{"id":336958,"date":"2017-03-28T19:58:18","date_gmt":"2017-03-28T11:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/techcrunch.com\/?p=1469613"},"modified":"2017-03-28T19:58:18","modified_gmt":"2017-03-28T11:58:18","slug":"wrench-raises-4-million-to-bring-auto-repairs-to-your-door","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/people.utm.my\/asmawisham\/wrench-raises-4-million-to-bring-auto-repairs-to-your-door\/","title":{"rendered":"Wrench raises $4 million to bring auto repairs to your door"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A Seattle startup called\u00a0Wrench\u00a0<\/a>has raised $4 million in Series A funding for an app that sends certified\u00a0auto mechanics to the customer\u2019s door. The\u00a0round was led by Madrona Venture Group<\/a>, according to Wrench CEO and co-founder Ed Petersen.<\/p>\n

In general, people\u00a0dread\u00a0cars repairs. According to a AAA survey,<\/a> 2 out of 3 people in the U.S. don\u2019t trust auto repair shops and more than half have had negative past experiences. Two of the biggest concerns are that mechanics will recommend unnecessary services and overcharge for their work.<\/p>\n

But repairs aren\u2019t going away. Americans bought a record number of cars last year, 17.5 million to be precise.\u00a0Petersen said, \u201cWe really want to remove the hassle of car ownership.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wrench gives users an option too book tuneups\u00a0and a good range of repairs, a la carte. But it is also rolling out\u00a0a subscription for regular upkeep. For certain jobs, like transmission work or rim repair,\u00a0Wrench refers drivers\u00a0to a network of partners, rather than attempt to do that heavier work \u201cin your driveway.\u201d<\/p>\n

The deal marks the third automotive investment in Madrona\u2019s portfolio. The firm has also backed\u00a0Echodyne<\/a>, a company making lightweight radar technology to enable self-driving vehicles, and Booster Fuels<\/a>, an app that allows users to have their cars refueled in the lot while they are at work.<\/p>\n

Madrona\u2019s Managing Director Len Jordan\u00a0said, \u201cThis is a big market that hasn\u2019t changed much in probably 100 years. What we specifically like about Wrench is that they provide a managed service, owning the customer experience from the moment you ask to have your car repaired until you are happy with the service and pay your bill.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other startups have cropped up to offer auto repairs in your own driveway, including: YourMechanic<\/a> and Fiix<\/a> in the US. But in Petersen\u2019s view, these are more like classic, peer-to-peer marketplaces that help qualified mechanics find flexible, freelance work.<\/p>\n

We asked Petersen if he\u2019s worried about the fact that fewer people are getting their drivers\u2019 licenses these days. \u201cSomebody has to own all those ride-share and self-driving vehicles,\u201d the CEO said. Wrench actually does a portion of its business with corporate clients. For example, it\u00a0has a partnership with Lyft in Seattle, and provides inspections for new drivers before they are on-boarded in that market.<\/p>\n

Given the new funding, Wrench will aim to further saturate the major markets where it has rolled out its service already: Seattle, San Diego, Portland and Phoenix. It also wants to expand into a few new markets in the West but isn\u2019t making a \u201cland grab.\u201d Too many \u201con-demand\u201d startups and marketplace have made the mistake of rapid, geographic expansion, Petersen said.<\/p>\n

Featured Image: Wrench Inc.<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"\" A Seattle startup called\u00a0Wrench\u00a0has raised $4 million in Series A funding for an app that sends certified\u00a0auto mechanics to the customer’s door. The\u00a0round was led by Madrona Venture Group, according to Wrench CEO and co-founder Ed Petersen. In general, people\u00a0dread\u00a0cars repairs. According to a AAA survey, 2 out of 3 people in the U.S. don’t trust auto repair shops and more… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n

\n<\/img><\/a> <\/img><\/a> <\/img><\/a> <\/img><\/a> <\/img><\/a> <\/img><\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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