Bootstrapped Darling Text Request Gets Acquired, Prepares For Further Growth In Chattanooga
Text Request, a Chattanooga-based business texting platform, has bootstrapped its way to a successful exit.
After ten years of building up its business, the Tennessee startup has been acquired by U.K-based global messaging solutions leader Commify.
This is Commify’s 18th acquisition since 2013 and its second in 2024. The company has offices currently across the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia. The acquisition will be used as Commify’s US base as the company looks to expand across the pond.
“The U.S. market is an exciting and significant opportunity for Commify. Text Request is highly complementary to our existing U.S. business, doubles our scale to well over $30 million revenue, and transforms our future position within this market. We can’t wait to get started with the team to continue to grow together in the years to come,” Richard Hanscott, CEO of Commify, said in a statement.
Brian Elrod, Text Request’s CEO and co-founder, told Hypepotamus that “Commify saw us in the market and reached out to us directly to start the conversation."
What Text Request's Acquisition Means For Chattanooga
Text Request was co-founded by Brian Elrod, Jamey Elrod, and Rob Reagan with a goal of helping the business community better connect with customers through text messaging.
The company has posted a growth rate of 60% per year over the last three years, approaching $15 million annual recurring revenue (ARR), and $20 million in total revenue. It has grown its customer base to 7,500 across the U.S. and Canada.
Today, the team consists of 40 employees, 35 of whom are based in Chattanooga. Following the acquisition, the company will remain and grow in the southern Tennessee city that has become a growing tech hub.
“We've hit milestones that very few bootstrapped tech companies achieve, and we're especially proud of what this means for our local startup community,” Elrod added in a statement.
