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Clearco

Category: AI in Fintech

AI-powered revenue-based financing platform providing non-dilutive growth capital to e-commerce and DTC brands. Clearco was founded in 2015. The company is led by Andrew C. Curtis. Based in Toronto, Canada. Team size: 101-500. Total funding raised: $775M. Latest round: Series D. Key investors include SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Inovia Capital, Founders Circle Capital, Oak HC/FT, Highland Capital Partners, Emergence Capital, Social Capital, Pollen Street Capital, Kensington Capital Partners, FJ Labs, Accel, Baird Capital.

Founded
2015
Headquarters
Toronto, Canada
Team size
101-500
Total funding
$775M

Value proposition

Non-dilutive, AI-underwritten growth capital with no personal guarantees, no blanket liens, and no equity dilution. Funding decisions in as little as 24 hours with transparent, capped weekly payments.

Products and solutions

Fixed Funding Capacity (one-time capital with capped weekly payments), Rolling Funding Capacity (replenishing capital for ongoing growth), Cash Advance (on-demand working capital), Invoice Funding (pay vendors on time), Early Payment Option

Unique value

AI-powered underwriting that removes bias from traditional VC funding; the only capital provider offering both Fixed and Rolling Funding Capacity; no personal guarantees or blanket liens; 65% customer return rate.

Target customer

DTC e-commerce and SaaS businesses with 12+ months of consistent revenue, generating $100K+ USD/month, incorporated in the U.S.

Industries served

E-commerce, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands, SaaS

Technology advantage

AI-supported underwriting that automates diligence via direct API connections to e-commerce platforms (Shopify, Amazon, Stripe, Square, BigCommerce, PayPal) and ad platforms (Meta, Google). Proprietary ML models analyze revenue data, ad spend, and unit economics to make funding decisions in as little as 24 hours.

How they differentiate

Clearco uses proprietary AI/ML to underwrite loans by connecting directly to merchants' sales, payment, and ad platforms (Shopify, Stripe, Amazon, Meta, Google) — enabling bias-free, data-driven funding decisions in minutes rather than weeks. Unlike traditional lenders, they offer non-dilutive revenue-share agreements with no personal guarantees and no blanket liens.

Main competitors

Wayflyer, Capchase, Pipe, Founderpath, Shopify Capital, Uncapped

Key partnerships

Shopify (platform integration), Amazon (platform integration), Stripe (technology partner), BigCommerce, Square, PayPal, Meta Ads, Google Ads, Pollen Street Capital (asset-backed facility), D.LUXURY (e-commerce partnership), Boundless (working capital partnership)

Notable customers

Larroudé (luxury footwear), DIGGS (footwear brand), Dyper (eco-friendly diapers), Cecil & Lou (children's apparel)

Major milestones

2015: Founded as Clearbanc by Michele Romanow and Andrew D'Souza, 2018: $70M Series A led by Emergence and Social Capital, 2019: $49.3M Series B led by Highland Capital, 2021: Rebranded from Clearbanc to Clearco, $100M Series C + $250M debt led by Oak HC/FT, $215M Series C extension led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 at $2B valuation (unicorn), 2023: $60M Series D recapitalization + $100M asset-backed facility from Pollen Street Capital, Andrew Curtis appointed CEO, 2024: Tripled funding deployment year-over-year, 2025: On track for 50% growth, Over $3B deployed to 10,000+ brands

Growth metrics

$3B+ deployed to 10,000+ brands; 65% customer return rate; 30% of founders are BIPOC; 8x more women-led businesses funded vs. traditional VC

Market positioning

Clearco is a leading revenue-based financing platform for e-commerce, having deployed over $3B to 10,000+ brands. Positioned as a "founder-friendly" alternative to both traditional VC (dilutive) and bank loans (high interest/collateral). Valued at $2B unicorn status since 2021.

Geographic focus

North America (primarily US and Canada)

About Andrew C. Curtis

Ex-Merrill Lynch & Co. (Investment Bank); Ex-Lazard Frères (Investment Bank); Advisor to Annaly Capital Management; Brown University graduate. Over 20 years of finance experience in New York City.

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