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Tag: marketplace

  • Airbnb says a third of its customer support is now handled by AI in the US and Canada | TechCrunch

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    Airbnb says its custom-built AI agent is now handling roughly a third of its customer support issues in North America, and it’s preparing to roll out the feature globally. If successful, the company believes that in a year’s time, more than 30% of its total customer support tickets will be handled by AI voice and chat in all the languages where it also employs a human customer service agent.

    “We think this is going to be massive because not only does this reduce the cost base of Airbnb customer service, but the quality of service is going to be a huge step change,” CEO Brian Chesky said during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call this week. This seems to suggest he believes the AI would do a better job than its human counterparts in resolving some issues.

    The company also touted its recent hire of CTO Ahmad Al-Dahle, poached from Meta for his AI expertise, and its plans to create an AI-native experience.

    With his guidance, Chesky said that Airbnb was poised to introduce an app that doesn’t just search for you, but one that “knows you.”

    “It will help guests plan their entire trip, help hosts better run their businesses, and help the company operate more efficiently at scale,” Chesky explained, adding that’s why Airbnb brought Al-Dahle on board.

    “Ahmad is one of the world’s leading AI experts. He spent 16 years at Apple, and most recently led the generative AI team at Meta that built the Llama models. He’s an expert at pairing massive technical scale with world-class design, which is exactly how we’re going to transform the Airbnb experience,” Chesky noted.

    Like other businesses poised for disruption by AI, Airbnb’s leadership is pushing the idea that it has a unique database and product that other AI chatbots can’t replicate.

    “A chatbot doesn’t have our 200 million verified identities or our 500 million proprietary reviews, and it can’t message the hosts, which 90% of our guests do,” Chesky told analysts during the earnings call. Instead, he pitched the idea of layering AI over the Airbnb experience, which he claimed would help to accelerate growth.

    The company forecast revenue growth would be in the “low double digits” this year, after pulling in $2.78 billion in the fourth quarter, above estimates of $2.72 billion. This quarter, it expects revenue of $2.59 billion to $2.63 billion, above Wall Street forecasts of $2.53 billion.

    Investors still wanted to know if AI platforms could be a risk in the long-term, assuming they moved into the short-term rentals market. Chesky, however, pushed back at that idea, saying that Airbnb isn’t just the consumer-facing app; it’s also the host app, the customer service, and the protections it offers, like insurance and user verifications.

    “We’ve built this over 18 years. We handle more than $100 billion in payments through the platform,” he said.

    Meanwhile, AI chatbots serve a function similar to search, in that they deliver top-of-funnel traffic, he noted. That traffic also converts at a higher rate than traffic from Google, Chesky pointed out, suggesting that the shift to AI would benefit Airbnb.

    The company is already using AI to power its search, with the feature now enabled for a “very small percentage” of Airbnb’s traffic, while it experiments with making its search more conversational. Later, the company plans to integrate sponsored listings within search.

    While Spotify this week told investors its best developers hadn’t written a single line of code since December, thanks to AI, Airbnb offered a more high-level metric on its own internal AI adoption. The company said that 80% of its engineers now use AI tools, and it’s working to get that to 100% soon.

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    Sarah Perez

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  • Five things to know about the Affordable Care Act enhanced subsidies

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    The cost of health insurance is set to surge for millions of Americans under the Affordable Care Act at the start of the new year without the extension of expanded tax credits.The expanded subsidies were at the center of the 42-day government shutdown that ended in November. Now just days away from the new year, premiums are set to increase without an extension or resolution from Congress.The Get the Facts Data Team analyzed and aggregated statistics to know ahead of the rise in premiums in the new year.Premiums could rise on average 114%Premiums would more than double if the tax subsidies were to expire, according to an analysis from KFF. In addition to the potential ending of the subsidies, insurance rates are projected to rise across marketplace plans and employer-provided insurance.A one-person household with an annual income of $25,000 – a little more than 1.5 times the federal poverty level – is estimated to go from paying a maximum $100 out of pocket annually to $1,168.They would pay a maximum of less than $98 a month — 10 times more than the previous payment of less than $9 a month.The interactive below shows how the maximum out-of-pocket rates for benchmark plans may change if expanded subsidies expire for one, two and four-person households at various incomes. Estimates were calculated using maximum out-of-pocket rates from KFF published by the IRS, along with 2025 federal poverty level data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the 48 contiguous states plus D.C.The tool is not intended to calculate an individual’s actual payments. Healthcare.gov and other state marketplaces are the best source for specific premium costs.People closer to retirement age or with higher incomes could see the largest impactOnce the expanded tax credits expire at the end of this year, the out-of-pocket maximums will increase across the board, and people making above four times the poverty level will become ineligible for any tax credits.More than 6.7% of those who were enrolled in ACA plans earned more than 400% of the federal poverty level, accounting for 1.6 million people. Once the subsidies expire, these enrollees would no longer qualify for the subsidies under the ACA.Also heavily impacted are people approaching retirement age. The age group with the highest enrollment in marketplace plans is ages 55 to 64, data shows.KFF estimated in March that about half the enrollees who would lose the tax credit upon expiration are between 50 and 64.Premiums for individuals closer to retirement age and making more than 400% of the federal poverty level would also increase more compared to younger enrollees. Take a 30-year-old, a 45-year-old, and a 60-year-old earning $62,756 in a single household – 401% of the poverty level.Without the tax credits, the 30-year-old would see a $110 jump in the monthly premium for a silver plan, according to KFF’s ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit calculator. The 60-year-old would see an $881-per-month increase without the enhanced subsidies.24 million people are enrolled in plans under the Affordable Care ActThe subsidies are utilized by about 92% of the 24 million people enrolled in marketplace plans under the ACA, according to data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.These expanded credits allow households of different sizes and income levels to be capped with maximum out-of-pocket costs.From 2020 to 2025, enrollment more than doubled as a result of expanded tax credits in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, which increased the subsidies and lifted a cap that disqualified people making four times the poverty level or more from being eligible for the subsidies.Under 2025 guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the federal poverty level is $15,650 for a one-person household. At 400%, it’s $62,600.Six states have more than tripled in ACA enrollees since 2020There was a widespread increase in enrollment across states in the past five years.The six states that have more than tripled in enrollees since 2020 are Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. There were 14 states that more than doubled in enrollment. Just three places — including Washington, D.C. — declined in enrollment, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Expired subsidies take effect Jan. 1Even though new insurance premiums would take effect in the new year, a retroactive extension could be passed in 2026.However, it would be complicated and would continue to grow more complicated over time, according to KFF. More enrollees may drop insurance in the meantime. In a KFF survey, a quarter of enrollees indicated they would go without health insurance if the cost of current coverage doubled. About a third said they’d look for a lower premium plan.PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=

