Compare Cloudware makes it easy for people to find, choose and use the right cloud solution for their specific needs through a unique and powerful comparison engine. Think of hugely successful examples in other sectors like Compare the Market, Trivago, Right Move or even Just Eat. Now, think of a ‘supermarket’ for users and sellers of cloud software and services and you have: Compare Cloudware.
Compare Cloudware: A comparison website for a £6.1 billion market. (www.gov.uk: ‘ICT in the UK Investment Opportunities’ February, 2014).
Take the idea of a comparison website like Compare the Market, Trivago, Just Eat or Right Move. Now, turn it into a ‘super market’ for users and sellers of computer software and services and you have: Compare Cloudware.
Go to comparecloudware.com and you’ll see this market innovation is already a commercial reality.
Compare Cloudware is the first and only dynamic comparison website to the best of our knowledge, that fully satisfies the needs of sellers and buyers of cloud applications and services.
We’ve built the comparison website ; proven the idea; have 120 commercial agreements with sellers including market-leading brands like Skype, Sage and McAfee; and now we’re ready to build on success with an EIS funding round.
What’s unique about Compare Cloudware?
Compare Cloudware has a powerful comparison engine designed, developed and built by our team. In addition to this:
– we translate and simplify features and benefits for buyers
– we make it quick and simple for people to find what’s best for them
– we remove confusion for buyers and accelerate sales for sellers
– we have a strong business model with four revenue streams
We believe Compare Cloudware is the best way for sellers to sell and buyers to buy. It’s independent, authoritative and comprehensive – which means it’s a resource which buyers and sellers will come back to – again and again.
Cloudware is typically a multiple purchase item with repeat business that generates recurring revenue in the form of commissions from sellers (vendors) on an annual basis.
What is cloudware?
If you use eMail or FaceBook, you’re using cloud-enabled services.
Cloud business applications and services include accounting software, project management tools and online meeting facilities. Compare Cloudware has eighteen different categories of Cloudware to choose from.
Today, ‘computers’ are anything from a smartphone to a laptop, a tablet or a desktop pc (even your TV can be a computer). We all have them and they all need applications and services to make them work- whether it’s for personal or business use.
Cloud has revolutionised the way applications and services are delivered: instead of buying them outright and installing them on to a computer, you can now ‘rent’ them as and when you need them – at much lower cost. They’re not using up valuable space on your computer anymore; they are stored centrally and securely ‘in the cloud’.
With Cloudware, automatic updates to the latest version are free. Whether you’re looking to do spreadsheets, use an online meeting service or even try some creative software, the choice of ‘apps’ and services is both exciting and mind-boggling – hence the demand for a free-to-use, independent and comprehensive comparison website.
Compare Cloudware gives you results and choices to suit your needs in less than a minutes;offers free trials; and enables you to start using cloud solutions.
Watch the video ‘What is Cloudware?’ to discover more.
What will further investment achieve?
The Compare Cloudware team are highly experienced in the technology and marketing sector and focussed on achieving business goals related to specific time and money investments. With this next round of funding, we will:
Accelerate transactional revenue through market activation with the small business audience. Ignite alternative revenue through the ‘Cloud Kit’ store/‘Cloud Clinic’Continue to optimise the site (including mobile adaptation) to increase traffic and conversion. Consolidate the position of Compare Cloudware with increased vendor participation and introducing sub-categories. Prepare the Compare Cloudware platform for international markets.
See Investor Summary attachment for more details.
The introduction of applications and services delivered from the cloud has created a market with a global value of $121 billion in 2015 (Cloudtech March 5, 2014)
In the same way that comparison sites like Trivago have disrupted the traditional high street travel agent relationship, Compare Cloudware working towards winning business away from traditional retailers of IT software and services who simply cannot provide a freely available, comprehensive and independent way to help people find, choose and use cloud-enabled applications and services.
With so much choice and the opportunity to save up to 50% compared to traditional software and services, the demand from users is to understand and compare what’s on offer and make informed buying decisions. That demand can only be properly met with a dynamic comparison website.
The market for Cloudware extends from consumers to small and medium size businesses (SMB) to large enterprises. The SMB market is a particularly high-growth sector as shown by some of the following statistics:
For more details on the Cloud market opportunity and competitive landscape, please read the Information Memorandum and Business Plan
The founding team of Compare Cloudware is a group of professionals who have been at the forefront of the IT sector for many years.
Our combined knowledge of the technologies and systems of virtually every major IT provider and frontline market experience has given us the insight and expertise to make Compare Cloudware a highly effective marketplace for both Cloudware users and vendors.
Gary Gould
With over 20 years’ experience in the technology sector, Gary has held senior marketing and commercial leadership positions with a number of global brands including Cisco and Panduit and BT.
Gary has core responsibility for vendor partnerships, commercial policy and corporate sponsorship. He is also a key contact for investor, industry, analyst and media relations for Compare Cloudware.
Andrew Miller
As co-founder and Director of The Rubicon Agency (technology marketing services) Andrew has worked with global brands including AT&T, Cisco and McAfee . He has many years of experience in strategic marketing including senior roles in business and consultancy organisations.
In addition to his operational responsibilities, Andrew leads the strategic direction for Compare Cloudware and is a key interface for partners. Andrew is a co-founder of Compare Cloudware.
Ian Wilson
Ian is co-founder and creative director of The Rubicon Agency and a co-founder of Compare Cloudware. Ian’s experience includes senior creative roles in marketing services. He has created international campaigns for leading technology brands including Xerox, Alcatel Lucent and Cisco.
Ian’s role includes brand, communications and marketing direction for Compare Cloudware.
SALES: Key sales drivers
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CASH: Cash burn rate, Operational cashflow, when will you need to raise the next round?
The target return for an early stage technology opportunity usually sits in the 5-10x range. Unlike single product technology propositions that rely on driving adoption and subscription revenue, Compare Cloudware is a free-to-use market based proposition where there is existing demand and huge growth potential. From our research, technology multiples generally operate in a range of 3-5x depending on growth rate, scalability and the level of annuity business. On that criteria, we believe Compare Cloudware has the potential to exit in three years in the range of £18-30 million. By lighting up all 4 sides of the business model and accelerating international expansion, the exit value could be substantially higher.The Compare Cloudware team believe multiple types of trade buyers could provide a realistic exit opportunity including computer hardware businesses (Dell, HP), eTailers, mainstream comparison websites, telecom services providers and publishers.
For £250 investment, each investor gets a free link to download a free copy of our book: ‘Small Business and The Cloud – What’s the Big Attraction of Cloudware?’ – written by the co-founders of Compare Cloudware.
For a £1000 investment, each investor receives a free printed copy of our book: ‘Small Business and The Cloud – What’s the Big Attraction of Cloudware?’ – written and signed by the co-founders of Compare Cloudware.
For a £5,000 investment, each investor receives an invitation to a ‘Investment Closing’ dinner with the Compare Cloudware team.
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Please visit the HMRC website for further information on EIS tax relief
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