From its headquarters in Ann Arbor, LawnGuru is building a better platform for outdoor services, specifically lawn and snow. It allows customers to get the services they need, when they need them, versus the traditional model where a provider comes out weekly, or at some other set interval, whether or not they need service. By allowing the customer to easily request, skip and pause service, LawnGuru users can save up to 30% each year.
For providers, LawnGuru improves several backend operations. This includes delivering quotes, automated payments, improving route density and tackling customer support. This helps small and midsize landscape businesses focus on the work that actually earns money. And it’s paying off -- the average LawnGuru provider adds $700 to their weekly revenue, and in some cases, much more. This past summer one Michigan provider earned an additional $80K through the platform.
Thanks to adoption by consumers and service providers, LawnGuru has grown its home market in southeast Michigan by over 1100% in the last year. In addition to organic growth, it recently closed a $1 million seed round that provides funding for customer acquisition and marketing. This March LawnGuru will be opening markets in the suburbs of Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Atlanta, Washington DC and Philadelphia.
LawnGuru chose to locate in Ann Arbor in part because of the entrepreneurial resources available in the region. It tapped into Ann Arbor SPARK’s program that helped connect the startup to a strong and evolving tech community.
“The great thing about Ann Arbor is how many entrepreneurs are here, growing successful companies,” explained LawnGuru co-founder Skye Durrant. “It’s inspiring to connect with others who are building amazing products. Being located in Ann Arbor has also helped us pull in some great talent graduating from the nearby universities.”
“Moving to Ann Arbor has been another step forward for LawnGuru,” Durrant added. “It built on a couple of key milestones: Getting into 500 Startups and going through through their accelerator was huge, as was winning the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. Those two achievements along with our traction and vision were key to us raising our seed.”
Offering advice to others who want to grow their business as successfully as LawnGuru, Durrant said, “It comes down to focus and execution. It’s easy to get caught up chasing one opportunity after the next. You’ve got to focus on hitting the goals that you know will move the company forward.”
