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
C2FO accesses $30M investment with World Bank-backed IFC to expand KC firm’s working capital platform
A just-announced capital infusion for Leawood-built C2FO reflects a shared commitment with global partners to boosting jobs and strengthening economic opportunities — notably for micro, small and medium enterprises in emerging markets worldwide. The $30 million funding round features investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and existing…
Park capping I-670 gets an official name: South Loop project to honor longtime Republican bridge-builder
Kansas City’s high-profile South Loop Project — a proposed sustainable urban park capping a portion of I-670 — now has a name that pays homage to a leader who played a key role in launching the project: Roy Blunt Luminary Park. “As a working title, the South Loop Project has served us well,” said Jeff…
Not just a pet project: Why this KC e-commerce team adopted a dog supplement brand as its own
The Morgans — the family behind Marknology, a bootstrapped digital marketing firm specializing in Amazon sales — are taking a dog supplement brand that they built as a client to the next level now as owners, they shared. Waggedy — veterinarian-formulated supplements to keep dogs healthy and active, launched by Ben Bellinson in 2015 in…
She’s the mixologist of melt: Jess Priemer blends a cocktail of Kansas City into candle scents
With niche blends like 18th & Vine (whiskey, tobacco, and rose) and KC BBQ (hickory, oak, and BBQ sauce), Jess Priemer evokes memories and local landmarks with the lighting of each wick. Her candles are the best part of what makes Kansas City uniquely home, she said. “I love this city, like everybody else around…