What Kenect does

Kenect is an AI-powered customer engagement and communication platform purpose-built for dealerships across North America. The company's core product unifies business texting (text-to-landline, webchat, broadcast messaging, video chat), AI agents (Voice AI receptionist, Service AI for fixed-operations automation, and Engage AI for long-term customer outreach), a reputation management suite (mass reviews, private feedback, review responses, and managed disputes), and embedded payments (Text-to-Pay and Pay Over Time) into a single inbox that integrates with more than 100 dealership management systems including Lightspeed, CDK, DealerSocket, DealerFX, Talon, and PBS Systems. In March 2025, Kenect acquired Auto Labs, adding AI-native capabilities for fixed operations such as Automated Service Scheduling, Video Multi-Point Inspection, Recall Mining, and telephony.

The company serves approximately 10,000+ dealerships across seven verticals—automotive, powersports, RV, marine, outdoor power, equipment, and trailer—with a particular emphasis on franchised auto dealers and OEM-aligned retailers. Kenect's go-to-market is sales-led, targeting dealership general managers, service managers, and BDC managers through demo-driven conversion, OEM-approved-vendor channels (Harley-Davidson HDDP, FordDirect, GM iMR, Stellantis 100% co-op, Kubota), and a partner referral program. The firm is headquartered in Pleasant Grove, Utah, operates as a private LLC with 251–500 employees, and was founded in 2017, with its AI-focused dealership platform dating to 2021 and supported by a 2021 growth investment from PSG Equity.

Kenect operates a recurring SaaS subscription model at the platform level, augmented by higher-margin managed services—Managed Reputation, Managed Publishing, and Managed Conversations—that add human-assisted review response, social media execution, and 24/7 lead response. Pricing is quote-based and varies by dealership size, vertical, and bundle, with OEM co-op programs (notably Stellantis' 100% Service AI coverage) materially reducing net cost to the dealer and accelerating adoption across large franchise groups.

Name

Kenect

Legal name

Kenect, LLC

Website

https://kenect.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Kenect is an AI-powered customer engagement platform for North American dealerships, unifying business texting, AI voice and service agents, reputation management, and embedded payments. It serves 10,000+ automotive, powersports, RV, marine, and equipment dealers via 100+ DMS integrations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dealership Engagement Software

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

AV/Collaboration & Unified Communications Support (VoIP, Video, UCaaS) (BPAAACAJ)

Keywords

• Dealership engagement software
• AI messaging platform
• Reputation management software
• DMS integration solutions
• Text-to-pay services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pleasant Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. SaaS Platform Subscription: Kenect operates as a SaaS platform with a subscription revenue model. Dealers pay for access to the platform including messaging, AI tools, reputation management, and integrations. The platform is offered at multiple tiers with different product bundles. Revenue is recurring on a monthly or annual subscription basis.
2. Managed Services: Optional managed service add-ons including Managed Reputation (replying to and disputing reviews), Managed Publishing (social media management), and Managed Conversations (24/7 live lead response). These premium services add recurring revenue on top of the base platform subscription.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Kenect is an AI-powered customer engagement and communication platform purpose-built for dealerships. Its core offering combines AI-driven messaging (Service AI, Engage AI, Voice AI), text-to-landline and webchat tools, reputation management, text-to-pay, and managed services on a single SaaS platform that integrates with 100+ DMS/CRM systems. The platform is sold primarily on a subscription basis to automotive, powersports, RV, marine, outdoor power, and equipment dealerships across North America.

Product overview

Kenect is an AI-powered unified platform for dealerships that combines messaging, reputation management, payments, and AI automation. The core platform consists of Service AI (automated service outreach), Engage AI (AI-driven customer engagement), Voice AI (AI receptionist), and Text Messaging (core communication channel). These are supplemented by Reputation Management Suite (including Mass Reviews, Private Feedback, Review Responses, and Reviews Carousel), Payment tools (Text to Pay and Pay Over Time), Content tools (Content Library and Social Media Publishing), and three Managed Services (Managed Reputation, Managed Publishing, and Managed Conversations). Kenect acquired Auto Labs in March 2025, adding Video Multi Point Inspection AI and additional conversational AI capabilities to the platform. The platform integrates with over 100 DMS and CRM systems including Lightspeed, CDK, DealerSocket, DealerFX, and others to serve automotive, powersports, RV, marine, outdoor power, and equipment dealerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Auto Labs: AI-native platform for fixed operations and customer experience acquired by Kenect in March 2025. Includes Automated Service Scheduling, Video Multi-point Inspection, Recall Mining and Telephony.

