Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • August 2019
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

ClearScore, 2018

By: John R. Wells and Benjamin Weinstock
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:14
ShareBar

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.
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

John R. Wells

Strategy
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • September 2020
    • Faculty Research

    The Indian Premier League, 2020

    By: John R. Wells and Benjamin Weinstock
    • September 2020
    • Faculty Research

    Minerva 2004: Discovery

    By: John R. Wells and Benjamin Weinstock
    • September 2020
    • Faculty Research

    Minerva 2010: Turbulent Times

    By: John R. Wells and Benjamin Weinstock
More from the Authors
  • The Indian Premier League, 2020 By: John R. Wells and Benjamin Weinstock
  • Minerva 2004: Discovery By: John R. Wells and Benjamin Weinstock
  • Minerva 2010: Turbulent Times By: John R. Wells and Benjamin Weinstock
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College