Industry Veteran Jed Katz Joins SmartZip

SmartZip, Inc., a provider of independent ratings and research for real estate investment, has announced the appointment of on-line real estate veteran Jed Katz to its Board of Directors. Katz is managing director at Javelin Venture Partners, which recently invested in SmartZip.

“Jed Katz is a true pioneer of Internet commerce and online real estate, having founded both Rent Net and move.com, two of the first websites to make home-hunting much more efficient and informative,” said Tom Glassanos, SmartZip, Inc. president and CEO in a press release issued by the company. “We are delighted to have the benefit of his seasoned experience and judgment on our Board of Directors.”

Katz recently served on the Technology, Telecom & Media advisory group for President Barack Obama’s campaign. Prior to joining Javelin Venture Partners, Katz was a managing director of DFJ Gotham Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York.

“SmartZip is well positioned to dramatically improve the way people find, evaluate and manage their real estate investments, and I’m very excited to join its Board of Directors,” said Katz. “Investors in residential real estate need much more than just online listings and search tools. SmartZip’s vision of independent, analytics-based property ratings will result in better informed investment decisions.”

SmartZip is developing the first independent, analytics-based ratings and research for real estate investment. The Company’s products will be used by investors and homebuyers to easily rate, compare and confirm the best places and properties to buy. The Company is a privately held, venture backed corporation headquartered in Pleasanton, California and was awarded $2.05 million in funding earlier this year.

smartzip.com has been in alpha testing since March but will be launching its public beta site in a few weeks. Despite this, it has already received much attention, including being a finalist in the Most innovative Web service category in the 2009 Inman News Innovator Awards.

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