Open Counter Enterprises Inc.

Founded in 2013 in Illinois, US, Open Counter Enterprises Inc. , a. k. a.

OpenCounter provides digital platforms for permit acquisition and licensing to improve municipal services. In July 2024, Accela, Inc. , a portfolio company of Berkshire Partners and Francisco Partners, acquired Open Counter Enterprises Inc.   OpenCounter offers a comprehensive permit discovery platform designed to streamline the permitting and licensing processes for municipalities and their applicants.

The core product suite includes the business portal, residential portal, special events portal, and zoningcheck solutions, each tailored to address specific user needs. The platform enables applicants ranging from entrepreneurs and homeowners to event planners and city staffs to navigate local regulations, understand necessary permits, and estimate associated costs without direct interaction with city officials. By providing easy access to zoning maps, real-time fee calculations, and clear permit requirements, OpenCounter enhances the efficiency of municipal operations and facilitates compliance among users. The company serves various geographical markets, including cities like Orlando, Cincinnati, and Salt Lake City, focusing on facilitating permitting processes in urban areas across the United States.

OpenCounter's revenue model primarily revolves around subscription-based services that target municipal governments, enabling them to offer streamlined permitting solutions to their constituents. Clients typically engage in partnerships with OpenCounter to integrate its platforms into their existing systems, resulting in a transaction structure that includes annual fees based on the population size of the jurisdiction and the number of portals procured.