In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, securing capital while retaining control can be a daunting challenge for many founders. Traditional funding methods often require giving up equity, leaving founders with diluted ownership of their companies. Enter Clearco, a game-changing fintech company that has redefined startup funding. Led by visionary entrepreneur Michele Romanow and CEO Andrew Curtis, Clearco is empowering businesses with non-dilutive capital, ensuring founders can grow without sacrificing equity.
Michele Romanow’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Michele Romanow’s journey into the world of entrepreneurship began during her university days when she launched an online caviar business. This early venture set the stage for her future as a serial entrepreneur. Michele’s unique approach and relentless drive soon earned her a seat on CBC’s “Dragons’ Den” (Canada’s Shark Tank), where she became one of the most recognized faces in Canadian entrepreneurship. Known for her belief that “hustle should always matter more than pedigree,” Michele has dedicated her career to supporting founders who may not fit the traditional mold but have the determination and vision to succeed.
In 2015, Michele co-founded Clearbanc (now Clearco) with a mission to provide founders with an alternative to traditional venture capital. Clearco’s innovative model offers revenue-based financing, allowing businesses to receive capital in exchange for a percentage of future revenue, rather than equity. This approach ensures that founders can retain control of their companies while accessing the funds they need to scale.
From Startup to Unicorn
Under Michele’s leadership and with Andrew Curtis as CEO, Clearco quickly grew to become a global powerhouse in the e-commerce investment space. The company has invested over $3.2 billion in more than 7,000 companies across 10 countries, making it the world’s largest e-commerce investor. Clearco’s AI-driven investment model has democratized access to capital, backing founders in all 50 states in the U.S. and supporting 25 times more women than the VC industry average.
Clearco’s pioneering revenue share model, initially designed to fund ad spend and inventory, has been replicated worldwide, benefiting countless founders. In 2019, Clearco achieved unicorn status with a near $2 billion valuation, becoming Softbank’s first Canadian investment. This milestone solidified Clearco’s position as a leader in the fintech space, enabling more entrepreneurs to grow without compromising their ownership.
The Future of Clearco
As Clearco continues to evolve, Michele Romanow and Andrew Curtis remain committed to their mission of helping founders succeed. Clearco 2.0 is now open for business, offering even more sophisticated growth capital solutions for e-commerce businesses. Whether it’s funding invoices, marketing, or operations, Clearco provides founders with the working capital they need, often in as little as 24 hours.
Michele and Andrew’s vision for the future of Clearco is clear: they want to empower more founders to win by keeping more of their companies during the critical growth phase. With a team of finance, technology, and small business experts, Clearco is on a mission to revolutionize the way startups are funded, ensuring that every founder, regardless of background or pedigree, has the opportunity to succeed.
As Clearco continues to break down barriers and set new standards in the industry, Michele Romanow and Andrew Curtis are leading the charge, proving that with the right support, founders can achieve their dreams without compromising their vision.
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