    WASHINGTON —

    The cost of health insurance is set to surge for millions of Americans under the Affordable Care Act at the start of the new year without the extension of expanded tax credits.

    The expanded subsidies were at the center of the 42-day government shutdown that ended in November. Now just days away from the new year, premiums are set to increase without an extension or resolution from Congress.

    The Get the Facts Data Team analyzed and aggregated statistics to know ahead of the rise in premiums in the new year.

    Premiums could rise on average 114%

    Premiums would more than double if the tax subsidies were to expire, according to an analysis from KFF.

    In addition to the potential ending of the subsidies, insurance rates are projected to rise across marketplace plans and employer-provided insurance.

    A one-person household with an annual income of $25,000 – a little more than 1.5 times the federal poverty level – is estimated to go from paying a maximum $100 out of pocket annually to $1,168.

    They would pay a maximum of less than $98 a month — 10 times more than the previous payment of less than $9 a month.

    The interactive below shows how the maximum out-of-pocket rates for benchmark plans may change if expanded subsidies expire for one, two and four-person households at various incomes. Estimates were calculated using maximum out-of-pocket rates from KFF published by the IRS, along with 2025 federal poverty level data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the 48 contiguous states plus D.C.

    The tool is not intended to calculate an individual’s actual payments. Healthcare.gov and other state marketplaces are the best source for specific premium costs.

    People closer to retirement age or with higher incomes could see the largest impact

    Once the expanded tax credits expire at the end of this year, the out-of-pocket maximums will increase across the board, and people making above four times the poverty level will become ineligible for any tax credits.

    More than 6.7% of those who were enrolled in ACA plans earned more than 400% of the federal poverty level, accounting for 1.6 million people. Once the subsidies expire, these enrollees would no longer qualify for the subsidies under the ACA.

    Also heavily impacted are people approaching retirement age. The age group with the highest enrollment in marketplace plans is ages 55 to 64, data shows.

    KFF estimated in March that about half the enrollees who would lose the tax credit upon expiration are between 50 and 64.

    Premiums for individuals closer to retirement age and making more than 400% of the federal poverty level would also increase more compared to younger enrollees. Take a 30-year-old, a 45-year-old, and a 60-year-old earning $62,756 in a single household – 401% of the poverty level.

    Without the tax credits, the 30-year-old would see a $110 jump in the monthly premium for a silver plan, according to KFF’s ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit calculator.

    The 60-year-old would see an $881-per-month increase without the enhanced subsidies.

    24 million people are enrolled in plans under the Affordable Care Act

    The subsidies are utilized by about 92% of the 24 million people enrolled in marketplace plans under the ACA, according to data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

    These expanded credits allow households of different sizes and income levels to be capped with maximum out-of-pocket costs.

    From 2020 to 2025, enrollment more than doubled as a result of expanded tax credits in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, which increased the subsidies and lifted a cap that disqualified people making four times the poverty level or more from being eligible for the subsidies.

    Under 2025 guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the federal poverty level is $15,650 for a one-person household. At 400%, it’s $62,600.

    Six states have more than tripled in ACA enrollees since 2020

    There was a widespread increase in enrollment across states in the past five years.

    The six states that have more than tripled in enrollees since 2020 are Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. There were 14 states that more than doubled in enrollment.

    Just three places — including Washington, D.C. — declined in enrollment, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

    Expired subsidies take effect Jan. 1

    Even though new insurance premiums would take effect in the new year, a retroactive extension could be passed in 2026.

    However, it would be complicated and would continue to grow more complicated over time, according to KFF.

    More enrollees may drop insurance in the meantime. In a KFF survey, a quarter of enrollees indicated they would go without health insurance if the cost of current coverage doubled. About a third said they’d look for a lower premium plan.

