has engineered an AI-powered Excel add-in that automates and accelerates complex financial modelling tasks directly inside the platform trusted by millions. The technology allows large language models (LLMs) to interpret spreadsheet content—the values, formulas, formatting, and cell relationships—and encode them into structures LLMs understand.
This unlocks powerful features such as:
Natural language formula generation (type a request instead of writing complex Excel code)
Automated error checking and model validation, reducing the risk of mistakes
Smart analysis and scenario evaluation at speeds far beyond traditional workflows
Users interact with Tracelight’s add-in entirely within Excel, meaning there’s no need to learn new tools or switch contexts—a major advantage for adoption and productivity.
Why Is AI-Powered Financial Modelling a Big Deal?
Financial modelling is the backbone of major corporate decisions, funding rounds, investments, and strategic planning. Yet, traditional approaches rely heavily on static spreadsheets, prone to manual errors and inefficiency. Up to 90% of traditional models contain mistakes, potentially skewing vital decisions. AI tools like Tracelight address these long-standing pain points by:
Dramatically reducing manual errors through automated validation
Reducing the gruntwork—hours or even days spent building or checking models shrink to minutes
Making advanced forecasting and scenario analysis accessible to non-technical users
This shift is already producing measurable results: recent industry surveys show companies using AI-driven modelling are seeing a 35% improvement in forecast reliability, and significant reductions in reporting errors. The trajectory is clear—the integration of AI into Excel is moving from a “nice to have” to a baseline necessity for high-performing teams.
How Will Tracelight Impact Finance Professionals Globally?
Key Benefits:
Analysts can spend more time interpreting results and advising on strategy—rather than hunting for broken formulas.
Enhanced responsiveness to market changes, thanks to real-time data integration and LLM capabilities.
A familiar, intuitive workflow: if you know Excel, you’re already at home.
The technology is already gaining early traction among investment banks, private equity firms, and professional services organizations seeking a competitive edge.
The company’s recent funding round, led by Chalfen Ventures with additional support from Acequia Capital, Inovo, Entrepreneur First, and prominent angel investors, will fuel product development, global expansion, and the recruitment of top AI talent.
What Problems in Financial Modelling Does Tracelight Solve?
Reduces manual errors: Automatic scanning for logic mistakes in complex formulas.
Saves time: Automating repetitive analysis tasks, freeing up professionals for high-level thinking.
Improves trust: Built-in validation improves confidence in models that underpin billion-dollar decisions.
Empowers non-coders: With natural language prompts, anyone can build and test models, not just finance pros.
Why Are AI-Powered Tools the Future of Financial Modelling?
AI brings adaptive, learning-driven analysis, versus rigid one-size-fits-all formulas.
Greater accuracy: AI’s ability to recognize patterns in large data sets beats traditional spreadsheet guesswork.
Cost-effective: Reduces the need for external consultants or time-consuming audits.
Accessible to all: These tools democratize advanced modelling, as even small startups can now compete with enterprise capabilities.
Tracelight’s journey demonstrates how AI isn’t replacing finance professionals—it’s making them faster, sharper, and more effective. For those still laboring over unwieldy Excel models, the future is knocking… and it’s powered by intelligent automation.