Products and services

• Service AI
• Engage AI
• Voice AI
• Video Multi-Point Inspection AI
• Text Messaging
• WebChat
• Broadcast Messaging
• Video Chat
• Reputation Management Suite
• Text to Pay
• Pay Over Time
• Social Media Publishing
• Content Library
• Managed Reputation
• Managed Publishing
• Managed Conversations
• Mobile App

Quantifiable outcome

• 260%+ increase in qualified leads generated from dealership websites
• +13 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration20 records

AI capability8 records

Feature18 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Auto LabscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2025Kenect acquired Auto Labs, an AI-native platform focused on fixed operations and customer experience for automotive dealerships. The acquisition added conversational and generative AI capabilities including Automated Service Scheduling, Video Multi-point Inspection, Recall Mining, and Telephony. This strategic acquisition enhanced Kenect's technology stack and positioned it as a leading innovator in the dealership SaaS market. Auto Labs CEO Daniel Gonzales joined the combined entity, with the goal of closing the gap between variable and fixed operations for dealerships.
• Harley-Davidson (HDDP)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerKenect is a certified chat provider for Harley-Davidson through the HDDP (Harley-Davidson Digital Program). Kenect enhances customer experience and drives leads for Harley-Davidson dealerships with seamless integration to systems like TALON, Lightspeed, DP360, and Elead. Kenect automates post-sale and post-service follow-up for Harley-Davidson dealers.
• General Motors (GM iMR)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerKenect is now GM iMR-approved, allowing GM dealers to receive co-op reimbursement for managed reputation services through GM's iMR program. This partnership enables GM dealers to protect their online reputation while utilizing available co-op funds.
• FordDirectcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKenect is a FordDirect approved vendor, enabling Ford dealers to use Kenect for review management and customer engagement with potential co-op marketing support.
• StellantiscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStellantis dealers have access to Kenect Service AI with 100% co-op coverage. Kenect is described as the 'zero-dollar revenue engine' for Stellantis dealers, with conversational AI solutions available at no cost through co-op programs.
• TaloncoreTechnology or IntegrationKenect and Talon partnered to integrate AI-powered call handling into Talon's DMS. The Kenect + Talon integration uses Voice AI to answer, route, and deflect routine service calls so staff can focus on customers in the lane. The integration automatically captures customer information from calls and routes them into Talon.
• DealerFXcoreTechnology or IntegrationKenect's DealerFX integration closes the loop on service scheduling by automatically writing appointments directly into DealerFX. Service AI pulls real-time DealerFX availability, routes appointments to the correct workflow and calendar, and handles appointment modifications and cancellations. This is a writeback integration that eliminates manual data entry.
• LightspeedcoreTechnology or IntegrationKenect integrates with Lightspeed DMS. Dealers using Lightspeed can access Service AI, Voice AI, and Engage AI directly within their DMS workflow. Webinars specifically target Lightspeed dealers to demonstrate AI-powered automation for service scheduling, reminders, and follow-ups.
• KubotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoth Kenect and TracTru are Kubota-approved providers. Kenect targets Kubota dealers for equipment-specific business texting, review generation, and broadcast messaging solutions.
• Green Line DigitalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGreen Line Digital co-presents webinars with Kenect on Google Business Profile optimization for dealerships, providing dealership marketing expertise.
• Garage CompositesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGarage Composites partners with Kenect to provide strategic insights, training, and consulting for powersports and automotive dealers navigating industry changes.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• CARFAX: CARFAX is a vehicle history data provider and ecosystem partner. Kenect's first-of-its-kind CARFAX API integration for verified reviews makes CARFAX an adjacent platform participant in dealership reputation workflows.

Broad incumbents

• DealerSocket (Solera): DealerSocket is a major DMS and CRM vendor for dealerships owned by Solera. It offers messaging, CRM, and engagement tools that overlap with Kenect's product suite and serves many of the same dealer customers.
• VinSolutions (Cox Automotive): VinSolutions is Cox Automotive's CRM and marketing platform for dealerships, including texting, lead management, and engagement features. As a large incumbent owned by Cox Automotive, it competes and overlaps with Kenect across messaging and customer engagement.

Direct peers

• Podium: Podium is a leading messaging and customer communication platform for local businesses, including dealerships. It offers text messaging, webchat, reviews, and AI-powered tools that directly overlap with Kenect's core offerings and target the same dealership and local-business buyers.
• BZ Results: BZ Results is a BDC and customer engagement service provider for automotive dealerships, offering AI-driven lead response and follow-up. It overlaps with Kenect's Service AI, Engage AI, and Managed Conversations offerings.
• Birdeye: Birdeye is a multi-vertical customer experience and reputation management platform with messaging, reviews, and AI response features. It serves local businesses including dealerships and competes directly with Kenect in reputation management, texting, and review automation.
• CallRevu: CallRevu provides call tracking, AI call analytics, and communication tools for automotive dealerships. It overlaps with Kenect's Voice AI and Service AI offerings in the dealership voice and analytics category.
• Repute: Repute (formerly Reputation Repair) is a reputation management platform focused specifically on automotive dealerships. It overlaps with Kenect's reputation suite, including review responses, private feedback workflows, and negative-review removal services.

Emerging players

• Tekion: Tekion is a cloud-native dealer management platform for automotive retail. Its built-in communication, AI, and customer engagement capabilities overlap with parts of Kenect's stack, and as a DMS it represents both a potential partner and competitive threat.
• Drive Centric: Drive Centric is a CRM platform purpose-built for dealerships with built-in messaging, BDC, and engagement tools. It targets the same dealership buyers and overlaps with Kenect on messaging and customer engagement workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kenect