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  • Sen. Durbin hopeful deal can be reached amid shutdown, insurance premium increases

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    CHICAGO (WLS) — Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act begins Saturday for residents in Illinois and most states. Increases in premiums are expected to be the biggest since the ACA, known as ObamaCare, became law more than a decade ago.

    A trip to the hospital may become unaffordable for millions of people who may become priced out of their health insurance. Half a million Illinoisans rely on health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, including Jessica Kazaniwskyj and her husband, who are small business owners. Currently, their insurance costs them $2,000 a month.

    ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

    “We just got a letter saying it would be $4,000, yeah, would be our new premium,” Kazaniwskyj said. “So that’s double, yeah, double. That’s not sustainable. That’s not sustainable for anybody.”

    Inflation and the elimination of ACA subsidies and tax credits by the Trump administration are causing premiums to double and triple.

    According to state of Illinois statistics gathered by Sen. Dick Durbin’s office, the monthly average increase for families in Cook County is $215. That is $2,580 annually, appearing to hit rural counties harder. Effingham County premiums may jump by an average of $844 monthly, or $10,128 annually.

    “We believe that we need to act on this and do it now. It’s an emergency situation for many families,” Durbin said.

    For the past month, the ACA has been at the center of the government shutdown. Democrats are willing to open the government if Republicans agree to negotiate a deal on extending the ACA subsidies. Republicans say, open the government first and they’ll negotiate later.

    “All the Democrats have to do is say, ‘Let’s go.’ I mean they don’t have to do anything,” President Donald Trump said.

    But, Durbin says Democrats don’t trust Republicans to keep their word. Durbin says both parties are talking, and he is hopeful something may break soon, especially since Americans are starting to learn about their premium increases.

    “Republicans who are honest about it privately say this is a mess we’ve got to solve. And I agree with them,” Durbin said.

    Kazaniwskyj says if something is not done, she may be forced to drop her insurance

    “This is a human issue. This is not a partisan issue. This is not a political issue. You are messing with people’s lives; you’re messing with people’s health,” Kazaniwskyj said.

    If subsidies are not extended, Durbin and other health experts say there is a chance between 30-40% of people enrolled in the ACA will drop their health insurance because they can no longer afford it.

    Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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    Sarah Schulte

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  • What to know about ACA ‘phantom enrollees’ GOP talking point

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    The idea that Affordable Care Act marketplaces are riddled with fraud has become a major talking point among Republicans, as lawmakers in Congress argue about whether to extend the enhanced tax credits that are helping offset the cost of health care marketplace coverage for low- and middle-income people. Those ACA subsidies expire at the end of the year and have become a flash point in the government funding showdown.

    “The tax credits go to some people deservedly. And we think the tax credits actually go to a lot of waste and fraud within the insurance industry,” said Vice President JD Vance during a recent interview on CBS News. “We want to make sure that the tax credits go to the people who need them.”

    Key to the Republican argument of widespread fraud is a report published in August by the Paragon Health Institute, a Republican-aligned think tank. The report focuses on “phantom enrollees” in the ACA marketplaces.

    Paragon president Brian Blase said these “phantom enrollees,” who don’t use any medical care in a year, exceed the percentages of “what you would expect in a normal, functioning health insurance market.”

    Blase and his team say they have quantified the percentage of zero-claim enrollees in the ACA marketplace by analyzing Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data released in August.

    This highlights one of the central issues with the CMS data: It tracks the number of plan enrollments rather than individual enrollees.

    The federal data that Paragon analyzed could count enrollees twice if they’ve switched plans during the year, said Cynthia Cox, a vice president and the director of the Program on the ACA at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.

    Per that data, in 2021, the percentage of enrollments without any medical claims was 19%. That percentage jumped to 35% in 2024.

    To Blase and Paragon, this increase in zero-claim enrollments is evidence of fraud. It indicates, they say, that rogue insurance brokers are signing up people who don’t exist, don’t qualify, or have other insurance and don’t need ACA coverage.

    “Basically, what happened is you had insurers benefit, brokers benefit financially, and just massive numbers of people got put on the program,” Blase said. That’s where these phantoms come in. “They have no idea that they’re enrolled, and, as such, they use no medical care.”

    In 2021, former President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act, which included enhanced ACA subsidies that made plans available at low or no cost to certain low-income individuals and expanded eligibility for subsidies to some middle-income people. Those credits were extended through 2025 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, signed in 2022.

    News stories show how simple it could be for insurance brokers in certain states to sign people up for zero-cost ACA insurance plans, unbeknownst to the consumers. The Department of Health and Human Services has tried to crack down on those fraudulent practices.

    But health policy experts and analysts have cautioned against reading too deeply into the numbers of zero-claim enrollees.

    “It’s not that he’s wrong, but I think he’s overinterpreting,” said Michael Cannon, director of health policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute, of Blase’s analysis.

    Cox said there’s evidence that plan-switching has increased, due in part to extended open enrollment periods. Increased plan-switching could make the number of people being double-counted higher in the federal data and increase the percentage of zero-claim enrollees over the years. Some enrollees also may have been on an ACA plan for only part of the year, which would make them less likely to make a claim.

