Compass COMP

Founded in 2012 by Robert Reffkin and Ori Allon, Compass has made a name for itself as the real estate brokerage equivalent of a Silicon Valley startup that turned the industry’s clipboard-toting brokers into tech-savvy deal-makers. Known for its slick, app-driven approach to buying and selling homes, Compass set the real estate world abuzz with its promise of merging high-tech solutions with old-school charm, and a hefty $6.4 billion valuation. Their defining moment came in 2019 with a splashy IPO that suggested it was more than just another real estate fad. But don’t be fooled by the glossy veneer; Compass has faced its fair share of drama, including aggressive expansion tactics that made it the “bad boy” of real estate and a slew of high-profile departures. Under Reffkin's leadership, the company has danced on the edge of scandal with lawsuits alleging poaching of agents and questionable business practices. Yet despite a rollercoaster of legal woes and internal squabbles, Compass continues to be the go-to for those who think real estate can be revolutionized by a well-timed tech pivot and a touch of brash ambition.