Want to stay up to date on the latest startup fundings, launches, and expansions in Austin? Startup Over Coffee’s weekly roundup of startups to watch in Austin will keep you in the loop on the latest Austin tech news.

The Zebra

Zebra, an Austin based startup whose site compares different insurance plans to help consumers make the best choices regarding insurance, recently scored a $150 million Series D funding. The capital raise brings The Zebra’s total valuation to over $1 billion, giving them unicorn status. According to a press release, the new investment was supported by both new and former investors including Accel, Silverton Partners, Ballast Point Ventures, Daher Capital, Floodgate Fund, The Zebra’s CEO Keith Melnick, Weatherford Capital, and KDT.

The Zebra offers a real-time quote comparison tool which helps users determine which insurance company fits their unique needs. In addition to giving comparisons on coverage, service level and pricing, the insurance comparison site also provides users with agent support and educational resources. Currently, The site only compares insurance plans in the home and auto insurance industries. The Zebra plans to use the fresh capital raise to grow their team and build their brand. 

Markaaz

Another Los Angeles based startup has decided to pick up their roots and relocate to the Capital City. Markaaz operates an AI-powered platform that helps connect small businesses to clients and services. Markaaz has already chosen the Foundry I building as their new home and plans to move in and bring on 70 new hires by the end of the year. 

According to Austin Inno, the startup’s announcement to relocate comes a few months after a strategic relationship with BDO Alliance, an accounting and consulting firm that helps small to mid-sized businesses. Furthermore, Markaaz has also worked with Salesforce and Equifax. The tech startup has raised $8 million to date. It is currently unclear whether Markaaz plans to keep a presence in Los Angeles. 

Disco

A new Austin based startup plans to enter the world of skincare and beauty with their skincare products that are geared toward men. With a new $5 million seed round, Disco plans on doing just that. Leading the seed round is Midnight Venture Partners followed by support from the founder of Tecovas, Paul Hendrick, former CTO of Glossier and founder of Arfa Brands Bryan Mahoney, and founder of Richard’s Rainwater, Taylor O’Neil. 

Since the summer of 2020, Disco has been experiencing triple digit month over month revenue growth. This fact is less surprising when you consider a report by Allied Market Research that states the men’s personal care market is expected to reach $166 billion in revenue by 2022. According to a press release, the skincare startup plans to use the new funding to scale their business, expand their product offering, hire a core team, and accelerate their product rollout to retail doors across the country. Disco products can currently be found online and in select Nordstrom stores across the country. 

About Savannah Burns: Savannah is a Business Development Associate for Swyft, which is a tech PR firm in Austin and Houston and a top digital marketing and PR agency in Denver since its founding in 2011. Swyft recently opened a satellite office where it offers tech PR in San Francisco. Swyft was also listed as one of the top tech PR agencies in Texas by the B2B services review site, Clutch.co.