Lula partners with Platinum Realty to help home buyers, sellers find quality contractors
October 31, 2018 | Elyssa Bezner
New homeowners — and even those selling — need contractors, said Bo Lais. It’s a reality understood by Platinum Realty, a new partner for home services tech startup Lula.
“Lula is really excited about assisting Platinum Realty agents throughout that process because new home owners are constantly asking their real estate agents who they should use when they need something done around the house, whatever the case may be,” said Lais, founder and CEO of Overland Park-based Lula. “We’re being trusted by Platinum Realty to be that go-to partner for them and their agents so that whenever contractors are needed, we’re there to fill that void for them.”
Lula — an app-based offering that directs consumers to quality contract professionals, upfront pricing, and same-day services for homeowner’s needs — plans to use the relationship with the real estate firm to expand it service throughout Northwest Arkansas and St. Louis, he said.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to offer our agents a higher level of service,” said Scott DeNeve, founder and CEO of Platinum Realty. “As a company, we have been finding ways to leverage technology for the benefit of real estate agents since our beginnings in 2005. We see this partnership as another way we can support our agents’ success.”
Lula’s app launched in Kansas City in November 2017 with the platform working to raise funds from investors since founding in January 2016. The company reported a $420,000 funding round from Kansas City area investors in February.
Platinum Realty is one of the fastest-growing companies in Kansas City, Lais said. And with both Northwest Arkansas and St. Louis easily reachable — coupled with existing relationships with investors in those areas — the expansion seemed like an obvious next step, he added.
“Northwest Arkansas is actually a really fast growing area, but it is going to be the smallest market that we’re in, so I’m going to test that market and see what kind of results we get,” said Lais.
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
He wanted a dress shoe as comfortable as bare feet; How Joey Ahearn is reimagining wingtips to boots one step at a time
A newly unboxed, Kansas City-laced premium shoe company offers a single promise: to make often-uncomfortable men’s dress shoes healthy to wear — without stomping out fashion. “I grew up wearing Converse and Vans and socks and lacing really tight every day,” recalled Joey Ahearn, a physical therapy assistant, as well as founder and CEO of Free…
Moss-backed design studio nurtures nature indoors with sustainable pieces ‘neither living nor dead’
Green statement pieces across Kansas City’s Midtown and Crossroads neighborhoods — from Westside Flats to the spas at The Laya Center and the herb dispensary at Fresh Karma — boast just a snapshot of the story behind the mossy growth of The Fat Plant Society. The eye-catching biophilic designs — which have the appearance of a…
A test of Fit Truk’s core strength: People assume it’s a franchise, mobile gym owner says
One of Hailee Bland Walsh’s biggest affirmations came in the form of a question: Is Fit Truk a franchise? “As someone who has built businesses from the ground up, that is very validating and a huge compliment,” said Bland Walsh, co-founder of the fully-equipped outdoor gym truck, as well as the owner of City Gym…
Demo Day: UMKC E-Scholars partners with KC Arts Institute for more authentic entrepreneurial representation, director says
Art and entrepreneurship so often go hand-in-hand, noted Alex Krause Matlack. “Many artists will inevitably become entrepreneurs because they can create their own brand or business to showcase their craft,” explained Krause Matlack, the director of Entrepreneurship Scholars (E-Scholars) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. “This semester, E-Scholars has a new partnership with Kansas City…