Extended-Warranty Business Gets $238 Million in Funding
A San Francisco company credited with shaking up the extended-warranty business is getting a significant capital infusion. SquareTrade Inc., which sells warranties for electronics products directly to consumers over the Web, said it is raising $238 million from affiliates of the private-equity firm Bain Capital LLC.
The company said it will use the funds to boost marketing so it can further compete against brick-and-mortar retailers that sell extended warranties to customers at their stores. Best Buy Co., for example, offers warranties and repairs through its Geek Squad business.