    “We’re not trying to argue there is no fraud. It’s a real thing. But the question is, how big of a scale is this problem?” Cox said. “Just suggesting that anyone who’s not using health care is a fraudulent enrollee — that’s not true. Plenty of people don’t use health care.”

    It’s not uncommon for healthy people in an insurance marketplace not to use their insurance in a given year, according to health policy experts. And with the enhanced ACA subsidies, more people signed up for marketplace coverage. Enrollment data shows that it made the marketplace population younger, and younger enrollees may be less likely to use their insurance. A recent report found that each year from 2018 to 2022, an average of 23% of enrollees in employer-sponsored plans didn’t use their health insurance.

    “Somehow the idea that people not using health insurance is some sort of a problem — it might be. But in principle it isn’t,” said Joseph Antos, a health policy expert and senior fellow emeritus at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute. “The point is that for insurance to work, you need some people who are not making claims on the insurance.”

    The main trade associations for insurers and hospitals, AHIP and the American Hospital Association, have also disputed Paragon’s characterization of the federal data and even published blog posts breaking down their arguments. AHIP pushed back on the idea that the insurance industry is profiting from the enhanced subsidies by stating that existing law caps health plan profits.

    Paragon was started by Blase in 2021 and has become widely influential in Republican health policy circles. Alumni of the organization are staffers in the Trump administration and in House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office, so it follows that the group’s takeaways would become Republican talking points.

    It’s also not new for the GOP to say that government programs are full of fraud. During the negotiations over the One Big Beautiful Bill, Republican lawmakers insisted Medicaid wouldn’t be cut to pay for the tax cuts, but that “waste, fraud, and abuse” in the health program would be eliminated.

    Now, the ACA is center stage in the ongoing federal government shutdown, with Democrats pushing for Congress to extend the current ACA subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year. And fraud, again, is a centerpiece of the argument for Republicans. Democrats take a different view on the amount of fraud in the program, instead emphasizing how the subsidies’ expiration will increase insurance premiums.

    “It’s become a boondoggle. It’s a subsidy for insurance companies,” Speaker Johnson said of the ACA subsidies at a shutdown press conference last week. “When you subsidize the health care system, and you pay insurance companies more, the prices increase. That’s been the problem.”

    KFF Health News senior correspondent Julie Appleby contributed to this report.

    This article first appeared on KFF Health News.

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  • BookOutdoors Announces Partnership and Integration With Leading Hospitality Management Platform, Cloudbeds

    BookOutdoors Announces Partnership and Integration With Leading Hospitality Management Platform, Cloudbeds

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    Cloudbeds clients can now effortlessly list their outdoor accommodations on BookOutdoors, ensuring enhanced visibility and increased bookings.


    DENVER, March 12, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    BookOutdoors, a pioneering platform dedicated to simplifying the booking process for outdoor accommodations, is thrilled to announce its partnership with Cloudbeds, a leading provider of hospitality management software. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the travel and hospitality industry by integrating BookOutdoors’ platform with Cloudbeds’ robust API, offering a seamless booking experience for outdoor enthusiasts and property managers alike.

    The partnership leverages Cloudbeds’ comprehensive hospitality management suite through a direct API integration, enabling BookOutdoors to offer real-time availability, dynamic pricing, and instant booking capabilities for a wide range of outdoor accommodations. From campgrounds to glamping sites and other outdoor lodging, users can effortlessly search, compare, and book their next outdoor adventure with the assurance of up-to-date information and secure transactions.

    “This partnership with Cloudbeds represents a pivotal step forward in our mission to connect people with nature more easily and efficiently,” said Brian Nolan, Co-Founder & CEO of BookOutdoors. “By integrating Cloudbeds’ powerful software, we’re not only enhancing our platform’s functionality but also vastly expanding our inventory of unique outdoor stays. This means more choices, convenience, and memorable experiences for our users.”

    Cloudbeds, known for its innovative hospitality software that streamlines operations for property owners and managers, brings to the partnership its extensive network of accommodations and state-of-the-art technology. The integration facilitates a two-way communication between BookOutdoors and accommodation providers, ensuring that bookings are immediately synced with the properties’ management systems, reducing the risk of overbooking and enhancing guest satisfaction.

    “We are excited to partner with BookOutdoors and extend our reach into the great outdoors,” said Sebastien Leitner, Vice President of Partnerships at Cloudbeds. “This integration is more than just a technical connection; it’s about creating value for both travelers and property managers by making outdoor stays more accessible and easier to manage. Together, we are setting a new standard for outdoor travel booking.”

    The partnership between BookOutdoors and Cloudbeds is now live, with users able to access the integrated booking functionality on the BookOutdoors platform. Both companies are committed to continuous innovation and providing exceptional service to their customers, paving the way for a brighter future in outdoor travel.

    For more information about BookOutdoors and to list your property for free, visit partners.bookoutdoors.com. To learn more about Cloudbeds and its hospitality management solutions, visit cloudbeds.com.

    About BookOutdoors

    BookOutdoors is a leading online booking platform specializing in outdoor travel. With BookOutdoors, guests can effortlessly find and reserve all types of outdoor accommodations, such as RV sites, glamping resorts, cabins, lodging, tent camping, and more, without booking fees or memberships. Founded in 2021, BookOutdoors is a combined effort between owners/operators in outdoor hospitality and tech industry veterans and is backed by leading VC investors and executives from the largest travel and hospitality businesses.

