Type Private Founded 2009 | Industry eCommerce | |
 | ||
Key people Robin Smith (CEO), Kenneth Knoll (COO) Headquarters Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Parent organization Crawford Innovative Ventures, LLC | ||
WeGoLook® is mobile technology company featuring a crowdsourced platform of 30,000+ agents (known as “Lookers®”) that complete on-demand field services, including inspections and custom tasking. Lookers collect field data, photos, and video via the WeGoLook mobile app or complete custom tasking, such as item pickup, delivery and document research. WeGoLook specializes in verifying autos, properties, boats, heavy equipment, antiques, electronics, furniture, RV’s and other assets. WeGoLook has expanded to international markets, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
Contents
- Wegolook review the easiest solution for remote property inspections
- History
- Services
- How it works
- Financing
- Auto Inspections
- Partnership With eBay Motors
- Finance Industry
- Partnership With Crowdseekr
- Acquisition By Crawford CO
- Awards Recognition
- References
WeGoLook started as a way for people to verify things listed on eBay, Craigslist, and online dating sites (Match.com) were accurately portrayed. WeGoLook still performs tasks like that for consumers, but it has also evolved into an enterprise-level inspection service for businesses ranging from real estate firms and insurance companies to banks. The company is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and run by Robin Smith (CEO), and Kenneth Knoll (COO).
In 2017, Crawford & Company®, the world's largest publicly listed independent provider of claims management solutions to insurance companies and self-insured entities, acquired a majority interest in WeGoLook.
Wegolook review the easiest solution for remote property inspections
History
WeGoLook was founded in 2009 by Robin Smith, Mat Smith, and Mark Caywood. In 2010, WeGoLook had two employees and 7,000 Lookers. The company was self-funded, with no investors or debt. It also received a $100,000 “proof-of-concept” award from i2E, INC, a non-profit corporation that supports Oklahoma entrepreneurs.
In 2011, Chuck Wepner, the boxer who inspired the “Rocky” movie series, partnered with WeGoLook, speaking in several interviews about consumer fraud and appearing in public events on behalf of the company. By 2011, WeGoLook had also expanded services to the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
In 2011 and 2012, the company formed several partnerships with other companies interested in fraud prevention, including Escrow.com, auction site Proxibid, Assetbuyer.com, Innovative Funding Solutions, and Scam Detector. In 2013, WeGoLook received SSAE 16 SOC 1 certification, an industry standard for data security. By that year, the company launched WeGoLook PRO offering enterprise solutions to corporate clients.
In 2014, WeGoLook released the WeGoLook App for iOS and Android. WeGoLook initially crowdsourced the project through Appirio. The WeGoLook mobile application allows Lookers to securely complete on-site inspections through mobile device including taking photos within the app and transmitting dynamic data.
WeGoLook received $1.75 million in Series A Angel Investment led by i2E, INC in 2014. Among the investors was Tech Coast Angels and advisement from Dave Berkus.
The Journal Record named WeGoLook as Innovator of the Year in 2015 for their custom inspection and tasking service using crowdsourcing technology to connect online shoppers with people who can inspect the items they are browsing online and send them a report, complete with photographs.
In 2016, after 300% YoY growth, WeGoLook was named #472 on the Inc. (magazine) 5000 List of the fastest-growing private companies in America. WeGoLook was also recognized locally by receiving the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber's Metro50 award for being one of the top 5 fastest growing companies in the Oklahoma City Metro.
Services
WeGoLook performs inspection services for any item, including.
WeGoLook also offers custom-tasking services, such as:
How it works
Customers choose the type of "Look" they need, specify the location and contact information of the seller/owner. Upon ordering a Look, WeGoLook dispatches a "Looker" to physically inspect the item, property, person or complete customized tasking. Looker inspectors are independent contractors who personally visit the item in question, record details, and assemble a report. Lookers can perform same-day services, and can also handle custom tasks. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
WeGoLook specializes in enterprise solutions servicing financial institutions, insurance companies, heavy equipment brokers, medical companies, and more by providing the following solutions: The company develops customizable templates for enterprise clients to meet specific data requirements.
Co-founder and CEO, Robin Smith stated: "We're involved in the leading edge of a true paradigm shift in how companies are using crowdsourcing. And with the variety of services we can provide, companies can hire just one vendor now instead of five to perform multiple tasks within their industry."
WeGoLook inspects items listed on eBay, Craigslist or other auction sites prior to purchase; they verify vacation rental properties on sites like Airbnb, HomeAway, or complete custom tasking such as picking up recently purchased items and delivering them to a local shipper such as UPS or FedEx.
Financing
WeGoLook received interest from more than 35 investment firms.
In October 2014, WeGoLook secured $2.75 million in external capital as part of its Series A fundraising round. Additionally, it raised $1.5 million, led by i2E, bringing WeGoLook’s Series A round to a total of $4.35 million.
In XXX 2017, Tech Coast Angels invested $100,000 from its ACE Fund II. Tech Coast Angel’s ACE Fund II members eventually received a 7.8x return on their over $200,000 investment when WeGoLook was sold in XXXX 2017.
Auto Inspections
WeGoLook provides auto inspection services including vehicle identification number verification, odometer readings, verification of makes and models, photos of exteriors and address verification.
Partnership With eBay Motors
Auto services represent approximately 60% of WeGoLook’s business. In March, 2016, WeGoLook formed a partnership with eBay Motors. Through WeGoLook, eBay Motors offers on-site inspections on any car, motorcycle, RV, powersport vehicle or boat in the U.S.
Finance Industry
WeGoLook is innovating within the financial sector by delivering data on-demand through API integration. This access to data delivers a 67% faster turnaround time.
Partnership With Crowdseekr
In July 2016, WeGoLook partnered ith Oklahoma City-based real estate tech startup CrowdSeekr.com to offer commercial property inspection reports to CrowdSeekr’s investors.
Acquisition By Crawford & CO
In January 2017, Crawford & Co acquired the majority stake in WeGoLook, in a deal valued at $36.1m. Crawford said it would expedite claims processing by using a mobile workforce for inspections. The acquisition will allow WeGoLook to expand to more than 70 countries. The acquisition also gives Crawford an 85% stake in WeGoLook .
Crawford & Co’s acquisition of WeGoLook is the first acquisition made under Crawford Innovative Ventures, LLC, an entity formed by Crawford & Co to invest in strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
Awards & Recognition
WeGoLook was named a 2016 Metro 50 by the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce http://www.okcchamber.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=2016Metro50.
In 2016, WeGoLook was included in Inc. Magazine’s list of the 5000 fastest-growing companies in America.