Topline Pro, a NYC-based generative AI platform enabling home services professionals to manage and scale their businesses online, raised $12M in Series A funding.

Homes are always in need of repair, providing home service businesses with no shortage of opportunity. However, managing inbound requests with actually doing the work and taking payments can be difficult.In recent years, startups have come online with technology solutions to help small home service businesses juggle all of that. Topline Pro is one of them, infusing generative AI into its platform to manage and scale businesses like general contractors and landscapers.Nick Ornitz, co-founder and CEO, started the company with Shannon Kay to provide tools and resources so businesses like these can build an online presence via websites, social media and advertisements; gain trust by showcasing their experience through reviews and photos; and offer customers online scheduling and payment options as well as the ability to maintain long-term contact.The home services category grew 18% in 2021 and another 10% in 2022 due to homeowners spending more time at home during the pandemic, leading more businesses catering to this market to focus on how to grow their businesses and increase discoverability, Ornitz told TechCrunch via email.“These trends are still unfolding in 2023 and have additionally begun to feel the effects of a slowdown due to a down housing market — thanks to interest rates,” Ornitz said. “All the while, raw material prices have gone up, and so many home service business owners are focused on how to become more efficient in order to maintain margins.”Topline is situated among an increasingly crowded space. For example, Honey Homes raised capital in June for its subscription-based handyman-on-demand service. There’s also Finli, a mobile-first payment management provider and Zuper, a provider of productivity tools for field service management and customer engagement.In addition, Fuzey offers a “digital one-stop shop” for small businesses and independent contractors, while Puls Technologies, provides a mobile app connecting tradespeople with on-demand home repair services