Briggs Elwell of RLTYco Acquires Zurp & Empowers 1099 Real Estate Agents

Following a $20 million Series A and strategic acquisition of Zurp’s rewards tech, RLTYco is building a one‑stop platform that levels the playing field for agents nationwide. Most recently, Briggs joined the board of the American Real Estate Association to bring strategic insights to the organization, which was built by real estate agents for the benefit of the industry and the American public. 

A Vision Born from Brokerage Experience

Elwell’s career began at Related, where he gained a deep understanding of development, finance, and brokerage. Witnessing long commission waits and the lack of W‑2‑style perks for 1099 agents, he identified a glaring service gap. “Agents often wait months—or years in commercial to get paid,” he explains. “They deserve access to their pending commissions and the same benefits W‑2 employees enjoy.” This realization led to the development of RLTYco’s flagship product: real-time commission advances through RLTY Capital.

Building an Ecosystem for 1099 Professionals

RLTY Capital was just the start. RLTYco expanded into tax optimization with RLTY Tax, guiding agents to maximize deductions often overlooked by generalist accountants. RLTY Legal followed, structuring entities to avoid unnecessary self‑employment taxes, saving agents up to $15,000 per $100,000 of income. Today, RLTYco offers a comprehensive suite of services, including legal services and healthcare plans tailored to meet the needs of agents. 

 

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Zurp Acquisition: Supercharging RLTY Blue

In late 2024, RLTYco began talks to acquire Zurp, a consumer rewards platform founded by Troy Osinoff. Troy, a former web‑development entrepreneur, built Zurp to offer influencers and everyday users curated reward experiences—from private concerts to exclusive travel perks. Under his leadership, Zurp amassed over 20,000 engaged users and developed a flexible backend capable of managing point accrual, redemption, and partner integrations at scale. Elwell recognized that this robust infrastructure would be ideal for RLTY Blue, RLTYco’s upcoming benefits hub for agents. “Troy’s team engineered a seamless rewards engine—we’re leveraging that technology to deliver discounts and referral income opportunities under one RLTY Co brand,” Elwell notes. 

Series A: Fueling Growth and Scale

RLTYco’s $20 million Series A raised in January underpins its rapid expansion. A significant share went to commission-advancement capital—ever-growing as RLTY Capital scales—while funds also bolstered staffing and technology enhancements. Strategic hires and reinvestment into the core platform ensure RLTYco can serve agents from New York to North Dakota with a consistent, professional experience. High‑profile ambassador Ryan Serhant, renowned in brokerage circles, joined RLTYco to amplify brand trust and agent alignment. “Ryan’s endorsement opens doors and sparks conversations—we hear from agents asking, ‘What’s next?’ Because of his feedback, we know where to innovate.” Serhant’s ongoing counsel helps refine products and outreach, ensuring RLTYco stays in tune with agent pain points. 

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A Hub for Freelancers—Today and Tomorrow

Elwell envisions RLTYco as the go‑to hub for all 1099 professionals. While the initial focus remains squarely on real estate agents—rolling out car insurance discounts and healthcare solutions—future verticals could include contracting trades. “Our model applies anywhere you’re an independent contractor,” he predicts. For now, RLTYco is honing its expertise on the agent community it knows best. 

Dispelling Misconceptions and Elevating the Agent Role

“People undervalue how much work agents put in,” Elwell observes. Many never see a penny for deals that fall through after countless showings and negotiations. Simultaneously, agents are evolving into financial advisors, guiding clients on rates, lending criteria, and market dynamics. RLTYco aims to equip them with the tools to meet these elevated expectations.

 

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Rapid‑Fire Insights

• Biggest Post‑Series A Lesson: Focus on finishing a few high‑impact initiatives rather than experimenting with too many at once.
   
• Most Underrated Feature: Healthcare partnerships—agents rarely realize RLTYco leverages top insurers like UnitedHealthcare for seamless coverage.
   
• Admired Founder: Ankur Jain of Bilt—his community‑driven partnerships mirror RLTYco’s brokerage collaborations.
   
• North Star Metric: Identifying “what’s next” for agents—ensuring each new product addresses a real, unmet need.
   
• Three‑Year Vision: 100,000 agents actively using RLTY Blue’s benefits and engaging in RLTYco’s network.