    About Cloudbeds

    Cloudbeds is the leading platform powering hospitality, serving tens of thousands of lodging businesses in more than 150 countries worldwide. The award-winning Cloudbeds Platform is designed to deliver 360-value to hoteliers, seamlessly integrating built-in and marketplace solutions that increase revenue, streamline operations, and delight guests into a unified system. Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds has been named a top PMS, Hotel Management System and Channel Manager (2021-2024) by Hotel Tech Report, World’s Best Hotel PMS Solutions Provider (2022) by World Travel Awards, and recognized in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 in 2023.

    Source: BookOutdoors

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  • PrivateAuto Streamlines Peer-to-Peer Car Sales With New ‘DealNow’ Feature

    PrivateAuto Streamlines Peer-to-Peer Car Sales With New ‘DealNow’ Feature

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    DealNow is Ideal for When You Have a Buyer or Seller Already Lined Up and Want a Secure, Fast, and Convenient Way to Close the Deal


    ALPINE, Utah, August 8, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    PrivateAuto, the transactional marketplace for private-party auto sales, announced today the launch of its new DealNow feature for fast-track vehicle transactions.  

    DealNow allows buyers and sellers who have found each other through other means to utilize PrivateAuto’s suite of transactional tools to securely and seamlessly complete the sale.

    Sellers can bypass the listing process and invite a buyer to “DealNow” on PrivateAuto to take advantage of the platform’s robust transactional capabilities. Similarly, a buyer can invite a seller to DealNow.

    DealNow is ideal for buyers and sellers who meet on other platforms such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, which lack transactional infrastructure and safeguards.

    “With DealNow, we’re giving buyers and sellers the best of both worlds: the ability to connect on their own terms combined with our robust transactional infrastructure to get the deal done,” said PrivateAuto CEO Brad Parker. “If you’ve already found your next car or found a buyer for your current vehicle, you can skip the marketplace and go straight to our seamless checkout flow. DealNow takes out the friction associated with private-party sales so car buyers and sellers can get the deal done safely and conveniently.”

    DealNow equips users with PrivateAuto’s full suite of tools to facilitate and safeguard transactions, including integrated financing, scheduling, inspections, escrow-like safeguards, insurance, instant digital payments (with no transaction fees), electronic bill-of-sale signing, and vehicle-transport coordination. 

    Buyers and sellers initiate the DealNow process by inviting the other party, then proceed through PrivateAuto’s fast-track workflow to schedule the test drive, electronically sign the bill of sale, and transfer funds. For the latter, PrivateAuto Pay’s $1 million instant transfer capability works 24/7/365 and is fee-free.

    “For too long, peer-to-peer vehicle sales have been an inefficient hassle,” added Parker. “With DealNow, we’ve created the first truly streamlined end-to-end solution tailored specifically for direct buyer-seller connections. It removes the risks and headaches traditionally associated with private-party sales. We’re excited to be pioneering fast, secure and seamless transactions.”

    The DealNow feature is available starting today for PrivateAuto users across the United States. For more information, visit https://privateauto.com/dealnow. 

    About PrivateAuto

    PrivateAuto is the first transactional marketplace that simplifies and secures the private-vehicle sale process. Founded in 2020, the company provides a self-service platform that enables a safe, simple, and speedy experience for vehicle buyers and sellers. With identity verification, e-signing the bill of sale, and instant transfer of funds, PrivateAuto sets the standard for peer-to-peer car sales. For more information, visit privateauto.com or follow @privateauto on Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn.

    Source: PrivateAuto

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  • PrivateAuto Introduces PrivateAuto Pay for Safe and Secure Peer-to-Peer Vehicle Transactions

    PrivateAuto Introduces PrivateAuto Pay for Safe and Secure Peer-to-Peer Vehicle Transactions

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    Press Release
    •

    Mar 23, 2023 07:30 MDT

    The only way to securely transfer over $10,000 in the parking lot during a private vehicle sale


    ALPINE, Utah, March 23, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    PrivateAuto, the first P2P transactional vehicle marketplace, introduces PrivateAuto Pay — the only way to eSign the bill of sale and securely transfer amounts over $10,000 in the parking lot. PrivateAuto is the first mobile app to bring safety, security, and instant transactions to the private sale.

    Secure Transactions

    With PrivateAuto Pay, buyers and sellers can safely and securely transfer funds on the spot, even on nights, weekends, and holidays. PrivateAuto Pay provides a fast, reliable, and secure way to close a peer-to-peer deal in the parking lot. This eliminates the need for users to carry large sums of cash or wait for checks to clear, making the transaction process faster and more convenient for everyone involved.

    Avoid Scams

    PrivateAuto uses driver’s license verification and facial recognition technology to verify the identity of both buyers and sellers. To avoid sharing personal information, the platform also includes secure messaging within the app so the buyer and seller can communicate. In a market plagued with scammers, this brings safety and security to the private sale.

    Easy Bill of Sale

    PrivateAuto is the only way to experience dealer-like services in the palm of the user’s hand. The app provides the ability to e-sign the Bill of Sale right on the phone. It also allows users to upload the physical documents needed to keep everything in one place. 

