Let’s talk about something real for a second: credit. The silent gatekeeper that decides whether you’re in the VIP lounge or standing outside in the rain. And guess what? It’s broken. But while most are out here patching potholes, Bloom Credit is rebuilding the road.
Founded back in 2016, straight out of Chicago’s 20 N Wacker Drive, Bloom Credit has been on a mission. Not some fluffy, PR-perfect mission, but a real one: fixing the mess that is consumer credit data. You ever try pulling a report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion? Yeah, it’s like herding cats in a thunderstorm. Bloom said no thanks to the chaos. They built an API platform that ties all three together, letting businesses actually do something with credit data, launch products, # report payments, and create credit experiences that don’t make you want to flip a table.
And let’s not pretend this is just about data. It’s about accuracy. About fairness. About the 12 million Americans who’ve had their lives stalled because their credit reports look like they’ve been written by a toddler with a crayon. Christian Widhalm, CEO and former CRO at LendKey, isn’t here for the status quo. He teamed up with Matt Harris, now Executive Chairman, to turn Bloom Credit from an idea into a force. And with Mike Esler (CTO), Matt Keleshian (COO), Mike Bunkers (Partnerships), Christa Degnan (Chief Product Officer), and Tushar Mukhija (Strategy), they’ve built more than a team, they’ve built a squad that gets it.
So why are we talking now? Because Bloom Credit just locked down $10.5 million, yes, million, with Crosslink Capital leading the charge, backed by Allegis Capital, CT Innovations, LLC, and Commerce Ventures. That puts them at $34.5 million total raised. And they’re not buying ping pong tables with it. This is about expanding their tech, scaling the team, and doubling down on what matters: getting credit right. Real-time reporting. Alternative data (rent, utilities, stuff that actually shows who you are). And helping the "credit invisible," 40% of Americans, by the way, step into the light.
Let’s not forget the wins: Best in Show at Finovate Spring 2024 Data Innovation Award from Tearsheet, and a spot in the American Fintech Council. Their Bloom+ service? Already making moves with TransUnion and credit unions like Inspire FCU and even the heavyweight Navy Federal Credit Union.
Bloom isn’t just a name, it’s a statement. Growth, clarity, something new from something overlooked. The system’s flawed. They know it. And they’re not here to play nice. They’re here to change the game from the inside out. Because sometimes, fixing the future means going back to the roots and planting something better.
Let’s connect and keep the momentum going across the tech ecosystem. Whether you’re a founder shaping the future, a leader driving change, a VC backing bold ideas, or an investor spotting the next big thing—together, we’re pushing boundaries. Proud to be building the future with you.
Let’s connect on LinkedIn and keep the conversation going.