The Challenge

SimpleTuition, a Boston-based start-up, came to Lucidus with a bright idea—to turn a promising business model and some sketches into a working, online student loan comparison resource for students, families and financial aid professionals. Consumers would be able to enter their loan criteria, and gain access to a multitude of suitable loans. After comparing options, they could then apply for the loan of their choice by clicking through the SimpleTuition site. Lucidus collaborated with SimpleTuition to transform this vision into a prototype and a tangible reality.

The Solution

The SimpleTuition comparison engine required malleable, responsive, cost-effective technology that would allow us to adapt to changes and upgrades quickly as the company wound its way through the venture capital market and ultimately to consumers. It also required a consumer-facing web site that would make using the engine as simple as promised by the client’s name. Joomla content management allowed us to update any part of the site quickly. Lucidus leveraged open-source tools which allowed us to plug in updates as we went, and developed methodical staging and production systems that allowed us to implement each stage with maximum efficiency.

"Lucidus developed our core software and web presence, but they did so much more. They helped us understand what we wanted our business to be—and what it could be."
Kevin Walker, co-founder and CEO, SimpleTuition

The Result

The loan comparison engine and web site developed by Lucidus allowed SimpleTuition to raise capital and bring its bright idea into the marketplace, where it now benefits thousands of students and their families. It was also designed to grow along with SimpleTuition, allowing them to adapt and rework the site according to market changes.