We are excited to announce that Matchstick Ventures Fund III has completed an investment in Improovy. Improovy is a digital marketplace that connects homeowners to vetted painting contractors, providing a seamless end-to-end experience.

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Background: Over the last two years, consumer comfort with digital marketplaces and online job management has skyrocketed. Today, customers demand streamlined, on-demand experiences for everything from grocery delivery to professional services, but the painting industry has lagged behind. 

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In 2021, it was reported that more than half of US households completed either an interior or exterior painting project. But for each of those more than 73 million households, it was difficult to search for, compare, and select one of the 232,000 painting contractors in the United States. Looking through online reviews takes time, messages go unanswered, and even once a contractor is selected, it requires further effort to manage the job and make sure it’s completed. 

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Similarly, painting contractors have difficulty maintaining a consistent stream of business, and struggle with sales, marketing, and customer management. Outside factors such as seasonal demand can make it challenging to employ teams year-round. Once a job is booked, many contractors still manage the details of the job with nothing more technologically advanced than a pen and paper, making it even harder to complete multiple projects at once. 

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Company Specifics: Improovy is an award-winning online marketplace delivering a delightfully easier way to complete projects like house painting quickly and efficiently. With Improovy, homeowners can receive free virtual quotes, and the platform’s matching system quickly connects them with the contractor best suited for their job type and timeline. Improovy also offers a virtual design tool, powered by partnerships with Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, to help homeowners select paint colors and design elements without ever having to leave the comfort of their homes.

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For contractors, Improovy also offers a platform for growing consistent business and managing jobs. Contractors are coached to be better business owners and can use Improovy to track jobs through the platform, manage and strengthen their online reputations, and simplify client interactions. 

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Improovy is led by industry experts who understand both the painting and operations businesses. Andre was a painting contractor for 15 years, starting his first painting business at the age of 19. Carr joined the company after it completed the Techstars Chicago program, and brings his operational experience and expertise with him. Ultimately, Improovy is an operation, organization, and scheduling company for the trades, starting with painting. There is a large market opportunity, and after meeting Andre and Carr during the Techstars Chicago program and following their journey for another year, we are excited to invest.

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