    Pay When It Sells

    Since PrivateAuto is the only marketplace with transactional technology, sellers have the option to pay the listing fee when their car actually sells. This makes PrivateAuto the first pay-on-performance marketplace for private sellers.

    About PrivateAuto

    PrivateAuto is the safe and simple way to buy or sell a car privately. It’s the only technology-driven way to close a peer-to-peer deal in the parking lot.

    For more information on PrivateAuto and its innovative features, please visit privateauto.com.

    Source: PrivateAuto

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  • Luxor Technologies Launches The First Bitcoin Mining ASIC Request-for-Quote Platform

    Luxor Technologies Launches The First Bitcoin Mining ASIC Request-for-Quote Platform

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    Luxor has launched the first ever ASIC RFQ platform with the goal of maximized market transparency and access.

    Luxor Technologies, a full-stack Bitcoin mining software and services company, has launched the first request-for-quote (RFQ) platform for buying and selling Bitcoin mining hardware.

    The press release sent to Bitcoin Magazine describes what an RFQ platform is, saying “An RFQ is a marketplace where users can create orders (requests) for specific items. Luxor’s double-sided RFQ allows both buyers and sellers to create requests for Bitcoin mining ASICs.”

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    BtcCasey

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  • Rerouted Announces Rerouted Ultra: A Year of Gear and Perks

    Rerouted Announces Rerouted Ultra: A Year of Gear and Perks

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    Ultra is the newest evolution of Rerouted. Rerouted is a second-hand gear platform that is leveraging contemporary technology to make second-hand painless and crazy easy for buyers and sellers. Ultra is a year-long program designed to reduce every pain point people face using existing marketplaces.

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Dec 9, 2022


    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., December 9, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Rerouted Co. is rolling out Rerouted Ultra. Rerouted Ultra is the newest way to support the circular economy. Ultra is the easiest and cheapest way to buy and sell second-hand outdoor gear. No shipping costs, no commission fees and unlimited support when people want to buy and sell gear for the entirety of 2023. This program launched with 500 seats on Monday, Dec. 5 and will be available through Dec. 31 12:00 a.m. PST.  

    Ultra is the newest evolution of Rerouted. Rerouted is a second-hand gear platform that is leveraging contemporary technology to make second-hand painless and crazy easy for buyers and sellers. This is a year-long program designed to reduce every pain point people face using existing marketplaces. 

    Rerouted is excited to highlight six key features of their Ultra program:

    • Zero Commissions – sell any piece of outdoor gear, get 100% of the asking price
    • Free Shipping – buy any gear you want and Rerouted covers the shipping fees
    • Monthly Seller Tips, Tricks and Workshops – get support to make as much money as possible selling gear on Rerouted
    • Early Access to Gear Tracker – a new feature Rerouted is releasing early next year to help you find exactly the right gear for you, and get notified immediately when it arrives on the site
    • Partner Perks – include a $65 WFA course w/ Base Medical, and many more are in the works.
    • Limited time upcycled Rerouted swag

    Chap Grubb, Rerouted’s CEO and Founder, said this about the mission behind Ultra:

    “Recycling, upcycling and reselling are key to a sustainable future. Our team believes deeply that the reason gear collects dust in people’s garages is because it is too difficult to buy & sell online. Choosing second-hand first should be an easy choice for people that care about the environment. We are psyched to make it easier than ever to save gear from the landfill and help people create their own wilderness adventures. Plus, free shipping and zero commissions are unheard of in online second hand shopping. We love being the first to offer this.”

    To join Rerouted in their mission is to embrace the Circular Economy. Ultra is the newest and best community to buy and sell outdoor gear online. All Rerouted Ultra perks will start immediately upon purchase and run through 2023. Check it out today. www.rerouted.co/rerouted-ultra

    Rerouted is an online platform that is developing tools & software that will empower people, local gear stores and marketplaces to get gear back out to the next generation of wilderness advocates.

    Source: Rerouted Co

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  • Startup Phenomena Launches a New Destination for Experiential Learning

    Startup Phenomena Launches a New Destination for Experiential Learning

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    MIT alums create an engaging digital space where students learn by seeing and doing.

    Press Release
    –

    Sep 14, 2022


    SEATTLE, September 14, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Phenomena, an early-stage edtech startup founded by three MIT graduates, announced the launch of its new creator-driven platform for experiential STEM learning. 

    Founder & CEO Jared Schiffman said, “This is the first edtech platform for digital natives by digital natives,” referring to Phenomena’s unique creator-driven approach. “It’s a space where the mind’s eye meets the creator’s hand – where students learn by exploring and experimenting with dynamic interactive experiences.”

    To engage today’s students, Schiffman believes you need to meet them where they are. Visual communication is the baseline for digitally native students who consume gigabytes of visual media every day. “Our visual, interactive approach serves two learning goals – it engages a wide range of students and it successfully conveys concepts that otherwise seem out of reach.”

    Phenomena is realizing this solution with its collection of bite-sized STEM learning experiences designed by creators and ready for use by students and teachers. Teachers can use the experiences as a “do now” to start class, as a demonstration or to bring textbook readings to life. Presently the collection contains nearly 100 experiences across math, physics, chemistry, biology and even music. As more creators join Phenomena, the collection’s depth and breadth will continue to grow.

