Episode 403: Nick Ornitz & Shannon Kay - Co-Founders, Topline Pro

Nov 10, 2025

Guest

Shannon Kay

Guest

Nick Ornitz

Nick Ornitz and Shannon Kay, co-founders of Topline Pro, share their journey from meeting at Harvard Business School to creating AI-driven tools for home service professionals. They discuss the initial false positive of their concept, Dwelling, and how their pivot led to success. With insights from Y Combinator, they explore the power of AI in automating marketing and operations. The duo highlights the importance of customer feedback and their recent $27M Series B funding, setting the stage for future growth and innovation in service businesses.

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ANECDOTE

Early Pivot From Virtual Visits

Nick and Shannon began with Dwelling, a virtual home-services FaceTime marketplace that launched in early 2020.
Positive homeowner feedback masked a weak business model because pros wanted full-time jobs, not occasional virtual visits.

INSIGHT

GPT Enabled A Done-For-You Funnel

Early access to GPT let Topline Pro automate marketing and create a 'done-for-you' website product for contractors.
AI unlocked scalable, lower-cost services that previously required expensive manual work or agencies.

ADVICE

Ship Fast With Low-Code And AI

Build minimally viable features quickly using low-code and AI to learn what drives value.
Iterate fast, double down on winning offerings, and deepen them over time.

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Episode 403 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Nick Ornitz and Shannon Kay, Co-Founders of Topline Pro. Make something people want is the motto behind Y Combinator. It sounds simple, yet so many founders miss this fundamental requirement. Topline Pro is a perfect case study in getting it right. They didn't fall victim to early false positives; instead, they listened, experimented, and successfully pivoted to solve a true, massive problem for an underserved market. Topline Pro is building AI that empowers local home service pros to grow and scale their businesses. They provide a critical platform to help with the marketing, sales, and operations of running a business in the trades, allowing these business owners to focus on their craft. The company recently announced a $27M Series B funding round led by Northzone, with new participation from Tactile Ventures, and Industry Ventures, alongside continued support from existing investors Forerunner Ventures, Bonfire Ventures, TMV, Flybridge, and BBG Ventures. In this interview, we dive into: * The inspirational backstory of Nick and Shannon and how they decided to build a company together after meeting at HBS. * Their initial concept called Dwelling, the "false positive" they experienced, and the strategic pivot. * Their time at Y Combinator and how early access to GPT opened their eyes to the potential of AI. * The value that Topline Pro is providing customers and the exciting opportunities ahead following their Series B. * Growth plans, hiring goals, and the culture they're building at Topline Pro. * Advice for non-AI native companies that are starting to build out their own AI strategy. * And so much more! Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.