HelloTech Launches In-home Tech Support and Tech Sales in LA
May 26 2015 - 11:45AM
Business Wire
Founded by former Apple and Disney Exec;
Staffed by Trained College Students
Adds $2 Million Funding, Bringing Total Raised
to $4.5M
HelloTech, an on demand in-home tech support and technology
sales service delivered by a vetted and trained college student
workforce, today launched its service in Los Angeles.
In addition, HelloTech announced that it has raised an
additional $2 million from tier 1 investors that include
Collaborative Fund, Baroda Ventures, Greycroft Partners, and
Silicon Valley Bank. These backers join Accel Partners, Upfront,
CrossCut ventures, Amplify.LA, among others.
“We are thrilled to announce today the availability of HelloTech
in Los Angeles,” said Richard Wolpert, co-founder and CEO of
HelloTech. “With the ‘Internet of Things’ more cool technology is
available for the home than ever before. This is both a very
exciting and potentially very confusing time for homeowners.
HelloTech will take the confusion out of the equation.”
Several trends have occurred over the last several years which
create a massive market opportunity for HelloTech. The number of
retail stores that sell technology has declined dramatically, with
the closing of almost all pure technology chains except Best Buy.
At the same time, the amount of new, interesting and cost effective
technology for the home has exploded. Wireless music systems,
Internet controlled thermostats, digital door locks, video
surveillance systems and smart home products have become common
features in today’s homes. HelloTech offers tech products from
partners that include Sonos, Nest, Belkin, Linksys, Lifelock iDrive
and a growing list of others.
Aging Boomers and Gen X homeowners love technology but they need
help installing and maintaining that technology. At the same time,
college students have grown up with new technology and the Internet
and have a natural affinity for both.
“At HelloTech we curate, then train the best college students on
both technology and customer service and match them to our customer
base which will largely be made up of people in their late 40’s and
beyond,” said Richard Wolpert. “We match college students who need
high paying jobs to pay growing educational expenses with customers
who need in-home, on demand support at a reasonable price. It’s a
win-win for our customers and our technicians.”
HelloTech has been operating a “friends and family” trial in
West Los Angeles since early April. As of today, the service goes
live in the 7 mile radius around UCLA; an area larger than the city
of San Francisco. To celebrate its launch, HelloTech is offering,
for a limited time, a “first hour free” of in home support (a $79
value). Services range from Wi-Fi connectivity, viruses/slow
machines, printer issues, consultation on the purchase of new
technologies, training and more. Visit www.hellotech.com for full
details.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150526005888/en/
HelloTechRichard Wolpert, 1-888-982-4410press@hellotech.com