Likewize

{{Infobox company

| name = Likewize Corp.

| logo =

| type = Private

| slogan = Every tech problem made painless. Technology is great when it works. We're here for when it doesn't.

| foundation = 1997

| location = Dallas, Texas, United States

| key_people = Rod Millar (CEO)

| industry = {{Unbulleted list|Technology|Device Protection|Telecommunications|Retail|Financial Services}}

| services = Device Protection, Warranty, Repairs, Trade-ins, Recycling, Premium Tech Support

| revenue = US $1.2 billion (2023)

| operating_income =

| net_income =

| owner = {{Unbulleted list|Genstar Capital|Brightstar Capital Partners}}

| num_employees = 2,000

| homepage = {{URL|https://likewize.com/}}

}}

Likewize (formerly Brightstar Corp.) is a privately held American corporation founded in 1997 that operates in over 30 countries today. The company offers insurance, warranty, repair, trade-in, recycling, and tech support to telcos, banks, carriers and retailers on smartphones, tablets, laptops and connected devices in the home.

In 2023 Likewize was recognized at the Mobile Industry Awards for the 3rd consecutive year as the best mobile/gadget insurance provider in the industry.

History

File:Brightstar 2020, Rosersbergs industriområde.JPG

Likewize began operations as Brightstar Corp and was founded by Marcelo Claure in 1997.{{Cite web|last=Gale|first=Kevin|date=18 October 2013|title=How Brightstar CEO Marcelo Claure turned a freebie into a $1.26 billion deal|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2013/10/18/how-brightstar-ceo-marcelo-claure.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=South Florida Business Journal}}

Brightstar Corp acquired eSecuritel, an Alpharetta, GA based cell phone insurance provider, from Mainsail Partners in April, 2011.{{Cite web|last=Partners|first=Mainsail|date=2011-04-05|title=Brightstar Corporation Acquires eSecuritel|url=https://mainsailpartners.com/2011/04/05/brightstar-corporation-announces-agreement-to-acquire-esecuritel/|access-date=2020-11-20|website=Mainsail|language=en-US}}

In October 2013, Japanese SoftBank paid $1.26 billion for a 57% stake in Brightstar.{{Cite news|last=Carew|first=Sinead|date=2013-10-18|title=SoftBank to spend $1.26 billion for majority Brightstar stake|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brightstar-softbank-idUSBRE99H0NA20131018|access-date=2020-07-31}}

In February 2014, Brightstar Corp. completed its acquisition of 20:20 Mobile, a European mobile provider.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=5 December 2013|title=BRIGHTSTAR EXPANDS GLOBAL PRESENCE WITH ACQUISITION OF 20:20 MOBILE GROUP IN EUROPE|url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/brightstar-expands-global-presence-acquisition-131601195.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-31|website=Yahoo Finance|language=en-US}}

In July 2014, Brightstar Corp. and Bharti Enterprises announced that they entered into an agreement to have Brightstar acquire a majority stake in Beetel Teletech, a Bharti company.{{Cite news|title=Brightstar acquires majority stake in Bharti Group's Beetel Teletech|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/brightstar-acquires-majority-stake-in-bharti-groups-beetel-teletech/articleshow/38413412.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2020-07-31}}

File:Brightstar Corporation logo.svg

In February 2015, Jaymin Patel was appointed CEO of the company, replacing Claure.{{Cite web|last=Reiser|first=Emon|date=12 July 2018|title=Brightstar Corp. CEO to resign|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2018/07/12/brightstar-corp-ceo-to-resign.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=South Florida Business Journal}}

In June 2018, Brightstar acquired Next Wireless Group, an online seller of used smartphones.{{Cite web|last=Reiser|first=Emon|date=19 June 2018|title=SoftBank Group Corp. subsidiary buys online seller of used smartphones|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2018/06/19/brightstar-corp-buys-next-wireless-group.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=South Florida Business Journal}} In August 2018, Jaymin Patel resigned as CEO of the company. Reza Taleghani, Brightstar's CFO became interim CEO of the company. As of June 2019, Rod Millar is CEO of the company.{{Cite web|last=Sladky|first=Lynne|date=2019-10-25|title=SoftBank hopes new WeWork leader will be 'guided missile' to fix it|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-10-25/softbank-marcelo-claure-fix-wework|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-31|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}

In November 2019, Brightstar acquired Risk Insure which will enable Brightstar "to broaden its portfolio in the wireless industry."{{Cite web|date=2019-11-21|title=BrightStar Corp. Acquires Right Insure|url=https://www.nuwireinvestor.com/brightstar-corp-acquires-right-insure/|access-date=2020-08-24|website=NuWireInvestor|language=en-US}}

In April 2020, the company acquired WeFix.{{Cite web|last=McCaskill|first=Steve|date=21 April 2020|title=Brightstar acquires device repair firm WeFix|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/brightstar-acquires-device-repair-firm-wefix|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-07-31|website=TechRadar|language=en}} Then in September of the same year, SoftBank sold the company to Brightstar Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount.{{Cite news|last1=Narioka|first1=Kosaku|last2=Dvorak|first2=Phred|date=2020-09-18|title=SoftBank Sells Brightstar, Carrying On Its Divestiture Spree|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-sells-brightstar-carrying-on-its-divestiture-spree-11600410882|access-date=2020-10-13|issn=0099-9660}}

In September 2021, the company announced it was rebranding to reflect a new direction. Under the new name “Likewize,” the company on focused on its Protect, Repair, Upgrade and Support capabilities, showcasing its move to provide a range of tech services, in-store and come-to-you repair, recycling and support. {{Cite web|title=Brightstar's transformation into Likewize reflects new focus|url=https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/brightstar-s-transformation-into-likewize-reflects-market|access-date=2021-09-01|website=FierceWireless|date=23 August 2021 |language=en}}

In November 2022, the company announced that Genstar Capital would be joining Likewize’s existing private equity investor, Brightstar Capital Partners, in leading the company’s next phase of growth.

The company's headquarters are located in Dallas, Texas.

References

Category:Companies based in Miami-Dade County, Florida

Category:Telecommunications companies of the United States

Category:SoftBank Group

Category:Telecommunications companies established in 1997

Category:2013 mergers and acquisitions

Category:American subsidiaries of foreign companies