FlockU gets acquired, executive team to build ‘new things’

FlockU, a Philly-based online content platform aimed at college students founded in 2016, has been acquired by Connecticut-based Becker Associates LLC.

No financial details were disclosed from the deal but FlockU CEO Josh Verne said “both sides were happy” with the deal. FlockU was funded by Verne and partner David Adelman, cofounder of FS Investments. Also on the executive team is Brian Selander, former Whistle Sports EVP and Chief Strategy Officer for the State of Delaware under ex-Gov. Jack Markell.

FlockU reportedly engages 4 million college students every month with content aimed at offering “the straight, unvarnished truth with every uncomfortable, too-real detail included.” The site monetizes its content thanks to deals with clients like Match.com, Amazon, DirecTV and T-Mobile, among others.

“Brands are looking for new content and ways to engage in a genuine way with their customers and become part of the conversations they’re having with each other,” said Becker Associates CEO Patti Becker. “That authenticity is a key part of FlockU’s appeal and focus.”

Citing confidentiality of the deal conditions, Verne declined to disclose the size of the company’s team — based out of 4040 Locust with First Round Capital as neighbors — but said the executive team and the Philly-based staff would all come aboard an upcoming new company, which is still to be announced.

“We have new things to work on,” Selander said. “But we’ll stay involved with Becker Associates to help FlockU succeed.”

Selander and Verne declined to reveal more details about the new venture, but the emails they used to reach out to Technical.ly were under the domain name Ownable.us, which leads to the site of an “eCommerce company committed to delivering working families access to great brands at affordable prices on the items most critical to keep their lives moving forward.”

Per WHOIS, the domain name was registered by Jon Dorfman, a FlockU cofounder whose LinkedIn profile currently lists him as cofounder and “Chief Risk & Financial Officer” at Ownable.

“Ownable is a more affordable way for working families an individuals to rent to own the critical items they need to keep their lives running — computers, appliances, consumer electronics and furniture,” the company’s LinkedIn page reads.

Also listed as staffers at Ownable, per their LinkedIn profiles, are Chatham Financial and Moven alum Keith Elliott, who’s listed as CTO, and Courtney Thom, a former FlockU staffer who’s Director of Enterprise.