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Muckle supports ClearCourse with the acquisition of ThinkSmart Software

16th Feb 2024 | Corporate Finance
Man serving a tennis ball

We’re delighted to have advised ClearCourse, a leading provider of industry-specific software and embedded payments for SMEs and targeted enterprises, on the acquisition of ThinkSmart Software (“ThinkSmart”), an independent software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) provider delivering innovative technology for businesses that offer clubs and classes in the UK and Australia as well as other global markets. This strategic acquisition will be integrated as part of ClearCourse’s growing Business Services division.

Award-winning software

Founded in 2008, ThinkSmart is a scheduling and customer management platform for businesses that conduct classes and take bookings. Today, ThinkSmart serves approximately 2,500 customers predominately within the children’s activities sector, offering a user-friendly, intuitive product which helps “class-based” businesses with managing all day-to-day administration. Its award-winning software helps clients across the tennis, swimming, gymnastics, dance, music and sports sectors automate processes so that they can spend more time managing their business and working with their customers. ThinkSmart’s innovative technology streamlines several business admin tasks, including class scheduling, customer management, and communications, as well as invoicing and payment systems.

Market leading technology

Established in London in 2018, ClearCourse is a leading software and embedded payment specialist servicing SMEs and targeted enterprise customers. The group’s vertical software solutions provide essential, market-leading technology to help their customers manage and grow their businesses. Since its inception, the company has undergone rapid growth by acquiring 40 leading software and payments solutions in the market verticals in which it operates: Retail & Hospitality, Golf & Leisure, Business Services and Membership Services. 

Christina Hamilton, ClearCourse’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are extremely pleased to announce ThinkSmart as the latest software business to join our group. We look forward to welcoming the ThinkSmart team, led by founder Andy Leigh and UK Managing Director George Bentley, and working with them to enhance their offering across the growing, class-led activities sector. This investment is a further milestone in the growth of ClearCourse which continues to expand in the UK market as well as internationally.”

Andrew Leigh, Founder and Managing Director of ThinkSmart, commented: “In ClearCourse we have found a likeminded, customer-focused partner that will support a new phase of growth for ThinkSmart. As part of ClearCourse, we will be focused on continuously improving the industry-specific software solutions we offer our customers across the world, as well as looking for opportunities to expand our services.”

Forward-thinking legal support

Legal advice was led by partner Adam Rayner and associate Stephanie Brown in our corporate team. Adam said: “It was a pleasure to assist in this acquisition, the first we have advised ClearCourse on, that will support not only ThinkSmart’s growth but also ClearCourse’s acquisition plans. We are pleased to have advised them and wish them every success with the broad opportunities this acquisition opens up for them.”

For more information on this deal, or if you'd like any corporate advice please get in touch with Adam Rayner on 0191 211 7962 or email [email protected]

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