OfferUp, a company based in Bellevue, Washington, recently announced a partnership with Thumbtack to expand beyond used goods and into the realm of home services. This new marketplace will connect consumers with local home repair and maintenance businesses, offering a one-stop-shop for all their local needs. CEO Todd Dunlap expressed excitement about this new venture, stating that it is a natural extension of what OfferUp already offers. The company plans to add “direct posts” in the future, which will likely be outside of Thumbtack’s current listings. OfferUp faces competition in this space from other companies such as TaskRabbit, Angi, and Handy.
Thumbtack’s vice president of business development, Michael Kim, highlighted the benefits of the partnership, stating that it will connect OfferUp shoppers with Thumbtack’s community of 300,000 local service professionals for any job they need to be done. This collaboration will provide consumers with a wide range of options for home services, whether it’s moving to a new home or enhancing their landscaping. OfferUp’s entry into the home services sector marks a strategic move to expand its offerings and cater to a broader range of consumer needs.
Founded in 2011, OfferUp competes with other online marketplaces like Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook. The company facilitates 30 million transactions on its platform annually and is currently ranked No. 3 on the GeekWire 200 list of Pacific Northwest startups. OfferUp generates revenue from advertisements and its premium service. In 2022, the company introduced job listings with the launch of OfferUp Jobs in its mobile app, expanding its services beyond just buying and selling goods.
In a letter posted by CEO Todd Dunlap at the beginning of 2024, he acknowledged that many local businesses were using OfferUp to promote their inventory to potential customers in their communities. Dunlap assured users that the company is committed to enhancing accounts specifically designed for businesses while ensuring that local-to-local transactions remain seamless. He emphasized that OfferUp is dedicated to bringing more local businesses onto the platform without compromising the core experience for individuals looking to connect in their communities. The company is focused on removing any friction from these transactions while expanding its efforts to support local businesses.
OfferUp raised $120 million in March 2020 and acquired rival Letgo, further solidifying its position in the online marketplace space. With its recent expansion into home services and continued efforts to support local businesses, OfferUp is poised to become a comprehensive platform for consumers looking to buy, sell, and now, access a wide range of home services. By partnering with Thumbtack and incorporating job listings into its app, OfferUp is demonstrating its commitment to meeting the diverse needs of its users and creating a more robust marketplace ecosystem.
