https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/30/bench-to-be-acquired-after-abruptly-shutting-down/ [tc-lockup] TechCrunch Desktop Logo [tc-lo] TechCrunch Mobile Logo * Latest * Startups * Venture * Apple * Security * AI * Apps * Events * Podcasts * Newsletters Sign In Search [ ]Submit * Site Search Toggle Mega Menu Toggle Topics Latest AI Amazon Apps Biotech & Health Climate Cloud Computing Commerce Crypto Enterprise EVs Fintech Fundraising Gadgets Gaming Google Government & Policy Hardware Instagram Layoffs Media & Entertainment Meta Microsoft Privacy Robotics Security Social Space Startups TikTok Transportation Venture More from TechCrunch Events Startup Battlefield StrictlyVC Newsletters Podcasts Videos Partner Content TechCrunch Brand Studio Crunchboard Contact Us Sign In BenchImage Credits:Bench Startups Bench to be acquired after abruptly shutting down Charles Rollet 8:55 AM PST * December 30, 2024 Bench, the VC-backed accounting startup that left thousands of customers locked out of their accounts after it suddenly shut down last week, will be acquired by Employer.com for an undisclosed price in a last-minute deal, TechCrunch has exclusively learned. The San Francisco-based HR tech company Employer.com focuses on payroll and onboarding, in contrast to Bench, which specializes in accounting and tax. Employer.com's chief marketing officer Matt Charney told TechCrunch the company will revive Bench's platform and provide instructions for customers to log in and obtain their data. Customers will be given the choice to port their data or keep their service under new ownership, Charney told TechCrunch. Bench's previous recommendation to file for a six-month extension with the Internal Revenue Service to look for a new bookkeeper is no longer needed if customers decide to stay on, Employer.com confirmed. Bench's website, which is still offline at the time of writing, previously touted more than 35,000 "American small business owners" on its platform, according to an archived copy. (Post-publication, Employer.com told TechCrunch that Bench has approximately 12,000 customers.) Bench's website currently reads: "More information on how to continue your services will be available soon." The startup's abrupt shutdown on Friday caused chaos, with customers finding themselves locked out of their accounts right as tax season is set to begin, and emails from TechCrunch to Bench employees bouncing back. TechCrunch confirmed the acquisition with a Bench board member. Neither Bench nor Employer.com would comment on the acquisition price. Employer.com is a new company: Its CEO, Jesse Tinsley, announced his acquisition of the domain name in November for about $450,000. Tinsley is behind a host of HR, onboarding, and recruiting-related businesses, including Recruiter.com and BountyJobs. In a post on December 11, Tinsley said that the company is "still acquiring companies" in the HR space. Employer.com is not VC-backed and is entirely self-funded, Charney told TechCrunch. In a statement announcing the acquisition, Employer.com said Bench customers can expect to continue "working with the same expert in-house bookkeepers they know and trust." "This acquisition ensures that Bench customers can continue relying on the same high-quality service they've always received, while also opening the door to future enhancements and capabilities powered by Employer.com's extensive resources," Employer.com's statement said. That may be tricky in practice. Bench employed more than 600 people, according to its website, some of whom posted on LinkedIn after the shutdown notice that they were now looking for work. Bench is now starting to call "many" -- but not all -- of its employees back to work to ensure continuity, Jennifer Bouyoukos, Bench's chief people officer, told TechCrunch. TechCrunch archived Bench's original shutdown notice from December 27 below: A screenshot copy of the Bench notice to customers that it's closing down, as of December 27. it reads: "We regret to inform you that as of December 27, 2024, the Bench platform will no longer be accessible. We know this news is abrupt and may cause disruption, so we're committed to helping Bench customers navigate through the transition. "From the entire team at Bench, it has been an absolute privilege to serve small businesses for the last 13 years. Thank you for being part of our journey."A copy of the Bench notice of service closure on December 27, 2024.Image Credits:Bench / TechCrunch screenshot Topics bench, Employer.com, Exclusive, hr, HR tech, Startups Charles Rollet Charles Rollet Senior Reporter @CharlesRollet1 Charles Rollet is a senior reporter at TechCrunch. His investigative reporting has led to U.S. government sanctions against four tech companies, including China's largest AI firm. Prior to joining TechCrunch, Charles covered the surveillance industry for IPVM. Charles is based in San Francisco, where he enjoys hiking with his dogs. You can contact Charles securely on Signal at charlesrollet.12 or +1-628-282-2811. View Bio Most Popular * Apple TV+ will be free to stream this weekend + Aisha Malik * Bench to be acquired after abruptly shutting down + Charles Rollet * Nvidia's next move: Powering humanoid robots + Connie Loizos * AI data centers could be 'distorting' the US power grid + Anthony Ha * India's mobile payments dilemma + Manish Singh * Africa's newest fintech unicorns are winning by keeping their feet on the ground + Tage Kene-Okafor * Bench shuts down, leaving thousands of businesses without access to accounting and tax docs + Charles Rollet Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry's biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch's coverage. 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