AutoUnify is the new startup guzzling premium across the automotive space. To overcome this challenge, Acerta has created a unique API that allows dealerships, service shops, manufacturers, and software vendors to communicate in real-time. Founded by Joel Milne, who previously established and sold the mobile auto repair startup RepairSmith, AutoUnify aims to address the challenges faced by thousands of dealerships and mechanic shops that currently lack a common language for effective communication. The startup made its first appearance at UP.Summit 2022 in Bentonville, Arkansas. It’s made a splash in funding already, raising a $5 million round of funding, led by UP.Partners.
To be sure, the automotive retail sector is one of the most complex. An average dealership relies on more than 40 different software systems to run their operations. This fragmentation creates significant inefficiencies and communication barriers that severely impede operations. AutoUnify’s open API unifies disparate systems. This link joins dealers and car service centers with the shop floor, increasing visibility for efficiencies and improving communications between dealerships and service shops, census manufacturers, and suppliers.
“We had this problem of, ‘how do you work with dealerships and shops and talk to them as you’re running around repairing cars and trying to refer them business or get parts from them?” said Joel Milne. His vision for AutoUnify is to create a platform so developers can easily help consumers communicate seamlessly across the automotive ecosystem.
UP Labs is a public venture laboratory that has spun out four startups to date, AutoUnify being the most recent. The developer’s distinct financial investment structure affords enormous flexibility in pursuing creative innovations. UP Labs previously partnered with world class organizations including Porsche, Alaska Airlines and JB Hunt. These third-party partnerships lend tremendous credibility to AutoUnify in the marketplace.
AutoUnify has just nine employees on staff. By the end of the year, the company expects to have grown its staff to 20. The company reports having completed successful pilots of its technology with a number of customers in 2024. Now, it’s preparing to roll out its innovations to a broader user base across the industry.
John Kuolt, a representative from UP Labs, expressed confidence in AutoUnify’s potential: “It’s exactly the kind of breakthrough we build for: a company that not only tackles a technical challenge but fundamentally reshapes how an entire industry operates.” He added that “really the focus for the rest of the year is building the technology and building the sales pipeline,” indicating a strong commitment to scaling their operations.
AutoUnify addresses difficult auto manufacturer and dealer communications through unique technology. Our ultimate mission is to change the way dealerships and service shops thrive within the changing automotive ecosystem.
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