Portland software startup EasyHome, co-founded by Nike innovation alums, has been acquired by Kentucky-based Fixle Inc.
EasyHome created an app that can be used by homeowners and real estate professionals to create a digital twin of a home. This means all the home's details, mechanical systems and appliances are entered into the app and then the software can keep track of maintenance. There is also concierge support to help users book repair professionals.
The transaction was an all-equity deal, according to the companies, but further details were not released.
Co-founder and CEO Sean Kennedy along with co-founder and Chief Technology Officer John Coppa will join Fixle full time. Third founder Claire Paris will be an adviser, said Kennedy. Paris also owns Paris Group Realty.
The remaining team was contractors. Kennedy’s new title will be vice president of product and strategy, and Coppa is vice president of engineering.
EasyHome was founded in 2002. The company received early stage funds from investors, including some local backers, Kennedy said. The app first launched in Portland and had hundreds of homeowners using it before the company pushed for a national expansion.
The deal with Fixle came about after Kennedy and the team started evaluating how to reach the business’ next milestones, he said. These discussions included talking to investors and strategic partners.
“We have been looking for ways to really accelerate our growth so that we can support as many homeowners as possible across the country,” said Kennedy. “The experience and connection in the industry the Fixle team brings combined with how perfectly our products complement each other puts us in an incredible position to serve both homeowners and home service professionals at scale moving forward.”
Fixle spun out of insurance giant American Family Insurance earlier this year. The company was incubated by AmFam and counts Dan Reed, managing director and president of American Family Ventures as one of its advisers.
Fixle is building a platform for homeowners, home inspectors, service technicians and property managers to track and manage living spaces. EasyHome’s software will be integrated into the Fixle platform.
“Bringing EasyHome into the Fixle family is a move we're genuinely thrilled about,” said Dave Theus, CEO of Fixle, in a written statement. “This is more than just combining two companies; it's about bringing together EasyHome's creative solutions and deep understanding of what homeowners need with Fixle's technological strength and broad reach across the many home service verticals.”
Kennedy and Coppa are both Nike alums. Kennedy spent 11 years at Nike. His last six years at the footwear giant was in innovation, where his titles included senior director and lead entrepreneur at Nike’s in-house innovation hub Valiant Labs. Coppa spent four years as an entrepreneur within Nike.
They are part of a growing number of founders who have left the Washington County-based company and struck out on their own.
