Problem: DIGGS faced cash flow pressure and an unreliable lender just as it needed to scale inventory for peak sales.

Solution: Clearco refinanced the existing loan and provided fast, non-dilutive capital to fuel inventory growth and stabilize operations.

A Founder’s Fight to Fund the Future of Pet Care

For DIGGS founder Zel Crampton, building a luxury pet brand wasn’t just a business opportunity; it was personal. After adopting his dog Louise, Crampton was frustrated by what he found: pet products that were ugly, unsafe, and uninspiring.

“I noticed when I went to buy pet supplies... there was a big gap in the market. Everything was private label. No design. No safety. Just bad products,” says Crampton.

So he created DIGGS, an award-winning DTC pet brand known for premium crates, modern pet accessories, and a relentless focus on pet safety and design. DIGGS hit product-market fit with the Revol Crate in 2019, and growth exploded. But scaling brought a familiar challenge: inventory planning pain and cash flow constraints.

“2020 rolled around, and it exploded. We grew 400% during the pandemic,” Crampton says. “And 500% in 2021.”

 DIGGS originally funded operations through a mix of equity and debt. But when their lender hit turbulence in 2024, DIGGS needed fast, founder-friendly financing to refinance and avoid disruptions during a critical sales cycle.

DIGGS Utilizes Clearco’s Invoice Funding 

When DIGGS needed a new financing partner, Crampton turned to Clearco’s Invoice Funding solution, a non-dilutive, data-driven alternative to traditional lending. Having followed Clearco since its early days on Dragon’s Den, he was already familiar with the company’s DTC-friendly approach.

“In 2024, our primary lender faced significant challenges,” says Crampton. “Clearco stepped in at exactly the right moment, guiding us through a smooth transition. Their timely support ensured continuity for our business, and since then, we’ve built a strong and valuable partnership.”

With Clearco’s help, DIGGS submitted invoices from its previous line, unlocking trapped cash. Clearco then provided strategic refinancing alongside fresh working capital, solving two problems at once: reducing financial risk while enabling critical inventory purchases.

“Clearco’s team has been incredible - thoughtful, knowledgeable, and fully committed to supporting brands like ours,” Crampton adds. “We deeply value the partnership and greatly appreciate the leadership and support of CEO Andrew Curtis.”

See how Clearco can help your brand scale 

Funding Peak Season Expansion 

With Clearco’s help, DIGGS avoided financing friction and kept operations running smoothly during a high-stakes sales season. More importantly, it unlocked new capacity to reinvest in growth and product innovation.

“We’re creating everything from scratch. Our products are designed like premium home goods - built with intention, safety, and design in mind,” Crampton says.

Today, DIGGS is expanding in retail, optimizing product lines, and building a more scalable foundation without relying on slow-moving lenders or sacrificing equity.

“Clearco helped us at a critical moment,” says Crampton. “They allowed us to focus on our vision, not on financing headaches.”

Scale Smarter… Like DIGGS

DIGGS didn’t wait for traditional financing to catch up. They partnered with Clearco to fund their next growth phase.

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