Tech roundup: Austin startups raise over $30M, Vista shares plans for $12B fund, and more

by Kelly O'Halloran
May 24, 2018
ojo labs austin
photo provided by ojo labs

OJO Labs raises $20.5M Series B

OJO Labs, the Austin startup behind a conversational AI used to qualify real estate leads, announced last Friday that is has raised $20.5 million from investors. Austin-based VCs Silverton Partners and LiveOak Venture Partners led the Series B. Realogy Holdings Corp., Royal Bank of Canada, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures and ServiceMaster also participated in the round. The funding will be used for hiring. [Built In Austin]

 

treehouse greentech
photo via shutterstock

TreeHouse harvests $7.5M from investors

Almost exactly one year after raising $7.6 million from investors, TreeHouse has raised an additional $7.5 million, according to an SEC filing with the state. One investor led the round, which brings TreeHouse’s total funding to over $45 million since its 2011 launch. The greentech home improvement company did not issue a statement. [FormDs]

 

pensa systems
photo via shutterstock

Pensa Systems closes $2.2M seed funding

Pensa Systems raised a $2.2 million seed round this week led by ATX Seed Ventures. The startup launched in 2016 and develops automated inventory solutions for retail clients. ZX Ventures, Mick Mountz and Yechiam Yemini also participated in the round. The funding will be used toward product development efforts and to support market demand. [Press Release]

 

indeed austin office
photo provided by indeed

Indeed announces major Austin expansion

Last week, job search platform Indeed announced extensive hiring plans throughout Austin. The company plans to add up to 3,000 new roles locally and open two new office locations. The first of the two will open at The Domain, and the second will take up the top 10 floors of the new downtown development Block 71, at 6th and Lavaca Streets. The Block 71 location will replace Indeed’s existing downtown office. [Built In Austin]

 

bestow life insurance
photo via shutterstock

Digital life insurance startup Bestow plans Austin office following funding news

Bestow, a Dallas-based insurance technology startup, raised a $15 million Series A round of funding this week. As part of its funding plans, Bestow will open an Austin office and add 10 to 20 new local roles to its existing staff. The company launched in 2016 and currently supports customers in Texas and Utah with a national launch set for the near future. [Press Release]

 

liveoak venture partners
photo via shutterstock

LiveOak Venture Partners makes 2 new appointments

Austin-based LiveOak Venture Partners made two key hires this week, adding Mike Marcantonio as principal and promoting Mason Rathe from intern to senior associate. Marcantonio and Rathe mark LiveOak’s first additions to the team outside of the three founding partners. The two will focus on securing new investments and supporting LiveOak’s existing portfolio of early-stage startups. [Press Release]

 

phunware
photo provided by built in 

Phunware names Barbary Brunner as new CMO

Barbary Brunner has left her role as CEO of the Austin Technology Council to join Phunware as its CMO. Brunner brings 25 years of experience working in the tech sector to Phunware’s executive circle. Prior to Phunware and ATC, Brunner served as CMO for Experian’s PriceGrabber business and Yahoo Media. She was also CPO for MediaNews Group, director of global planning for Microsoft’s MSN business and executive producer for SierraOnline. [Press Release]

 

vista equity
photo via shutterstock

Vista Equity shares plans for $12B software buyout fund

Austin-based Vista Equity Partners, a technology-focused investment firm, announced plans for its seventh fund totaling $12 billion. This fund follows last year’s $11 billion fund, which the firm used toward software acquisitions and investments. [Texas Tech Pulse]

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