Startup Resilience: How Clutch Bounced Back from Near-Collapse

In this captivating episode of the Startup CEO Show, host Mark MacLeod sits down with Dan Park, co-founder and CEO of Clutch, to discuss the rollercoaster journey of building Canada's leading online used car marketplace. Park shares the highs and lows of Clutch's growth, from rapid expansion fueled by venture capital to a near-death experience that forced massive layoffs. He offers a candid look at how Clutch weathered the storm, pivoted to profitability, and emerged stronger on the other side.

Park dives deep into Clutch's mission to disrupt the traditional used car buying experience in Canada by offering full transparency, reconditioning every vehicle, and allowing customers to complete the entire purchase online. He explains how Clutch's vertically integrated model and focus on customer experience sets it apart in an industry not known for trust or convenience. Listeners will gain valuable insights into building a venture-scale business in a mature market, balancing growth with unit economics, and staying motivated through extreme challenges.

The conversation also explores key lessons Park brought from his time leading Uber Eats Canada, including the importance of operational focus and rapid iteration. His perspective on fundraising cycles, investor expectations, and navigating macro headwinds will resonate with many founders.

Don't miss Park's inspiring story of turning setbacks into comebacks - tune in now to the Startup CEO Show.

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Since 1999, I have sat at the right-hand side of the leaders of high growth technology companies as either a CFO, VC or deal maker. I served as CFO for software companies including Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) and Freshbooks. As a CFO I experienced outright failures, wildly profitable exits, and everything in between.

I was a General Partner in Real Ventures, Canada's largest and most active seed stage fund. My investments there include the fund's largest cash on cash and highest IRR returns to date. Most recently, I founded SurePath Capital Partners the leading investment bank for SMB SaaS companies where we did hundreds of millions in financing and exit transactions.

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkmacleod/

Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/