Publications
Publications
- August 2019
- HBS Case Collection
ClearScore, 2018
By: John R. Wells and Benjamin Weinstock
Abstract
In October 2017, Experian, one of the “Big Three” consumer credit reporting agencies in the United Kingdom made an offer to acquire ClearScore for a total consideration of £293 million. Founded by Justin Basini, Dan Cobley, and Nigel Morris in 2014, ClearScore was the UK’s first company to offer consumers full credit reports and scores for free. ClearScore had accumulated over 5 million customers since its launch on July 15, 2015, and was growing rapidly. In the final quarter of 2017, it was set to reach break-even and deliver £27 million in revenues for the year. Was this the time to sell?
Keywords
Fintech; Financial Services; Credit Card; Credit Scores; Startup; Start-up; Startup Financing; Startup Marketing; "Marketing Analytics"; Regulation; Lending; Television Advertising; Entrepreneur; Entrepreneurial Mindset; Entrepreneurial Ventures; Entrepreneurs; Global Business; Rapid Growth Stage; Risk; Net Present Value; Testing; Testing Strategy; Geographies; Mergers & Acquisitions; Finance; Strategy; Credit; Business Startups; Entrepreneurship; Expansion; Mergers and Acquisitions; Financial Services Industry; United Kingdom; South Africa
Citation
Wells, John R., and Benjamin Weinstock. "ClearScore, 2018." Harvard Business School Case 720-369, August 2019.