Owner Resource Group Teams Up with Smart City Locating, Inc.
Owner Resource Group, LLC, an Austin-based private investment firm, has announced that its affiliates have completed a strategic investment in Smart City Locating, Inc., a leading provider of property locating services in the United States.
Founded in 2013 by Cassie Brown, Smart City has established itself as a market leader in the property locating industry. The company specializes in helping individuals find rental properties while also supporting property managers in reducing vacancies efficiently. Over the years, Smart City has built a strong reputation for delivering reliable, customer-focused services and has become a trusted partner to leading property management firms across the country.
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Smart City has experienced significant growth since its inception. From its early beginnings, the company has expanded its operations to nine markets across five U.S. states, reflecting its strong demand and scalable business model. Its rapid expansion highlights both the effectiveness of its service offering and the increasing need for professional property locating solutions in competitive rental markets.
The investment by ORG marks an important milestone in Smart City’s journey, as it represents the company’s first external investment since its founding. According to Smart City CEO and founder Cassie Brown, the partnership with ORG aligns closely with the company’s values and long-term vision.
“Taking on outside investment is a major milestone for Smart City — the first in our company’s history,” said Brown. “From the beginning, it was clear ORG was the right partner. They were thoughtful, curious, and deeply aligned with how we think about building a company. ORG doesn’t just invest in businesses; they invest in culture, mission, and purpose, which is exactly how we’ve built Smart City.”
As part of the transaction, ORG has partnered with Smart City’s existing management team to recapitalize the business. The structure of the deal ensures that current leadership, including Brown, will retain meaningful ownership in the company and continue to guide its day-to-day operations. This approach reflects ORG’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurial leadership while providing strategic capital to fuel future expansion.
ORG has stated that it is particularly focused on helping Smart City accelerate its growth strategy. The firm plans to support both organic expansion in existing markets and entry into new geographic regions. With increasing demand for streamlined property locating services, both companies see strong potential for scaling Smart City’s platform nationwide.
“Smart City is a leader in their industry, and their unique culture and excellent reputation for service make them a valued partner to both property managers and tenants,” said ORG Managing Partner Jon Gormin. “We are thrilled to partner with this innovative and customer-focused team to accelerate growth.”
Industry observers note that property locating services have become increasingly important in urban rental markets, where high demand and limited supply make efficient vacancy filling essential for property managers. Smart City’s technology-enabled approach and strong customer relationships position it well within this growing segment.
The transaction was supported by several advisory and financial partners. ORG was represented by Queen Saenz + Schutz PLLC, with Wintrust Bank, N.A. serving as the financing partner for the deal. On the other side, Cascadia Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Smart City, while Barnes & Thornburg LLP served as its legal counsel.
With this new partnership, Smart City Locating is expected to strengthen its operational capabilities, expand its geographic footprint, and continue delivering high-quality property locating services. The collaboration between ORG and Smart City signals a shared commitment to innovation, growth, and long-term value creation in the real estate services sector.
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
