ClearCourse acquires Bristol-based operational and digital solutions provider Felinesoft

March 9, 2020

London | 09 March 2020 - ClearCourse Partnership LLP (“ClearCourse” or “the Group”), a group of innovative technology companies providing digital services, work-flow solutions, and payments capabilities to the membership, events & bookings, sports & leisure and healthcare sectors, today announces the acquisition of Felinesoft (“the Company”). Felinesoft provides digital and operational solutions for some of the UK’s most established businesses and charities.

Since its foundation in 2001, Felinesoft has built its position as a well-respected industry provider of technology products and digital service solutions, including user experience design, Microsoft Dynamics 365, digital transformation and website and app development. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, its customers have access to in-house Microsoft certified developers offering the highest levels of service across Microsoft’s Dynamics platform and its cloud services. The Company’s continuous improvement model allows it to provide ongoing digital transformation, improving all areas of technology that are relevant to its clients. Felinesoft has worked with an array of recognisable UK businesses, such as Macmillan, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Kennel Club, and Age UK.

The addition of Felinesoft to the Group strengthens ClearCourse’s growing presence in the not-for-profit and CRM industries, increasing the scope of its sector specific integration and cross-sell capabilities. Felinesoft will receive strategic and operational guidance from ClearCourse’s expert team, as well as financial resources to support the expansion of its technology products and its acquisitive ambitions. Additionally, the Company will be able to integrate with proprietary technologies from across the Group, including payments processing capabilities and first-class data validation.

Being part of ClearCourse will give us access to the breadth of operational, strategic and financial support we need to enhance our customer service and the solutions available to our clients.

Ralph Johnson – Managing Director of Felinesoft

Gerry Gualtieri, CEO of ClearCourse, commented: “Felinesoft has achieved a strong market position by offering an excellent level of service and expertise to its notable list of clients. There are clear synergies with our existing Group companies, and they present another valuable opportunity for integration with our range of software solutions across the Group. In partnership with Felinesoft’s accomplished management team and dedicated employees, we look forward to supporting the Company’s continued growth.”

Ralph Johnson, Managing Director of Felinesoft, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the growth and scale we have achieved over the past 19 years. Gerry and the ClearCourse team have demonstrated a great understanding of the sectors we operate in and of the values we have built the business on, empowering companies with the tools to achieve their objectives. Being part of ClearCourse will give us access to the breadth of operational, strategic and financial support we need to enhance our customer service and the solutions available to our clients. We have watched the ClearCourse story evolve and are excited to join them on this journey.”

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FinTech Software and Payments veteran Simon Black joins ClearCourse board

December 11, 2024

11 December 2024, London, UK: ClearCourse, a leading provider of industry-specific software and payments for UK SMEs, is pleased to announce the appointment of FinTech, Software and Payments veteran Simon Black as Non-Executive Director. Simon has a track record of leading technology companies through rapid periods of growth and brings a wealth of experience in strategy, branding, M&A and fundraising. Simon has over three decades of experience in Fintech software and Payments. He is the former CEO of PPRO which he transformed from a German start-up into a global leader in alternative payments, via international expansion and multiple successful funding rounds. Prior to PPRO, Simon was CEO of SagePay, where he led the business to 10x revenue growth. Simon currently advises growth-stage companies and private equity investors on driving innovation, market disruption and long-term growth. This appointment comes at an exciting time for ClearCourse, as the company expands its UK market presence while continuing to provide mission-critical products and services to help customers manage and grow their businesses. Throughout 2024, ClearCourse acquired an additional 4 businesses in ThinkSmart, CSY, Gob2b and Harbour Assist as part of its strategy to build a strong presence in key vertical markets characterised by high digital adoption and establishing itself in the fast-growing online and mobile payments space. Christina Hamilton, CEO of ClearCourse, said: “ I am delighted to welcome Simon to the ClearCourse board at a pivotal stage of our growth journey. He shares our ambition of building the business into a major actor in the embedded fintech space. Simon’s impressive track record of scaling payment businesses will be invaluable in supporting ClearCourse grow further in the UK and beyond and we look forward to working closely with him. ” Simon Black, incoming Non-Executive Director, added: “ I am delighted to be joining the board of ClearCourse, an exciting, innovative business with many opportunities as the high demand for embedded payments from SMBs continues unabated. I have known Christina and the Aquiline team for some time, and I have been impressed by ClearCourse’s rapid growth to date. The Group’s winning combination of deep vertical domain expertise and seamless integrated payments is truly market leading. I look forward to supporting ClearCourse’s continued leadership in attractive key sector verticals. ”

Software and Payments Specialist ClearCourse Acquires Marina and Harbour Software Provider Harbour Assist

October 17, 2024

London, 17 October 2024 – ClearCourse, a leading provider of industry-specific software and embedded payment solutions for SMEs and targeted enterprises, announces the acquisition of Harbour Assist. Founded in 2013 and based in Cornwall, Harbour Assist is a leading cloud-based marina management system that integrates customer relations, communications, asset management, invoicing and reporting into a single, easy-to-use software package. Harbour Assist serves a diverse range of marina and harbour clients across the UK, Canada, Fiji, Mexico, New Zealand, US, Australia, and the Middle East. Their clients include independent operators and multi-site organisations, Trust Ports and public sector such as Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour, Lakeland Leisure Estates, Fowey Harbour, Port of Ramsgate. Harbour Assist’s reach extends to some of the world’s most prominent marinas and harbours. Harbour Assist’s industry-specific software focuses on enhancing administrative efficiency, improving customer service, and providing robust tools for managing moorings, berths, billing, and communication with boat owners. With ClearCourse, the platform will gain access to embedded payment tools as well as additional development resources, enhancing its capability to deliver a greater quantity of features at pace. Christina Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer of ClearCourse, said : “We are delighted to welcome Harbour Assist into the ClearCourse Group. As a market leader and disrupter in marine and harbour software, Harbour Assist acquisition underscores our aim for success in 2024. This collaboration will not only enhance the service, and solutions offered to Harbour Assist’s customers but also provide them with access to a broader range of resources and expertise. We eagerly anticipate working with Nick, Graham, and the team to explore new markets, improve operational efficiencies, and deliver an integrated offering to our customers.” Nick Gill and Graham Laidler Co-founders of Harbour Assist said : “It’s very exciting to join the ClearCourse group at this crucial stage in our growth journey. For over a decade, we've earned our reputation by delivering mission-critical software designed and developed by a team of maritime professionals. Leveraging years of practical experience and ongoing customer feedback. Partnering with ClearCourse enables us to expand further and future proof our business by adding a range of innovative and efficient payments solutions, something we are incredibly excited about.” Harbour Assist will be part of the ClearCourse Sports and Leisure division. This announcement follows the recent acquisitions of B2B eCommerce platform GOb2b and retail EPOS solutions provider CSY. With these strategic additions, ClearCourse is poised to leverage enhanced capabilities and resources, driving innovation and delivering superior features to its users. Established in London in 2018, ClearCourse is a leading software and embedded payment specialist. The group’s vertical software solutions provide essential, industry-specific technology to help their customers manage and grow their businesses. Since inception, the company has undergone rapid growth by acquiring over 40 leading software and payments solutions in its core market verticals which are all underpinned by ClearCourse Payments and Services. The terms of the deal are undisclosed.