Google invests $100K in Birmingham-based tech startup

Tech fans and real estate agents, we have some news. Smart Alto, a Birmingham-based tech startup that helps real estate agents qualify leads and schedule appointments, has received a $100K investment as part of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. Read on for more.

What is Smart Alto?

Founded in 2017 by Birmingham native Hassan Riggs, Smart Alto is a Birmingham-based tech company that provides realtors an easy way to find a list of homeowners and set up a meeting without cold calling or paying for expensive seller leads. It first caught national attention after its team competed in Innovation Depot’s 2018 Velocity Accelerator.

Smart Alto helps real estate agents eliminate cold calling by automatically booking appointments with real estate leads, providing important data analytics and connecting with potential clients via LinkedIn, Facebook, email and direct mail. 

What kind of data? Some examples include: 

• Neighborhood homes
• Deed + mortgage tax
• Assessors + valuations
• Phone numbers, emails + social profiles

“Our approach is five times more effective at connecting with clients… our goal is to bring real estate agents, local service providers and mortgage professionals into the modern age of selling.”

Hassan Riggs, CEO + Founder, Smart Alto

With Google now investing $100K in Smart Alto, it appears the startup’s time in the Velocity Accelerator paid off.

Google’s $100K investment

So, what is Google’s investment all about? It’s all thanks to the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. The fund’s goal is to increase promising Black startup founders in the US.

Along with the $100K cash reward, Smart Alto also received:

• Hands-on program and support from Google
• Mentorship from tech and business experts
• Access to free mental health therapy

What’s next for Smart Alto?

According to the BBJ, Smart Alto will continue to keep their main focus on real estate, but is considering broadening its clientele to mortgage, solar and insurance companies.

For more news around Birmingham, follow Bham Now on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok + LinkedIn.