    “Phenomena is a marketplace for digital learning experiences. Ultimately, for each concept, there will be a plethora of experiences made by different creators with distinct perspectives, and the best ones will rise to the top,” says Schiffman. “And unlike iOS or Android apps, which take weeks or months to build, these experiences can be created in a day or two with the Phenomena Creator Tool.”

    The Phenomena Creator Tool is an intuitive, browser-based design and coding space that enables anyone to quickly and easily create engaging, interactive experiences. Publishing is done with a single click after experiences are thoroughly vetted by Phenomena. The Creator Tool opens the gates to a broad range of creators, enabling a diversity of STEM experiences for the diversity of STEM learners.

    See all of Phenomena’s experiences launching today at phenomena.app. Educators can share experiences with students by creating a free teacher account. Those interested in becoming creators can contact Phenomena through the website.

    ——-

    About Phenomena

    Founded in 2021, Phenomena is a destination for digital learning experiences built by a diverse community of creators. We believe dynamic STEM concepts are best conveyed through dynamic digital experiences. Phenomena experiences build intuition, simplify complex ideas, and nurture hands-on, interactive learning. At Phenomena, our mission is to make STEM engaging and accessible for all students. We aim to foster achievement for all students, because every student is deserving of success.

    Visit phenomena.app, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter @PhenomenaLearn, Instagram @phenomena.learning, LinkedIn or Medium to learn more.

    ——-

    Media Inquiries

    Jared Schiffman: People@phenomenalearning.com

    Source: Phenomena

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  • Giftapart Inc. Offers Giveaways Valued at $1,000 and $100 to 11 Lucky Winners Who Follow Its Social Media Platforms

    Giftapart Inc. Offers Giveaways Valued at $1,000 and $100 to 11 Lucky Winners Who Follow Its Social Media Platforms

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    Giftapart launching in summer 2018 promises to ‘change the world’ with revolutionary e-commerce


    SOMERVILLE, N.J., May 16, 2018 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​Pedroso Ventures Inc., the tech startup in Somerville, New Jersey, that had its ribbon-cutting in September 2017 has changed its corporate name to Giftapart Inc., and now announces a giveaway for 11 people to win up to $1,000 shopping credits.

    Developing an internet e-commerce software platform that its CEO and founder Filipe Pedroso says will “change the world,” the project has been under heavy secrecy since its commencement. Pedroso says the public launch date is anticipated for late summer 2018 using the company’s current name and brand of Giftapart.

    We’re excited to announce a giveaway to one lucky winner of $1,000 shopping credit and 10 others who will receive $100 credit to Giftapart on launch date, just for following us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

    Filipe Pedroso, Esq., CEO

    To celebrate the birth of its business name, Giftapart has launched a website and several social media sites. “We’re excited to announce a giveaway to one lucky winner of $1,000 shopping credit and 10 others who will receive $100 credit to Giftapart on launch date, just for following us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.”

    Giftapart can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media services under its business name. “People can easily find us on any of these social media platforms by searching Giftapart. We’re the only company named Giftapart. Our name is as unique as the innovative and revolutionary e-commerce methods we’re creating and launching this summer.”

    The company has been developing a completely new internet shopping experience. “We have filed provisional patents incorporating about a dozen revolutionary new ways of engaging in e-commerce. We believe that some of our methods will change the world’s culture forever, and how everyone does a certain type of shopping.”

    Pedroso states that Giftapart will provide customers will all types of products. “We intend on providing most items, if not all, consumers want and need as soon as possible,” said Pedroso. “The company is in process of establishing business relationships with top retailers that sell and ship goods within the United States. We will only sell products that are sold by established, ethical retailers. Consumers can be assured that they will only get authentic products from the brands they trust and the stores they know.

    “The retailers that have had the opportunity to see what we’re doing are very excited and really love the unique retailer toolbox we provide them,” commented Pedroso. “The way that retailers can connect with their loyal customers is uniquely special and efficient at Giftapart. Retailers are loving that. And interested, loyal consumers will equally appreciate that level of connection with their favorite retailers.

    “We wanted to reward our initial Giftapart fans so we created this giveaway,” said Pedroso. According to the giveaway rules, anyone can participate by following Giftapart on its social media sites and being in current follower status on the launch date. “We’ll select the 11 winners on launch day and reach out to them the same day. We want them to start using and shopping on Giftapart right away!”

    Although the rules of the giveaway limit entry to adults, Pedroso says they’ll do whatever they can to accommodate everyone. “We understand that some minors may not know or read the rules fully, therefore still follow our pages with the impression that they’ve qualified. If possible, we’ll make an effort to get their parental consent to still award them their giveaway. Our company’s philosophy is to always do the right thing, even if it means taking the extra mile. We’ll always take care of our customers first.”

    In fact, since almost the start of the project, Pedroso has had the words “CUSTOMER #1” on the whiteboard in the company’s conference room. Kevyn Jaremko, director of front-end software development, has been with the company since its first line of code and said, “I guess as developers we were thinking about ways to make the platform more profitable, but Filipe [Pedroso] would remind us and always say, ‘We’re focused on creating an awesome platform for the customers’ use and satisfaction.’ He would always say ‘the customer is number one,’ so after saying it a couple times, he wrote it in all caps on the whiteboard. It’s still there, he never erased it.”

