
Clearco is a Canadian venture capital firm that provides funding to early-stage startups through its proprietary algorithm.
Clearco was founded in 2015 by Michele Romanow, a well-known Canadian entrepreneur and Shark Tank Canada investor.
The company's algorithm assesses a startup's growth potential and provides funding in exchange for equity.
Clearco has invested in over 1,000 startups across North America, with a focus on e-commerce, software, and digital media companies.
Its team of experts reviews and analyzes each application to determine the best investment opportunities.
Investments and Funding
Clearco has made 10 investments, with their latest investment being in Firsthand as part of their Unattributed on January 02, 2024. They've also made investments in Mobobaby, Better Rhodes, and The Old Wolf Supplements, among others.
Their total funding stands at $905M over 6 rounds, with their first funding round being on Aug 04, 2019. This funding has helped Clearco grow and expand its operations.
Clearco has 27 investors, including Inovia Capital, Founders Circle Capital, and Pollen Street Capital. Inovia Capital was the lead investor in Clearco's latest funding round, a Series D round on Oct 04, 2023 for $60M.
Here are the details of Clearco's recent funding rounds:
Clearco has received funding from various investors, including venture capital firms, private equity firms, and hedge funds. Their funding rounds have helped them expand their operations and invest in new companies.
Portfolio and Exits
Clearco has a track record of successful portfolio exits. Their latest exit was the acquisition of Hunt A Killer on February 22, 2024.
Clearco has 5 portfolio exits in total. This demonstrates their ability to identify and support promising startups that eventually achieve significant growth and success.
One of their notable exits is the acquisition of Hunt A Killer, a company that was acquired by Relatable for an undisclosed valuation of $XXM.
Here are the details of Clearco's portfolio exits:
Clearco's portfolio exits are a testament to their ability to identify and support successful startups.
Competitors and Market
Clearco operates in a competitive market with companies like Pipe and Wayflyer. Pipe provides non-dilutive capital solutions for businesses, focusing on revenue-based funding with flexible payment terms.
Pipe primarily serves small to midsize businesses, while Wayflyer caters to electronic commerce businesses. Both companies offer financing options, including working capital and growth capital.
Vitt, on the other hand, focuses on investment management, allowing customers to invest their idle cash in money market funds managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
Compare Competitors
Pipe provides financial services and specializes in non-dilutive capital solutions for businesses, primarily serving small to midsize businesses and entrepreneurs seeking growth without equity dilution.
Pipe was founded in 2019 and is based in San Francisco, California.
Wayflyer operates as a financial services company focusing on providing funding solutions for electronic commerce businesses, primarily serving the eCommerce sector.
The company was founded in 2019 and is based in Dublin 2, Ireland.
Vitt focuses on investment management, offering services that allow customers to invest their idle cash in money market funds managed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
Vitt's funds are held with a Financial Conduct Authority-regulated custodian, mitigating counterparty risk.
Vitt was founded in 2021 and is based in London, United Kingdom.
A different take: Fairfax Financial
Sectors and Market Segments
Clearco operates primarily in the B2B space within the FinTech market segments. This indicates a focus on serving businesses rather than individual consumers.
Clearco's business model is centered around FinTech, specifically alternative lending. This suggests that they provide financing options to businesses.
In the FinTech market, Clearco serves in the alternative lending space. This is a key area of focus for the company.
Here's a breakdown of Clearco's market segments:
- FinTech
- Alternative Lending
Deal and Investor Information
Clearco has secured funding from a number of notable investors.
Clearco has 26 institutional investors, including prominent names like SoftBank Vision Fund and SoftBank.
One of its key investors is Highland Capital Partners.
Investors
Clearco has a diverse group of 27 institutional investors. Among them are SoftBank Vision Fund, SoftBank, and Highland Capital Partners.
One of Clearco's notable investors is Inovia Capital, which invested in Clearco's Series D funding round. Inovia Capital has been involved with Clearco since 2018 and has participated in three funding rounds.
Another investor is Founders Circle Capital, which invested in Clearco's Series C and Series D funding rounds. Founders Circle Capital is based in California and has been involved with Clearco since 2021.
Clearco also has investors from outside North America, including Pollen Street Capital from the United Kingdom. Pollen Street Capital provided a line of credit to Clearco in 2023.
Here is a list of Clearco's investors:
Deal Terms
Levenue offers revenue-based financing to businesses with recurring revenue, providing capital solutions without equity dilution.
The company uses a business's future Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) to determine funding amounts.
Levenue serves subscription-based and SaaS companies across Europe.
It provides access to capital through a marketplace platform.
The company was founded in 2021 and is based in Breda, Netherlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clearco a legit company?
Yes, Clearco is a legitimate company, accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2015. With a strong track record of financing successful businesses, Clearco has established itself as a reputable player in the industry.
How much does Clearco cost?
Clearco's fees range from 4.25-22% of your business revenue, depending on the length of your extension plan. Learn more about how Clearco's pricing works and how it can support your business growth.
Who is the founder of Clearco?
Clearco was founded by two key individuals: Andrew D'Souza and Michele Romanow. They are also the co-founders of the company.
Sources
- https://www.cbinsights.com/company/clearbanc/financials
- https://tracxn.com/d/companies/clearco/__k6Fg0qTRN3dg0Rm1WXcotjnENTAUFonJi85nytZUqhw
- https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/04/clearco-60m-e-commerce-financier/
- https://techcrunch.com/podcast/clearco-cuts-25-of-staff-considers-strategic-options-for-international-operations/
- https://fintech.global/2023/10/05/clearco-secures-60m-in-series-d-funding-to-empower-ecommerce-growth/
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