BodyShopBids, an online and mobile platform that enables consumers to solicit custom repair estimates by uploading a photo, announced that it has secured $1 million in series A financing led by OCA Ventures. New World Ventures and Lightbank also participated in the round. Jim Dugan, managing partner of OCA Ventures, and Jeff Maters, vice president of New World Ventures, will join BodyShopBids’ board of directors.
With the announcement, BodyShopBids says it is prepared to roll out its website and mobile app to meet the needs of car owners in major cities around the United States.
Accessible for free via iPhone, Android and the Web, BodyShopBids connects consumers who need auto body repairs with body shops through a bidding system. Consumers upload a photo of their damaged vehicles and receive custom quotes from nearby body shops within 24 hours. A personal BodyShopBids concierge also educates consumers on the repair process. From there, the consumer can choose an estimate and book an appointment with the body shop.
“We recognized an opportunity in Chicago, and it’s an opportunity that exists in cities around the U.S.,” said Brad Weisberg, founder and CEO of BodyShopBids. “The feedback from consumers and body shop owners alike has been incredible, and we are excited to build on our initial success.”
“BodyShopBids is disrupting an industry that’s primed for change,” said Dugan. “BodyShopBids has a strong position as an industry leader, which will enable the company to access and thrive in new markets.”
BodyShopBids launched in June 2011 and announced $250,000 in seed funding from investment firm Lightbank in September. To date, the company has partnered with 275 Chicago-area body shops and processed more than $2.5 million in damage estimates, with plans to expand to Los Angeles and other major cities in early 2012.
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