Geekatoo

Geekatoo operated as an online marketplace for on-demand technology support, connecting consumers with local, vetted technicians for in-home and remote assistance. Founded in 2010 by Christian Shelton and Kevin Davis, the company was established to offer a more convenient and affordable alternative to traditional tech support services. The inspiration came from Davis's frustrating personal experience with a lengthy laptop repair, which highlighted a market need for a faster, more efficient solution.

The platform's business model centered on eliminating the overhead costs of physical storefronts and inventory. Customers would submit a request for services such as computer repair, virus removal, home theater setup, TV mounting, or network issues through Geekatoo's website or app. Local, skills-tested technicians would then bid on the jobs, fostering a competitive pricing environment that could result in savings of up to 75% compared to competitors like Best Buy's Geek Squad. This “Uber of tech support” approach provided a flexible income source for its network of technicians while delivering cost-effective services to consumers.

The company's founders brought relevant experience to the venture. Christian Shelton, who served as Executive Chairman, was previously the Chief of Staff for Public Policy at Sun Microsystems and a graduate of Berkeley, Harvard, and LSE. CEO Kevin Davis had a background that included coding an internal accounting system and reporting for ABC affiliates. Backed by investors including 500 Global and Eric Ries, Geekatoo raised a total of $1.7 million over several funding rounds. By 2016, the company had built a nationwide network of over 7,000 technicians. In May 2016, Geekatoo merged with HelloTech, a Los Angeles-based competitor, to create the largest on-demand, in-home tech support network in the United States. The merger was a strategic move to combine Geekatoo's expansive national network with HelloTech's strong business model and capital, aiming to capture a larger share of the growing smart home and connected device market.

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