Personal concierge startup Handled, a joint venture between RevUnit and UniGroup, has been fully acquired by UniGroup.
Launched in 2019, Handled is an app-based moving company that provides quotes, bookings, digital inventories and home services from a network of moving, packing, storage, removal, cleaning and repair professionals. Handled has facilitated approximately 2,000 moves across 95 markets since its launch, according to a company release. Specifically, the Handled website lists 1,776 local moves, 1,843 services booked and 112 services locations since the company’s beginning.
RevUnit, the Bentonville-based data and technology company, partnered with Handled in 2019 to develop its AI and machine-learning technology. This partnership resulted in the “personal concierge” booking platform that eliminated in-person appointments.
Being acquired by UniGroup will enable Handled to scale up its booking platform “to an even larger scale,” according to the release.
“Handled was poised for growth from the beginning because of our focus on creating a modern moving experience for customers,” Handled CEO and UniGroup chief experience officer Seth Waite said in a statement. “The technology we created alongside RevUnit will be repackaged as digital tools for members of the UniGroup network, providing a digital-first process — including contactless booking and payment — to their customers. We couldn’t be prouder of the continued growth and the opportunity to further innovate the digital experience when it comes to moving.”
UniGroup, a Missouri-based transportation company, is the parent company of United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit, both mainstays of the moving and relocation industries. According to its corporate website, between United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit, UniGroup oversees one in three professional interstate movies.
“Moving is stressful enough on its own,” RevUnit co-founder and CEO Michael Paladino said. “Our goal in this joint venture was to develop a digital product that eliminated the confusion and wasted time that often comes with finding and booking movers. We’re always excited to form partnerships that drive innovation and we were confident in the power of RevUnit and Handled right from the start.”
Currently, the Handled platform is not accepting new reservations. The Handled website states that the company will be “upgrading our concierge booking experience” and asks that customers visit United Van Lines or Mayflower Transit for quotes.
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