    “Oh yeah, Filipe [Pedroso] is obsessed with the customer,” added Deepak Kumar, also with the company since the onset and leads the back-end software development. Kumar further stated, “There’s no doubt that Filipe [Pedroso] has kept his focus. He has demanded that we leave no detail undone. Every detail of the project is revolved around what the customer will enjoy, need and want. But you know what, I guess that’s what it takes. We’re all so excited to get the platform in people’s hands so they can start enjoying all the great features. This project was not built for ease of development. It was built for ease of use.”

    Priya Balakrishnan, front-end coder at the company, said, “The goal is to give the users a fun and exciting shopping experience and to that effect, we are working towards a design that is aesthetically pleasing while being simple and seamless to use. We want to bring the fun of retail shopping to the online experience.”

    Giftapart is developing its platform to be released in desktop and mobile form. “Creating a truly all-encompassing platform has been the goal, and that, of course, would include allowing people to use it in all form factors. So whether you want to use Giftapart on your desktop, notebook, tablet, Android or iPhone, we got you covered. You’re going to love shopping and doing so much more on Giftapart,” said Pedroso.

    Heading the mobile development team is Robert Dudas Jr. and he says, “We have been able to pack a tremendous amount of functionality into a simple-to-use user interface on the mobile phone. Filipe [Pedroso] has insisted that the user experience be similar across all platforms, and we have been able to maintain enough uniformity that once you know how to use the desktop version, going to the mobile app will be a breeze and vice versa. I’m very pleased with the successes we’ve had.”

    For reference, mentioned in the press release:

    Company webpage: http://giftapart.com

    Giveaway rules: http://giftapart.com/giveaway

    Company social media platforms:

        https://facebook.com/giftapart

        https://instagram.com/giftapart

        https://twitter.com/giftapart

        https://linkedin.com/company/giftapart

    For additional information contact:

    Liana V. Pedroso
    ​Chief Administrative Officer
    ​Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
    ​Giftapart Inc.
    892 US 22, 2nd Floor​
    ​Somerville, NJ 08876
    (551) 202-8008 Ext. 4077
    ​lvp@giftapart.com

    Source: Giftapart Inc.

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  • Lurento Car Rental Marketplace Expands to Spain, Now Offering Luxury and Sports Cars in 70 Cities in Europe

    Lurento Car Rental Marketplace Expands to Spain, Now Offering Luxury and Sports Cars in 70 Cities in Europe

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    Tallinn, Estonia, May 17, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
     Lurento, a B2C car rental marketplace, has announced the launch of its service in Spain. Customers can now book luxury and sports cars in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Marbella and Malaga.

    “We’ve onboarded a number of partners in Spain. Our customers will have the best deals for the upcoming season and more than 100 models to choose between, from a Lamborghini Aventador to a Mercedes Viano. Lurento has become the ultimate source for luxury car rental in Europe”, says Milan Krstanovic, Partner relations manager.

    Despite the fact that it only operates in Europe, Lurento is the largest high-end car rental marketplace. Launched in November 2016, the marketplace aims to take over a €6.2bn luxury car rental market. The market is expected to grow at 11% CAGR by 2025.

    “Sharing economy services are changing the way we rent cars. Car rental corporations and local companies are unable to cope with the market trends. Lurento is about to change that. Customers want better support, transparent pricing and more options to choose from”, says Mihailo Dhoric, CEO.

    “We’ve managed to create early traction with minimal investment by building trust and word-of-mouth. It’s quite a challenge for a startup to hit €2900 AOV in only 5 months. I’m proud of how much my team has succeeded in building trust and promoting our values. We strongly believe that our customers deserve premium quality service”, Mihailo adds.

    The motto “Rent better” reflects the philosophy behind Lurento, emphasising customer experience. For most of the time, customers pay for premium cars, but they are saddled with “similar cars”, poor customer service and support. Overcharges and hidden fees are common. With Lurento, models are guaranteed and there are no surprise charges. The reservation and rental processes are easy and almost paperless. Lurento also protects car rental companies using advanced fraud detection services and internally developed security procedures.

    “Fake credit cards, IDs and theft attempts are common. Organised crime groups use real IDs and forged credit cards to rent the most expensive vehicles. Stolen vehicles usually end up in the Netherlands. Thieves don’t give up easily — they try over and over with new IDs/credit cards. Our partners are immediately notified”, explains Milan.

    About Lurento

    Europe’s leading marketplace for luxury and sports car rental redefines the car rental experience for companies, clients and fast cars enthusiasts. Powered by technology, data and artificial intelligence, Lurento has lowered the entry cost into the luxury car rental market, making prestigious cars available to a wider audience. Lurento helps local car rental companies utilize unused inventory, prevent theft and fraud and get access to clients worldwide. A Tallinn-based startup, founded in 2016, has operations in London, UK and Belgrade, Serbia. Lurento is available in Italy, Germany, Spain, Monaco, Switzerland and Austria. Find out more at https://lurento.com

    Source: Lurento

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