MORE►
Bestow
Bestow Co-Founders Melbourne O’Banion, CEO, left, and Jonathan Abelmann, president, sit in their Dallas office. [Photo: Bestow]
Bestow Launches Lab Team as Carriers Push to Modernize
by Lauren Lawley Head | Aug 6, 2026
The Dallas-based insurance innovator has created ‘a sandbox to experiment’ with AI-native product development separate from the regulated infrastructure on which top carriers depend.
by David Seeley |
Apr 9, 2026
Dallas-based Bestow said Meagan Ward strengthens its senior leadership team as the company expands its "product offerings, platform capabilities, and strategic partnerships" following the 2025 close of its $120 million Series D round.
MORE►
by Lance Murray |
Oct 23, 2025
Cindy DeArmond is frequently sought after by Fortune 500 companies and industry associations for her expertise in digital transformation, emerging technology, data analytics, and AI/GenAI strategy, the Dallas-based insurance tech platform said.
MORE►
by Lance Murray |
May 13, 2025
The round—co-led by Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Smith Point Capital and including a $50 million credit facility—"strengthens Bestow's position as the preferred partner for life insurance and annuity providers seeking to modernize and scale," said Bestow CEO Melbourne O'Banion.
MORE►
Photo: Michael Samples
Meet the Winners:
D CEO, Dallas Innovates Honor Top Innovators at 2024 Awards
by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report | Jan 25, 2024
At the annual Innovation Awards event, Dallas Innovates and D CEO revealed the winners in 17 categories and recognized all 74 North Texas finalists.
MORE►
by Quincy Preston |
Sep 27, 2023
The rebrand "marks the start of our next chapter of growth," says Venture Dallas Chair Aaron Pierce. The nonprofit's 2023 summit, backed by JPMorgan Chase and Perot Jain, is set for October 25.
MORE►
by Lance Murray |
Aug 14, 2023
BeautyBio, known for merging skincare with unique beauty tools, transformed the at-home beauty scene and grew a devoted following. Now the "Truth in Beauty" brand, founded by model and entrepreneur Jamie O'Banion in 2011, is starting a new chapter.
MORE►
by Lance Murray |
Jul 11, 2023
The fast-growing company took the U.S. lead on Forbes’ World's Best Life Insurance Companies list. We caught up with Melbourne O’Banion, Bestow's Co-Founder and CEO, (left) for insight into what has driven the startup's rise to the top.
MORE►
D CEO and Dallas Innovates have announced the 2023 Innovation Awards Finalists
Meet the Finalists: The Innovation Awards 2023, Presented by Dallas Innovates and D CEO
by Lance Murray | Nov 3, 2022
Now in its fourth year, the program from Dallas Innovates and D CEO honors 68 disruptors and trailblazers driving a new vision for innovation in North Texas.
Finalists will be recognized in the January/February issue of D CEO magazine and online at DallasInnovates.com. Winners will be revealed at an exclusive awards event in January.
MORE►
by David Seeley |
Jun 15, 2022
Great Place to Work and Fortune Magazine have released their list of the 2022 Best Workplaces in Texas—and 32 of them are in North Texas. Honored locals include 10 of the 25 large companies on the list, and 22 of the 50 small and medium companies.
Here's the list of locals.
Here's the list of locals.
MORE►
by Kevin Cummings |
May 10, 2022
Inc. Magazine has unveiled its annual list of America's Best Workplaces, and nine companies from the Dallas-Fort Worth area are on the list—ranging from early-stage companies to those with workforces in the hundreds.
MORE►
by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report |
Oct 26, 2021
Now in its third year, the program from Dallas Innovates and D CEO honors 78 disruptors and trailblazers driving a new vision for innovation in North Texas.
MORE►
![Bestow CEO and Co-founder Melbourne O'Banion [Image: Courtesy Fort Lion Studio]](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Melbourne_Bestow-FORT1598-940x436.jpg)
Bestow CEO and Co-founder Melbourne O'Banion [Image: Courtesy Fort Lion Studio]
Dallas-Based Life Insurance Startup Bestow Lands $70 Million Series C
by Quincy Preston | Dec 16, 2020
The insurance innovator has raised $145 million in total funding to date as it readies for expansion. In 2020, Bestow has closed a $50M Series B round, launched a nonprofit, and acquired Centurion Life Insurance Company.
MORE►
by Alex Edwards |
Dec 1, 2020
With Iowa-based Centurion Life Insurance Company's licensing in 47 states and the District of Columbia, the acquisition could allow Bestow to become a nationally licensed carrier.
MORE►
by Alex Edwards |
Apr 23, 2020
Through the Bestow Foundation, the Dallas-based digital life insurance startup will give financial support to those in need during a crisis or disaster. First up is a donation to the CDC Foundation to help combat COVID-19.
MORE►
by Alex Edwards |
Feb 4, 2020
Jamie's BeautyBio and Melbourne's Bestow are two Dallas-based startups in the cosmetic and life insurance industries, respectively. But while they both hold the same job—CEO and co-founder—the power couple, dubbed MOJO, makes it work by operating as a team.
MORE►
