Just three months since launching an app that moves buying and selling products and services in the construction and real estate marketplace online, Newport-based startup Dibbs has been recognized as a "Startup of the Year" by Annual American Business Awards.
This week, Dibbs announced the recognition, in which it was named winner of a Bronze Stevie Award in the Startup of the Year category.
According to the AAB, Dibbs was awarded in the Startup Of The Year category for showing its commitment to enhancing the construction industry with its new marketplace app. Dibbs CEO Luke Fleury, said he was thankful for the award, as it demonstrated the team’s hard work ahead, during and after the launch of the app.
“Our focus this year is growing brand awareness and expanding across the US,” he said. “With the success, we have seen thus far in Rhode Island and Mass., we know there is a need for our app, so we want to really focus on growing and enhancing the construction industry across the U.S.”
To that end, Dibbs has raised $2.5 million in angel investments and the company is currently working on raising money for its Series A institutional round.
Since its launch in February, it has grown to 920 users and opened the Dibbs app to Massachusetts.
Fleury said the company is hoping to boost those numbers via a referral program launched in April. Rhode Island residents can win a trip to Las Vegas if they refer 10 tradespeople to the app.
According to Fleury, this is the first of many giveaways Dibbs will launch in an effort to make the app accessible to contractors and suppliers throughout the US.
The giveaway is rolling out in phases, starting with Rhode Island and throughout the New England region. Professionals who want to be notified when the giveaway is in their area can download the app and sign up to be notified when the app is available in their state.
